At home saunas provide numerous health and relaxation benefits, from soothing sore muscles to increasing blood circulation and relaxation. Popular in gyms and wellness centers, adding one at home is simple with either purchasing a kit or building it yourself within existing space.
A sauna should be constructed on a concrete foundation and constructed using wood--preferably cedar--which resists water damage. Insulated walls should also be utilized and an antimicrobial foil vapor barrier.
Preparation
At home saunas provide relief for sore muscles, stimulate blood circulation, and can help you relax. Construct your own home sauna to reap these benefits in your own space - beginners may benefit from purchasing kits that include step-by-step instructions as well as all materials for construction. Some kits even provide guidance regarding electrical and plumbing installation.
Before beginning construction of your sauna, first prepare the area by stripping down to its basic wall and ceiling studs or framing out new walls if necessary. Your floor must also be impermeable such as tile or concrete for proper insulation and proper operation of the unit.
Insulate both your frame and ceiling using materials that can withstand high temperatures while still retaining heat, such as fiberglass batt insulation. A foil vapor barrier should then be installed over this insulation material and stapled to the studs with at least a 3-inch overlap to protect from moisture seeping into wall cavities and inhibit mold growth.
Install the inner sauna walls using tongue-and-groove paneling. Most homeowners opt for cedar as it resists rot and fungus while smelling pleasant; however, cedar can be expensive; many people now turn to pine that has been killed by beetles instead as it offers much greater strength for less money.
Arrange the benches based on your heater's instructions, drill and attach a door made of tempered glass so it will not crack under extreme temperatures, and make necessary modifications.
Install the interior wiring for light switches, interior controls and any heater you may have in your sauna. If this task is beyond your expertise, professional electricians or plumbers may be needed to set up wire conduit and exterior control panels.
Framing
Step one in building your DIY sauna involves framing its interior walls and ceiling. Use wood that resists mold, heat and moisture such as cedar or hemlock; pine could become damaged from exposure to high humidity levels in a sauna environment. As an affordable alternative consider beetle kill pine available at many lumberyards.
Most sauna kits are pre-fabricated, complete with all of the materials for framing, insulation and wiring a sauna room. However, to successfully construct it you will require basic carpentry skills as well as electrical knowledge to install a heater and wire the space accordingly. Depending on your local regulations you may also require a permit prior to beginning construction of your sauna room.
Installing sauna walls requires leaving an air gap between insulation and walls in order to prevent condensation, and using an air barrier under the floor where moisture accumulates - potentially leading to mold or mildew growth. A good foil air barrier works well as it should overlap its seams by three inches for maximum effectiveness.
Once the frame and insulation have been set in place, you can start adding the final touches to your sauna. At this time, installing benches should also take place; to do this successfully it's advisable to closely follow manufacturer's instructions, plan their placement so they are at an appropriate height in relation to your heater, and plan their spacing.
As part of your sauna build, you can also install a pre-hung door and frame in a window for natural lighting. Additional accessories, including water bucket and ladle for infusion as well as door handles can be purchased from various online sauna dealers or manufacturers.
Insulation
Building an at-home sauna from scratch may be possible, but is time-consuming and labor intensive. Instead, most homeowners find it wiser to invest in a premade sauna kit instead - this complete package comes complete with all materials required and step-by-step instructions to guide the process from choosing a location, pouring a foundation, framing walls and roof frames and insulating to installing drain pipes, electrical wiring for heater, lights switches or any other devices you might require (if you are unfamiliar with electricity or are uncomfortable working with electricity), hiring professional electricians may help make this task a lot simpler!
No matter your method for building your sauna, quality materials should always be used when selecting sauna panels. Look for those with high heat ratings that can withstand moisture without warping wood; additionally, ensure they have been approved as UL listed and contain a vapor barrier against mold and mildew growth. For an added splurge option consider cedar or hemlock over cheaper pine.
Once the framing and insulation work has been completed, it's time to install the interior. Start by nailing tongue-and-groove paneling to the ceiling joists before continuing down each wall lining them with aluminum vapor barriers from North American Sauna Society. Leave at least 1/4-inch gaps between each panel when installing them to allow for expansion/contraction of wood during installation.
Once your interior has been installed, you can add a door to seal off the space and make it accessible for entry and exit. Furthermore, accessories like benches, mood lighting and an electronic control panel may also be added for optimal use of your sauna experience.
Plumbing
No matter if you're building from scratch or adapting an indoor space with a sauna kit, plumbing installation will be required for its heater. A plumber in your area can advise on which pipes would best suit your sauna depending on its location and use - indoor or outdoor.
For saunas using gas heaters, ventilation systems are also necessary to circulate fresh air and avoid excess humidity which could otherwise lead to skin irritation or other health concerns. Vents help circulate fresh air throughout your sauna space while simultaneously protecting it against over-humidity which could otherwise cause health complications and skin irritations.
Electricity or gas heating options for saunas are usually the preferred choice, with electricity offering more flexible controls and faster heating than wood-fired saunas. Gas can also be an option; however, you will require a gas pipe be installed into your home for safety purposes before going down this route.
Before connecting the electrical connections and wiring, it's necessary to insulate the sauna walls and ceiling. Choose non-flammable fiberglass batt insulation in 16 and 24-inch width rolls; line inner walls and ceiling with it, leaving a 3 inch gap around their perimeters for air flow; then install an aluminum vapor barrier overtop of this insulation, sealing it to the drywall surface.
Once your walls are complete, the next step should be installing your sauna door and exterior features such as windows (but not too close to the heat) or benches with unique configurations to personalize your experience. Furthermore, wiring must be run for interior lighting, switches and the heater; if this process seems overwhelming to you then hiring professional electrician assistance might be beneficial.
Electrical
No matter which path you take to build or convert a sauna at home, certain steps should always be followed for successful completion.
First, determine the size and location of your sauna. Indoor or outdoor installation options should be explored with easy access to an electricity source; when building outdoor saunas it's also important to take into account permit and safety regulations as needed.
Next, choose a heating system. Options include electric, gas or wood. Electric is most flexible for infrared heaters while gas provides greater efficiency than wood when it comes to outdoor saunas - however professional installation of gas lines is required for use in these cases.
Before beginning to clad your sauna, develop a wiring plan and mark out its essential elements - lights, switches and vents. Also include wiring for thermostat and remote controls of any heaters (6.0kw will need 30A circuit breakers with 10/2 wire); for saunas located beyond 30feet of an AC breaker it will need 8/2 wiring instead.
Cladding should be completed using long-lasting softwoods like cedar, poplar and hemlock that can be nailed without splitting, along with waterproof sealant to keep out water and ensure insulation stays in its place. You'll also require a nonflammable adhesive like silicone caulk - to secure its proper installation - silicone caulk can help ensure proper adhesion of insulation layers. Lastly, add pre-hung door made of tempered glass. For safety and longevity purposes ensure it carries certifications from UL or similar entities to ensure its performance over time.