How To Build A Sauna In Your House (Quickly & Easily!)

Building a home sauna can be a challenging yet immensely rewarding experience. The planning and building of a home sauna take above-average skill. However, many homeowners successfully add a sauna to their homes. Many other homeowners wonder how to build a home sauna

Building a home sauna is much like any other construction project. You are essentially adding another structure to your property. You need a plan that shows you the details. You may need a permit which will require inspections and using licensed contractors for some parts of the job. Finally, you need to have the self-confidence to undertake the job.

A complete step-by-step guide is beyond the scope of this article. However, we can give you a general understanding of the steps you should take before driving the first nail. Planning and preparation is the key to success with any construction project. Lets’ get on with planning your sauna.

There are literally hundreds of pre-built kit saunas available. These kits range from saunas designed to fit into an existing room in your house to stand-alone structures for your backyard or patio. Kits are a good choice for someone with limited construction experience or time. They generally are easy to put together and go together quickly.

You need to shop carefully. Like anything else, there are levels of quality. Surprisingly, price is not a particularly good reflection of quality. If you decide that a kit is a better choice for you, find a local dealer who has experience with several brands. These dealers know which brands of sauna give the fewest problems.

Creating your sauna design can be undeniably satisfying. Taking a project from an idea in your head, putting it on paper, and then watching the design unfold during construction is magical. However, creating the construction plans can be more difficult than the actual build. Not many of us have the talent or the skills to create blueprints.

Walking into the local building permit office with sketches drawn on notebook paper probably won’t get you far. Even if you don’t need a permit, starting a project of this scale without detailed plans is a recipe for disaster.

Once you have your plan, it is time to consider what kind of materials to use in the construction. Choosing the equipment to install in your sauna is another decision to make before you begin construction. Having everything on hand before you make a cut or drive a screw is important.

If you elect to purchase a kit, the choice of materials and equipment is complete. Most kits come with everything to install or build your sauna. The material should be precut to size and clearly labeled. From here, it is just a matter of following the directions and assembling the parts.

When you have your plan, the biggest decisions are what kind of wood and other materials you will use. These decisions are critical. The type of material you used to construct your sauna will dictate how easy it is to maintain and how long it will last. There are some considerations when choosing wood for your sauna project.

Most saunas built in the United States are electric. These are the most economical to purchase, install and operate. The sizes range from small home sauna heaters to large commercial heaters used in gyms and clubs.

Electricity as a fuel source for a sauna heater makes sense in many ways. Electric heaters don’t need vents like gas heaters or wood-burning heaters. There are no toxic fumes created, nor do they require constant attention when operating.

Operating an electric sauna heater requires no more skill than flipping a switch. It is no wonder that most people opt for an electric sauna heater.

Sauna heaters that use natural gas or propane are available. Most people who choose a gas-fueled sauna heater live in areas when electrical power is limited to non-existent. Gas-fueled sauna heaters are expensive to purchase and install.

The gas combustion in the heater creates toxic fumes requiring a vent to the outside of the sauna enclosure. Installing a gas-fueled sauna heater must be done by a licensed plumber and under recognized building codes. Anything less can lead to tragic consequences.

Gas-fired sauna heaters, because of the complex nature of the controls, safety features, and construction, are typically much more expensive than electric heaters of comparable size.

If you are a purist when it comes to saunas, a wood-burning sauna heater fits the bill. Saunas have a long tradition in the Nordic countries, and wood was the only heat source for centuries. Modern wood-burning sauna heaters are a far cry from their ancient relatives.

You can still get sauna heaters that burn split wood, much like those that have heated saunas for centuries. The installation of these wood-burners has the same requirements as a gas-fueled sauna heater. You must install a vent stack to carry away the smoke and toxic gases

Wood-burning sauna heaters are less efficient than either electric or gas-fired models. Much of the heat goes up the vent stack with the smoke. Also, the sauna’s heating tends to be uneven and can result in hot spots and cold spots inside the sauna.

On the upside, recent technological advances have helped the wood-burning sauna heaters. Some new wood-burning sauna heaters use pellet technology to regulate heat production. Pellet stove technology allows more precise control of temperature and a more even burn for better heat distribution.

With all the planning, preparation, and gathering of materials complete, it is time to start the actual build. If your planning has been thorough, the construction of your sauna may even seem a little anti-climactic. The planning process may take more time than the build.

How the building phase moves forward is dictated largely by the location and style of the sauna. Saunas built into an existing space usually are less complex and move quicker. Stand-alone construction is more complex and takes more time. There are, however, some general things to consider during the building part of your project.

You must manage scheduling plumbers and electricians carefully. Each of your sub-contractors must have access to the project at specific points in the building process. Each sub-contractor needs access to the project to run wire, pipes, and install components before installing finish coverings.

It helps to provide each of your sub-contractors a copy of the plans and the installation instructions for any special equipment such as heaters or controls. With this information, your sub-contractors can make their plans and have the right equipment on hand when they arrive for their part of the job.

If your local building department requires you to pull a permit to install or build your sauna, don’t forget the inspections that are part of the process. Most building permits require regular inspections of electrical installations, plumbing installations, and foundation installations while the construction is in progress.

If you fail to get an inspection at the proper time, you may find yourself undoing work to allow the inspectors to see behind finish work, under floors, or above ceilings. By and large, inspectors are there to help. Their job is to make sure that your project is safe for you and your family and meets the basic requirements for safe operation.

You may well spend as much or more time planning the construction of your home sauna as building it. However, a good plan almost always ensures a successful project. Don’t shortcut the planning process. In the end, you will find the construction easier and quicker when you have a solid plan from which to work.

We hope that these tips, tricks, and suggestions make building your home sauna easier. Whether you are installing a kit into an existing space or building a luxurious stand-alone sauna in your backyard, we want to wish you success with your project. Now, enjoy your new sauna.