Constructing a sauna in your yard feels like a dream, doesn’t it? An ideal, cozy escape from the hustle and bustle of every day life. Someplace you possibly can unwind, calm down, and benefit from the therapeutic advantages of warmth remedy. No less than, that’s what I assumed after I determined to tackle the challenge of constructing my very own sauna.
I envisioned a fast weekend challenge, a day of hammering away, and earlier than I knew it, I’d have a good looking little oasis of heat and wellness in my yard.
Spoiler alert: I used to be unsuitable.
Seems that constructing a sauna isn’t so simple as throwing some wooden collectively and plugging in a heater. It’s a course of that requires planning, persistence, and an entire lot of studying alongside the way in which. I’m so glad I caught with it, regardless of the challenges and setbacks. The ultimate result’s greater than value it, plus I bought some nice instances with associates, and also you get to learn this overly-detailed weblog publish!
On this publish, I stroll you thru my sauna-building journey, sharing the teachings I realized the exhausting method. From understanding the distinctive Finnish model of sauna constructing to selecting the right warmth supply (and sure, a LOT about air flow). So, seize a cup of tea, get comfy, and let’s dive into how I constructed my very own outside sauna—and what I realized within the course of.
Why Sauna?
Earlier than we bounce into the step-by-step of constructing a sauna, let me let you know why I made a decision to tackle this challenge within the first place.
For those who’re something like me, you’ve most likely learn concerning the quite a few well being advantages of sauna use. The whole lot from bettering circulation and relieving muscle stress to boosting your immune system and detoxifying your physique. I’ve stated many instances that if the sauna had been a capsule, we’d all take it. However because it isn’t, I made a decision to construct one!
A 2015 Finnish research checked out the advantages of sauna 4-7 instances per week, and for this to be even remotely sensible, a house sauna is absolutely useful. In fact, there are sauna kits and pre-made saunas, and I hyperlink to all those I’ve tried and appreciated under. It’s really an embarrassingly great amount. However I like doing issues the powerful method, so DIY it was.
Lesson 1: Planning Is Key (And Even Then, It’s Nonetheless Onerous)
The primary lesson I realized was that planning is essential in relation to constructing a sauna. Even with the very best intentions, issues don’t at all times go as easily as you hope. I assumed I had every little thing mapped out completely. I measured the house in my yard, researched supplies, and even watched just a few YouTube movies on do it your self sauna constructing. A DIY sauna challenge could be a weekend challenge—nothing too loopy, proper?
However right here’s the factor: it’s simple to miss all of the small particulars whenever you’re caught up within the pleasure. The complexity of the sauna development began to turn into clear fairly shortly. There are such a lot of elements to think about whenever you construct it your self, from the inspiration to the insulation to the sauna door. One of many largest challenges I encountered was getting the sauna to be correctly insulated. Saunas are all about retaining warmth. With out the appropriate insulation, all the trouble you place into constructing the construction received’t outcome within the cozy heat you’re after.
I additionally realized that constructing a sauna is a bit like fixing a puzzle—it requires a number of trial and error. Particularly whenever you’re working with totally different constructing supplies and determining tips on how to match every little thing collectively. The method wasn’t quick, and it undoubtedly wasn’t simple, however the satisfaction of finishing one thing by handcrafted all of it value it in the long run. (Unrelated: I additionally realized that I’m not the very best at spacial drawing and mapping out dimensions. Fortunately, that ended up all being fixable, although the sauna grew a few ft within the course of… whoops!).
The constructing supplies I used after a lot analysis:
- Untreated pine lumber because the body
- Smartside siding on the skin for sturdiness
- Mineral wool as a non-toxic insulation contained in the partitions (as a substitute of fiberglass)
- Aluminum vapor barrier on the within as soon as insulation was put in
- Exhaust fan for mechanical downdraft
- Alder wooden and a few cedar for the inside and sauna benches
- Two 4-light infrared panes from Creatrix for purple gentle and close to infrared: https://www.creatrixaffiliates.com/208.html (sure, this technically breaks the principles of a pure conventional Finnish sauna, however my pores and skin loves it, so it’s staying)
- Huum heater (extra on that later)
These identical supplies can be utilized to refinish/repurpose an current outbuilding. Simply make sure all handled wooden and something that may offgas is sealed throughout the vapor barrier. Or, as I did, these supplies can be utilized to construct a sauna from scratch.
Lesson 2: The Finnish Type of Sauna Constructing
One of the vital essential issues I found throughout this challenge was the Finns model of sauna constructing. Finland is the birthplace of the sauna, and their conventional saunas are the gold normal for sauna lovers worldwide. To actually recognize the artwork of sauna constructing, I knew I needed to perceive the ideas behind it.
In a Finnish-style sauna, there are two fundamental parts that make it really distinctive: warmth and air flow.
Warmth: The Secret to Sauna Remedy
The warmth in a sauna is what provides you that satisfying, enjoyable expertise. It’s additionally what makes the sauna such a strong device for selling well being and well-being. When constructing my sauna, I had to consider tips on how to generate the correct of warmth. This wasn’t nearly selecting a heater (we’ll get to that later) however about creating an surroundings the place the warmth could be evenly distributed all through the room.
Conventional Finnish saunas typically use wood-burning stoves to generate warmth. Nevertheless, there are different choices, like electrical heaters, that may work simply as nicely. The secret is to make sure the warmth is ready to flow into successfully, making a constant temperature. That is the place the correct design and insulation come into play and the place I bumped into just a few hiccups early on.
On the subject of the well being research on sauna advantages, the primary mechanism studied and recognized is the warmth itself. It’s up for debate if infrared sauna offers a “deeper warmth” or helps with detox. But the information is obvious that with the correct quantity of warmth and time, sauna might be very useful.
Because of this, I knew I had to ensure the sauna might get to 170 levels at a minimal. I then added the infrared/purple lights as a bonus.
Correct Air flow: The Lacking Piece in Many Saunas
Now, right here’s one thing I didn’t absolutely recognize earlier than I began constructing my sauna: it’s not simply the warmth that makes a sauna efficient, it’s the air flow. In truth, I shortly realized that warmth alone just isn’t sufficient to stop fatigue or discomfort throughout sauna use. It’s really the CO2 buildup within the room that may trigger us to really feel drained or lightheaded. Try my podcast with Mike Feldstein the place we delve extra into CO2 right here.
To keep away from this, it’s important to have correct air flow. That is the place the downdraft system is available in. There are two fundamental forms of downdraft: mechanical downdraft and guide downdraft.
- Mechanical downdraft makes use of a fan or vent system to flow into the air and take away extra CO2 from the sauna. This can be a extra trendy resolution and might be efficient in guaranteeing the air stays recent and breathable.
- Handbook downdraft is the standard method, the place you depend on strategically positioned vents to permit recent air to circulation into the sauna naturally. Many pre-made saunas both don’t have air flow or depend on this sort.
I selected the mechanical downdraft technique for my sauna as a result of I knew we’d wish to have longer sauna periods and have the ability to host greater teams. By putting in a vent above the heater and a fan below the bench, I used to be in a position to enable for the proper circulation of air and hold the CO2 ranges in examine. This setup not solely made the sauna extra comfy to make use of but in addition ensured that the warmth remained environment friendly.
Lesson 3: The Regulation of Löyly – Why I Selected Taller Partitions and an Elevated Bench
One of many key design decisions I made when constructing my sauna was to go for a taller construction with 8-foot partitions. This choice was pushed by a deep respect for the standard Finnish sauna expertise and a want to honor the regulation of löyly—the tenet of sauna warmth distribution.
In Finland, the sauna is rather more than only a room with a heater; it’s a ritual and a science. The Finnish idea of löyly refers back to the comfortable, enveloping warmth and the sense of heat that fills the house when the sauna is correctly designed. It’s all about making a harmonious stability between the temperature and the airflow. This manner, the warmth circulates evenly all through the room. The regulation of löyly emphasizes the significance of warmth rising to the higher benches, guaranteeing that the individual sitting there enjoys the very best of the sauna’s warmth.
In conventional Finnish saunas, the higher bench—the place individuals usually sit to benefit from the sauna—is positioned above the heater, permitting the physique to be uncovered to the most well liked air. To make this occur, the sauna should have sufficient peak to permit the warmth to rise naturally and envelop the person. I ensured that the higher bench could be positioned on the excellent peak by choosing 8-foot partitions. This allowed my ft to take a seat at or above the extent of the sauna rocks, the supply of the warmth.
It wasn’t nearly creating extra room; it was about aligning the sauna with the ideas of löyly. This positioning permits the warmth to rise and flow into across the physique, creating an immersive expertise of heat with out overheating or discomfort.
The Advantages of Taller Partitions and Elevated Benches
- Even Warmth Distribution: The principle purpose I selected a taller sauna was to provide the warmth room to rise and unfold evenly. With the higher bench positioned larger than the heater and the person’s ft positioned at or above the extent of the sauna rocks, the nice and cozy air naturally fills the higher a part of the sauna. The air then creates a extra constant and delicate warmth. This setup encourages higher warmth circulation. Your physique additionally stays heat from head to toe whereas avoiding the discomfort of sizzling spots or cool zones.
- A Extra Genuine Finnish Expertise: In Finland, saunas are an artwork kind, and the expertise is all about stability. Taller partitions and correct bench positioning make sure you’re sitting in the appropriate place to really feel the true essence of löyly. The rising warmth ought to fill the room naturally, creating that signature soothing heat important to the Finnish sauna expertise. After I sat on the higher bench of my sauna for the primary time, I instantly felt the distinction. There was a clean, enveloping heat that felt prefer it got here from throughout, not simply from the heater under.
- Improved Air flow and Airflow: By permitting the warmth to rise and flow into freely all through the sauna, the design additionally helps with air flow. Taller partitions create an area the place the hotter air rises naturally and the cooler air flows downward, selling the perfect change of air. That is particularly essential in conventional saunas the place guide downdraft air flow performs a vital function in guaranteeing recent, breathable air.
- Comfy and Stress-free: When your ft are positioned at or above the extent of the sauna rocks, it additionally permits for a extra relaxed sitting posture. You’re not sitting too low to the bottom, which suggests you’re uncovered to extra of the nice and cozy, rising air. This setup helps create a extra comfy and therapeutic sauna session. Right here you possibly can really calm down and really feel the total advantages of the warmth.
Lesson 4: Selecting the Proper Heater
One of the vital essential selections I made in the course of the constructing course of was choosing the proper heater. In any case, that is the guts of the sauna expertise. The precise heater could make all of the distinction in relation to warmth high quality, power effectivity, and general expertise.
I did a number of analysis earlier than deciding on a heater, and in the end, I went with the HUUM Hive heater. Right here’s why:
- Power Effectivity: The HUUM Hive is designed to be extremely energy-efficient. This implies I can get pleasure from lengthy sauna periods with out worrying about excessive power payments. It additionally heats up shortly and evenly, offering a cushty and constant temperature.
- Design: The glossy, trendy design of the HUUM Hive suits completely with the aesthetic I needed for my sauna. It’s minimalist but trendy and provides to the general ambiance of the house.
- Efficiency: The HUUM Hive makes use of high-quality stones to generate warmth. This helps preserve a constant temperature and create that comfortable, enveloping heat I really like.
- Measurement: The HUUM Hive is available in varied sizes, which was excellent for my sauna. I used to be in a position to decide on the appropriate dimension primarily based on the house I had accessible and the extent of warmth I needed to attain.
The heater dimension could be very particular to the dimensions of the sauna and the specified temperature. This heater wouldn’t be applicable for smaller saunas and there are extra budget-friendly choices for heating smaller saunas. I used this heater from Vevor after I needed to change the heater in my barrel sauna.
Right here’s tips on how to calculate the dimensions of a sauna heater:
- Measure the quantity of your sauna room in cubic ft.
- As a normal rule of thumb, allocate 1 kilowatt (kW) of heating energy for each 50 cubic ft of house. Basically, divide the cubic footage by 50 to get the required heater dimension in kW. At all times spherical as much as the closest accessible heater dimension if mandatory.
- You too can use a device like this one to calculate your heater dimension.
Lesson 4: Study Some Endurance
I believe one of many largest classes I realized all through this course of is the significance of downtime and persistence. When issues don’t go based on plan, it’s simple to get annoyed. Nevertheless, taking a step again and permitting issues to come back collectively slowly could make all of the distinction. There have been loads of days after I was tempted to hurry via the challenge, however in the long run, I’m so glad I didn’t.
The method of constructing my sauna took longer than I anticipated, but it surely gave me the chance to make changes, enhance my design, and be taught alongside the way in which. Now, I’m in a position to recognize the top outcome much more as a result of I understand how a lot effort went into making it excellent.
The Closing End result
After months of labor (and a few occasional setbacks), my yard sauna is lastly full. Effectively, aside from the ultimate roof, however that’s a narrative for an additional day. It’s a comfortable, heat, and alluring house the place I can escape from the world and concentrate on my well-being. Each time I step inside, I’m reminded of the teachings I realized, the errors I made, and the enjoyment of constructing one thing with my very own arms.
For those who’re contemplating constructing your individual sauna, I hope this publish has given you some useful insights and sensible ideas. Constructing a sauna isn’t simple, however the finish result’s completely value it.
Don’t Wish to Construct?
If my expertise deterred you from wanting to construct one (wouldn’t blame you for that), I’ve additionally tried a number of different forms of saunas through the years. These have included varied sizes of moveable, pre-made, indoor saunas, and build-from-kit saunas. A few of these embody wooden burning saunas, whereas others are moveable, private saunas (like a blanket).
These are those I’ve tried and would suggest:
Do you utilize a sauna? Is that this one thing you’d prefer to attempt or incorporate extra into your well being routine? Depart a remark and let me know!
