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- A Guide to Build Your Own Home Sauna
- By: DL HOH
Building your own home sauna may be easier than you think. You can build your own home sauna from scratch or by buying a modular sauna and assemble it yourself. You may also buy sauna kits and just build the home sauna framework by yourself.
If you intend to build your home sauna from scratch, you will need to have some carpentry skills. Other than the framework, you will also need to consider the electrical and plumbing works. All these depend on the type of heater that you intend to use for your home sauna. A home sauna that uses a far infrared ray heater is different from a sauna that uses electrical heater.
The size of your home sauna depends on how many people will be using it. As a general rule, 2 feet of bench space is required per person. The height of the sauna should be 7 feet.
If you intend to build a traditional Finnish home sauna that use a wood burning heater, it should be located outdoor. Most people would just go for an electrical heater for convenience. As the plumbing and electrical component is the most complicated item in building a home sauna, and as it poses direct safety hazard, you should get licensed personnel to do it for you.
Before you start, you should consult your local authority if a permit is required to build your own home sauna. Then, decide on the perfect location for your sauna. Preferably, a sauna should have a nearby washing area for rinsing. Your choice location will also affect your plumbing and electrical works.
If you intend to build your home sauna from scratch, the framework may be constructed from 5cm x 10cm or 5cm x 15cm lumbers, spaced at 300mm apart. Once you have built the framework of the sauna, the next stage is to insulate the sauna room. This can be done by using fiberglass with the correct rating.
You will need to cover your insulation with a vapor barrier. Foil make good vapor barrier as it also helps to reflect the heat back into the sauna. The walls of your home sauna may be constructed using tongue-and-groove lumber. Avoid exposing nails. The temperature of exposed nails may be quite high in a heated sauna and may burn your skin. Redwood is the most popular choice of wood for the home sauna.
Sauna doors easily get warped for a home sauna. It is suggested that you buy those pre-hung doors from a sauna dealer. Benches can also be purchased from a sauna dealer. You should make your benches and backrest as comfortable as possible.
Floor can be made of gluing ceramic tiles to the sub floor. Duckboards should be placed over the ceramic floor tiles to prevent the building up of moisture and excessive heat on the floor.
Note that there are also sauna kits that consists of panels for inside walls, vapor barrier, benches, flooring, heater, light fixtures and insulated doors that you can purchase from a sauna dealer. You only need to build the framework of the home sauna.
Once you have your heater powered up, your home sauna is ready. Enjoy your home sauna!