Constructing a sauna in your yard feels like a dream, doesn’t it? An ideal, cozy escape from the hustle and bustle of day by day life. Someplace you possibly can unwind, loosen up, and benefit from the therapeutic advantages of warmth remedy. At the least, that’s what I believed after I determined to tackle the venture of constructing my very own sauna.
I envisioned a fast weekend venture, a day of hammering away, and earlier than I knew it, I’d have a gorgeous 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, endurance, 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 price it, plus I acquired some nice instances with buddies, and also you get to learn this overly-detailed weblog submit!
On this submit, 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 proper warmth supply (and sure, a LOT about air flow). So, seize a cup of tea, get snug, 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 venture within the first place.
If you happen to’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 pressure to boosting your immune system and detoxifying your physique. I’ve mentioned many instances that if the sauna have been a tablet, 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 de facto useful. After all, there are sauna kits and pre-made saunas, and I hyperlink to all those I’ve tried and preferred 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 Exhausting)
The primary lesson I realized was that planning is essential in relation to constructing a sauna. Even with the most effective intentions, issues don’t at all times go as easily as you hope. I believed I had every part mapped out completely. I measured the area in my yard, researched supplies, and even watched just a few YouTube movies on do it your self sauna constructing. A DIY sauna venture can be a weekend venture—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 building began to turn into clear fairly shortly. There are such a lot of components to contemplate whenever you construct it your self, from the muse 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 proper insulation, all the hassle you place into constructing the construction gained’t end result within the cozy heat you’re after.
I additionally realized that constructing a sauna is a bit like fixing a puzzle—it requires quite a lot of trial and error. Particularly whenever you’re working with totally different constructing supplies and determining easy methods to match every part collectively. The method wasn’t quick, and it undoubtedly wasn’t simple, however the satisfaction of finishing one thing by handcrafted all of it price it ultimately. (Unrelated: I additionally realized that I’m not the most effective 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 crimson mild and close to infrared: (sure, this technically breaks the foundations 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 present outbuilding. Simply make certain 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 vital issues I found throughout this venture was the Finns model of sauna constructing. Finland is the birthplace of the sauna, and their conventional saunas are the gold normal for sauna fanatics worldwide. To actually respect the artwork of sauna constructing, I knew I needed to perceive the ideas behind it.
In a Finnish-style sauna, there are two essential components that make it actually distinctive: warmth and air flow.
Warmth: The Secret to Sauna Remedy
The warmth in a sauna is what offers you that satisfying, stress-free expertise. It’s additionally what makes the sauna such a strong instrument 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 setting the place the warmth can be evenly distributed all through the room.
Conventional Finnish saunas typically use wood-burning stoves to generate warmth. Nonetheless, there are different choices, like electrical heaters, that may work simply as effectively. The secret’s 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.
With regards to 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 helpful.
Because of this, I knew I had to ensure 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 respect 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 realized that warmth alone will not be sufficient to forestall 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 essential sorts 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 could be efficient in guaranteeing the air stays recent and breathable.
Guide downdraft is the standard strategy, the place you depend on strategically positioned vents to permit recent air to move into the sauna naturally. Many pre-made saunas both don’t have air flow or depend on this kind.
I selected the mechanical downdraft methodology for my sauna as a result of I knew we’d wish to have longer sauna periods and be capable of host larger teams. By putting in a vent above the heater and a fan underneath the bench, I used to be in a position to permit for the proper move of air and hold the CO2 ranges in verify. This setup not solely made the sauna extra snug to make use of but additionally 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 resolution was pushed by a deep respect for the standard Finnish sauna expertise and a need to honor the legislation 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 mushy, enveloping warmth and the sense of heat that fills the area when the sauna is correctly designed. It’s all about making a harmonious steadiness between the temperature and the airflow. This fashion, the warmth circulates evenly all through the room. The legislation of löyly emphasizes the significance of warmth rising to the higher benches, guaranteeing that the particular person sitting there enjoys the most effective 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 popular air. To make this occur, the sauna will need to have sufficient peak to permit the warmth to rise naturally and envelop the consumer. I ensured that the higher bench can be positioned on the good 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 motive I selected a taller sauna was to provide the warmth room to rise and unfold evenly. With the higher bench positioned greater than the heater and the consumer’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 mild warmth. This setup encourages higher warmth circulation. Your physique additionally stays heat from head to toe whereas avoiding the discomfort of scorching spots or cool zones.
A Extra Genuine Finnish Expertise: In Finland, saunas are an artwork type, and the expertise is all about steadiness. Taller partitions and correct bench positioning make sure you’re sitting in the proper 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. Once 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 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 trade of air. That is particularly vital in conventional saunas the place guide downdraft air flow performs an important position in guaranteeing recent, breathable air.
Snug 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 snug and therapeutic sauna session. Right here you possibly can actually loosen up and really feel the total advantages of the warmth.
Lesson 4: Selecting the Proper Heater
One of the vital essential choices 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 correct heater could make all of the distinction in relation to warmth high quality, power effectivity, and general expertise.
I did quite a lot of analysis earlier than selecting a heater, and in the end, 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 get pleasure from 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 modern, 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 keep a constant temperature and create that mushy, enveloping heat I really like.
Measurement: The HUUM Hive is available in numerous sizes, which was good for my sauna. I used to be ready to decide on the proper dimension primarily based on the area I had accessible and the extent of warmth I wished to realize.
The heater dimension may be very particular to the scale 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 exchange the heater in my barrel sauna.
Right here’s easy methods to calculate the scale of a sauna heater:
Measure the amount 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 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 essential.
You may as well use a instrument like this one to calculate your heater dimension.
Lesson 4: Be taught Some Endurance
I feel one of many largest classes I realized all through this course of is the significance of downtime and endurance. When issues don’t go in keeping with plan, it’s simple to get annoyed. Nonetheless, 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 by way of the venture, however ultimately, 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 be taught alongside the way in which. Now, I’m in a position to respect the top end result much more as a result of I understand how a lot effort went into making it good.
The Ultimate End result
After months of labor (and a few occasional setbacks), my yard sauna is lastly full. Nicely, aside from the ultimate roof, however that’s a narrative for one more day. It’s a comfortable, heat, and welcoming area the place I can escape from the world and deal with 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 fingers.
If you happen to’re contemplating constructing your individual sauna, I hope this submit has given you some useful insights and sensible ideas. Constructing a sauna isn’t simple, however the finish result’s completely price 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 sorts of saunas over time. These have included numerous 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 strive or incorporate extra into your well being routine? Depart a remark and let me know!
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