Constructing a sauna in your yard feels like a dream, doesn’t it? An ideal, cozy escape from the hustle and bustle of each day life. Someplace you may unwind, loosen up, and benefit from the therapeutic advantages of warmth remedy. A minimum of, that’s what I believed once I determined to tackle the mission of constructing my very own sauna.
I envisioned a fast weekend mission, a day of hammering away, and earlier than I knew it, I’d have an exquisite little oasis of heat and wellness in my yard.
Spoiler alert: I used to be mistaken.
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, endurance, and a complete lot of studying alongside the best way. I’m so glad I caught with it, regardless of the challenges and setbacks. The ultimate result’s greater than value it, plus I obtained some nice occasions 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 discovered the onerous method. From understanding the distinctive Finnish fashion 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 out of doors sauna—and what I discovered within the course of.
Why Sauna?
Earlier than we leap into the step-by-step of constructing a sauna, let me let you know why I made a decision to tackle this mission within the first place.
If you happen to’re something like me, you’ve in all probability learn concerning the quite a few well being advantages of sauna use. Every part from bettering circulation and relieving muscle pressure to boosting your immune system and detoxifying your physique. I’ve stated many occasions 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 examine checked out the advantages of sauna 4-7 occasions every week, and for this to be even remotely sensible, a house sauna is actually useful. In fact, there are sauna kits and pre-made saunas, and I hyperlink to all those I’ve tried and appreciated beneath. It’s truly an embarrassingly great amount. However I like doing issues the robust method, so DIY it was.
Lesson 1: Planning Is Key (And Even Then, It’s Nonetheless Laborious)
The primary lesson I discovered was that planning is essential in terms of constructing a sauna. Even with the very best intentions, issues don’t all the time go as easily as you hope. I believed I had every little thing mapped out completely. I measured the area in my yard, researched supplies, and even watched a couple of YouTube movies on do it your self sauna constructing. A DIY sauna mission can be a weekend mission—nothing too loopy, proper?
However right here’s the factor: it’s simple to miss all of the small particulars if 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 components to think about if you construct it your self, from the muse to the insulation to the sauna door. One of many greatest challenges I encountered was getting the sauna to be correctly insulated. Saunas are all about retaining warmth. With out the appropriate insulation, all the hassle you set into constructing the construction gained’t end result within the cozy heat you’re after.
I additionally discovered that constructing a sauna is a bit like fixing a puzzle—it requires quite a lot of trial and error. Particularly if you’re working with completely different constructing supplies and determining easy methods to match every little thing collectively. The method wasn’t quick, and it positively wasn’t simple, however the satisfaction of finishing one thing by handcrafted all of it value it in the long run. (Unrelated: I additionally discovered 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 toes 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 crimson 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 be certain all handled wooden and something that may offgas is sealed inside the vapor barrier. Or, as I did, these supplies can be utilized to construct a sauna from scratch.
Lesson 2: The Finnish Fashion of Sauna Constructing
One of the vital essential issues I found throughout this mission was the Finns fashion of sauna constructing. Finland is the birthplace of the sauna, and their conventional saunas are the gold customary for sauna fanatics worldwide. To actually admire the artwork of sauna constructing, I knew I needed to perceive the rules behind it.
In a Finnish-style sauna, there are two principal components that make it actually distinctive: warmth and air flow.
Warmth: The Secret to Sauna Remedy
The warmth in a sauna is what provides you that satisfying, stress-free expertise. It’s additionally what makes the sauna such a robust device for selling well being and well-being. When constructing my sauna, I had to consider easy methods to generate the proper of warmth. This wasn’t nearly selecting a heater (we’ll get to that later) however about creating an surroundings the place the warmth can be evenly distributed all through the room.
Conventional Finnish saunas usually use wood-burning stoves to generate warmth. Nevertheless, there are different choices, like electrical heaters, that may work simply as effectively. The hot button 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 a couple of hiccups early on.
In the case of the well being research on sauna advantages, the principle 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 info is evident that with the correct amount of warmth and time, sauna could be very useful.
Because of this, I knew I had to verify the sauna may get to 170 levels at a minimal. I then added the infrared/crimson lights as a bonus.
Correct Air flow: The Lacking Piece in Many Saunas
Now, right here’s one thing I didn’t totally admire earlier than I began constructing my sauna: it’s not simply the warmth that makes a sauna efficient, it’s the air flow. The truth is, I shortly discovered that warmth alone is just not sufficient to forestall fatigue or discomfort throughout sauna use. It’s truly 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 principal kinds of downdraft: mechanical downdraft and handbook downdraft.
- Mechanical downdraft makes use of a fan or vent system to flow into the air and take away extra CO2 from the sauna. It is a extra trendy answer and could be efficient in making certain the air stays contemporary and breathable.
- Handbook downdraft is the standard method, the place you depend on strategically positioned vents to permit contemporary air to move into the sauna naturally. Many pre-made saunas both don’t have air flow or depend on this sort.
I selected the mechanical downdraft methodology for my sauna as a result of I knew we’d need to have longer sauna periods and have the ability to host greater teams. By putting in a vent above the heater and a fan underneath the bench, I used to be in a position to enable for the right move of air and maintain the CO2 ranges in test. 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 Legislation of Löyly – Why I Selected Taller Partitions and an Elevated Bench
One of many key design selections I made when constructing my sauna was to go for a taller construction with 8-foot partitions. This determination was pushed by a deep respect for the standard Finnish sauna expertise and a want to honor the regulation of löyly—the guideline 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 tender, enveloping warmth and the sense of heat that fills the area 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, making certain that the particular person sitting there enjoys the very best of the sauna’s warmth.
In conventional Finnish saunas, the higher bench—the place folks sometimes 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 top to permit the warmth to rise naturally and envelop the consumer. I ensured that the higher bench can be positioned on the good top by choosing 8-foot partitions. This allowed my toes 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 rules 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 cause I selected a taller sauna was to offer the warmth room to rise and unfold evenly. With the higher bench positioned greater than the heater and the consumer’s toes 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 easy, enveloping heat that felt prefer it got here from throughout, not simply from the heater beneath.
- 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 handbook downdraft air flow performs a vital position in making certain contemporary, breathable air.
- Comfy and Enjoyable: When your toes 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 implies 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 may actually loosen up and really feel the complete advantages of the warmth.
Lesson 4: Selecting the Proper Heater
One of the vital essential choices I made through 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 terms of warmth high quality, power effectivity, and total expertise.
I did quite a lot of analysis earlier than selecting a heater, and finally, I went with the HUUM Hive heater. Right here’s why:
- Vitality Effectivity: The HUUM Hive is designed to be extremely energy-efficient. This implies I can take pleasure in lengthy sauna periods with out worrying about excessive power payments. It additionally heats up shortly and evenly, offering a snug and constant temperature.
- Design: The glossy, trendy design of the HUUM Hive matches completely with the aesthetic I wished for my sauna. It’s minimalist but fashionable and provides to the general ambiance of the area.
- Efficiency: The HUUM Hive makes use of high-quality stones to generate warmth. This helps preserve a constant temperature and create that tender, enveloping heat I really like.
- Dimension: The HUUM Hive is available in varied sizes, which was good for my sauna. I used to be ready to decide on the appropriate dimension primarily based on the area I had accessible and the extent of warmth I wished to attain.
The heater dimension could be very particular to the dimensions of the sauna and the specified temperature. This heater wouldn’t be acceptable for smaller saunas and there are extra budget-friendly choices for heating smaller saunas. I used this heater from Vevor once I needed to exchange the heater in my barrel sauna.
Right here’s easy methods to calculate the dimensions of a sauna heater:
- Measure the quantity of your sauna room in cubic toes.
- As a basic rule of thumb, allocate 1 kilowatt (kW) of heating energy for each 50 cubic toes of area. Basically, divide the cubic footage by 50 to get the required heater dimension in kW. All the time spherical as much as the closest accessible heater dimension if obligatory.
- You can too use a device like this one to calculate your heater dimension.
Lesson 4: Study Some Endurance
I believe one of many greatest classes I discovered all through this course of is the significance of downtime and endurance. When issues don’t go in response to plan, it’s simple to get pissed off. Nevertheless, taking a step again and permitting issues to return collectively slowly could make all of the distinction. There have been loads of days once I was tempted to hurry by means of the mission, however in the long run, I’m so glad I didn’t.
The method of constructing my sauna took longer than I anticipated, however it gave me the chance to make changes, enhance my design, and study alongside the best way. Now, I’m in a position to admire the top end result much more as a result of I understand how a lot effort went into making it good.
The Ultimate Consequence
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 area the place I can escape from the world and give attention to my well-being. Each time I step inside, I’m reminded of the teachings I discovered, the errors I made, and the enjoyment of constructing one thing with my very own fingers.
If you happen to’re contemplating constructing your personal 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 Need to Construct?
If my expertise deterred you from wanting to construct one (wouldn’t blame you for that), I’ve additionally tried quite a lot of different kinds of saunas over time. 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 advocate:
Do you employ 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!
