How to Build Your
Own Sauna
Installing a sauna can be less complicated than many think.
Pre-built saunas can be purchased and installed in less than half an
hour, or kits are available for assembly for those with woodworking
skills. Those looking for a challenge can build a sauna from
scratch. This project can be undertaken by any person with basic
carpentry skills.
The location of the sauna is the most important consideration during
the building process. The design of the sauna will depend greatly on
whether it will be in a rural or city setting, whether it is
freestanding or installed in an existing room, and whether it will
be inside the home or be built as an outdoor unit.
Once this decision has been made, the next decision is what kind of
stove to use. Choices for a stove include electric, wood-burning,
gas or oil. For saunas in a rural area a wood-burning stove would be
the obvious choice, while a suburban or city sauna would be better
of with gas, electric or oil. Electric is the most popular choice
for city units.
Another consideration is washing and changing facilities. Ideally, a
shower will be placed just outside the sauna for bathers to use
before they enter the room. The shower will need hot water so
plumbing needs to be considered in this decision.
Location
The ideal location for a sauna would be close to a lake, river or
swimming pool, to allow for a dip in the cool water after bathing.
If these are not possible a shower should be installed directly
outside the sauna.
Saunas built in rural areas are almost always a free standing
structure. It is more practical to place a sauna inside the home in
city or suburban areas. The sauna should be close to a bathroom to
allow bathers to shower before entering the sauna and after.
Careful consideration should be taken in turning and existing room
into a sauna because of the moisture that accompanies the unit. The
room will need to be insulated and have a vapor barrier to prevent
any moisture from damaging the structural integrity of the building.
Sauna Heater
Many bathers agree that wood-burning heaters provide the most
satisfying bathing experience. For saunas in rural areas this is the
obvious choice. A wood-burning stove is not practical for city use;
electric would be the next best choice. Gas and oil heaters produce
an odor when being used that many users do not like.
Which ever type of heater you choose, it will have to have the
proper electrical and plumbing connections. Hiring a plumber, and
electrician will most likely be necessary in the city and is advised
even in rural locations. The connections are one of the first tasks
that should be preformed when building the sauna.
The next article will discuss actual
sauna construction methods.
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Healthy Sauna
Facial
Sauna Systems
Home
Sauna
Maintenance
Infrared Sauna
Portable Saunas
Sauna
Accessories
Sauna Construction
Sauna Health
Sauna Heaters
Sauna Kits
Using a Sauna
Steam Baths
Health
Benefits
How
to Build a Steam Room
Steam
Bath Generator
Steam Generator - How
it works
Steam Shower
Installing
Steam Showers
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