Outdoor Finnish saunas provide hours of relaxation.
A traditional Finnish sauna is an insulated, steam-proof hut made of heat-resistant wood that can withstand temperatures up to roughly 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Building a Finnish sauna in your backyard is actually doable even for the amateur wood builder. The easiest and most reliable path to building your own Finnish sauna is to order a pre-cut sauna kit or sauna material package. This allows you to concentrate on assembling the sauna and reduces the entire process to about 20 hours of labor.
Instructions
1. Purchase a pre-cut sauna kit. A standard kit costs $2,400 to $3,200. Make sure to review the kit's materials before beginning the building process. Check for missing pieces.
2. Choose a sensible location for your outdoor Finnish sauna. Check municipal laws for restrictions on the size and location of your sauna and respect property lines. Take into account the cost of running electricity and plumbing to your sauna. Choose a level location with access to a 240-volt electrical supply.
3. Size your sauna depending on the number of people who will use it. A 3-by-4-foot sauna fits one person comfortably, while a 10-by-14-foot sauna holds six to eight people. When measuring benches, allow at least two feet of bench per person.
4. Build the sauna floor. Start with a concrete foundation installed below the frost line, which will help avoid problems caused by thawing in the springtime. Consult a foundation building guide if you are unsure do this.
5. Build the wall frame. Make a basic building plan that corresponds to the size of your sauna. Make sure to include openings for the sauna door and windows. Don't build your sauna taller than 7 feet, as this reduces heating efficiency. Attach the completed wall frame to the sauna base using anchor bolts.
6. Install the insulation to keep heat inside the sauna and prevent moisture collection. Use aluminum foil vapor and 15-inch fiberglass insulation batts. Insulate the walls with R13-rated batts but use R22 to R26-rated batts for the ceiling.
7. Build the door and windows. Standard door size is 24 inches by 72 inches. Your door handle should be made of the same wood as the sauna, and the door should have a nonmetallic friction door catch. Use a premade sauna door for best results. Use single glazed tempered glass for the windows. Include an intake vent under the heater and an exhaust vent that allows air to escape. This is crucial for maintaining proper flow of oxygen.
8. Line the interior sauna walls using using horizontal cedar boards. Cedar absorbs perpiration and is resistant to humidity. Attach them using rust-resistant galvanized nails.
9. Hire an electrician to install the sauna's heating circuits, controls, thermostat and lighting. Install the controls outside the sauna for easy access.
10. Line the exterior walls of your sauna using a material of your choice. Stone, tile, brick, wallboard and 4-by-8 paneling are popular choices. You can also use the same wood you used for the interior.
11. Install the sauna benches using cedar planks approximately 2 inches by 2 inches. Install upper and lower tiers to allow users to choose different temperature levels.
12. Sand down all wood to prevent splinters. Clean debris and check for imperfections. Allow the sauna to run for two hours at 180 degrees Fahrenheit to test it out, burn off coatings in the new heater and prevent cracks in the future.
13. Have your sauna inspected by a professional to make sure it is safe to use.
Tags: your sauna, Finnish sauna, sauna door, degrees Fahrenheit, door windows, inches inches, location your