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Sauna Components
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Sauna Rooms
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Sauna Building
While each sauna comes with it's own set of instructions, the following is meant to give you an overview of the building experience. If you require
further assistance, please call or email us.
Where can a sauna be installed?
A Sauna can be put anywhere you have space - inside or outside. All you need is a waterproof floor, a 220/240V electrical hookup for the heater,
and for convenience, it is best to have a shower nearby. Health clubs, hotels, motels, master bathrooms, garages, patios, decks, and basements are
all ideal places for saunas. Saunas can also be built in a modular fashion so that they can be easily relocated.
Better Homes & Gardens spotlights a home where the bathroom includes a sauna:
When planning a place to pamper and groom, it's possible to achieve an uncomplicated style without sacrificing any luxuries.
It's this philosophy of simplicity and serenity that Chris Benjamin and Sally Nicol Benjamin of Malibu, California, envisioned for their master bathroom. However, the couple also wanted a bath well-appointed with a variety of luxuries, such as a Japanese soaking tub, a large dual-head shower, and a walk-in sauna.
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Extras Without Excess Better Homes & Gardens
» You can read the article at Better Homes & Gardens.
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Can any type of wood be used?
Technically, you can make a sauna out of anything, but only certain types of wood are recommended.
- The Good
Clear Western Red Cedar is America's favorite because of its beautiful shades and smell. Hemlock is a nice choice for a lighter appearance. Aspen
is ideal for those who may be sensitive to the aroma of cedar. Another candidate is redwood, but it tends to get dirty and ugly with regular use.
- The Bad
Hardwood is not good for the walls because it is too hot on the skin. Sap-bearing wood should also be avoided, as it oozes under high
temperatures.
The wood should be Tongue-and-Groove (t&g) for a tight fit, and kiln dried to around 10% moisture content to prevent shrinkage and warping.
Square-edged boards should be avoided as they do not form a smooth, sealed surface.
Should the boards be oriented vertically or horizontally?
This is a matter of personal preference. We believe that vertical installation is slightly better, although it is more costly for a store to
supply all 7-foot boards that are required for vertical installation. For more information on this topic, read this article.
How do I install Saunacore Heaters in a
corner?
Standard and Special Edition models can be mounted directly to
perpendicular walls using the brackets on the back. The Ultimate heater
has smaller brackets that are at right angles to the flat portion of the
back of the heater, and therefore needs to be installed directly to studs
that are attached in the corner. The reason for this is the extra rock
capacity and weight so the heater needs to be closer to the support studs,
or it would simply rip
the screws right out of the cedar tongue and groove boards.
Can I build my sauna wall over existing drywall?
No. Even a small amount of moisture from the sauna will affect the drywall over time. Remove the drywall from the walls and
ceiling, ensure that the proper insulation is used, then apply an aluminum vapour barrier on the studs and joists.
Does my sauna always require insulation?
Not always. In most cases, we recommend R-12 foil-faced fiberglass insulation for the walls and ceiling
because it fits nicely with standard 2x4 framing, it reduces "house noise" and if your sauna will be
installed in a cold climate, then the insulation will help keep the cold out so your starting temperature
is more reasonable. Commercial saunas that are on all day long should always be insulated to prevent heat
loss, but the heat from a personal use sauna will not penetrate through the cedar and vapor barrier
enough to produce a noticeable heat loss. If an outside wall is being used in cold climates, insulation
values may exceed R-12. This is also acceptable.
Please keep in mind that saunas are not designed to be "energy-efficient". A real sauna needs to have air
circulating through a ventilation system or through the space below the door. Also, a typical sauna session only uses about
20-40 cents worth of electricity, so holding in all of the heat won't save you much money.
How much space should there be between the door and the floor?
Since hot air always rises, it really doesn't matter how much space there is near the floor. Anywhere from 1/4" to 6
inches is typical and acceptable, as long as fresh air can get into the sauna for healthier breathing. While fire
consumes oxygen, you do not need to "feed" an electric sauna heater for it to work. Your health and comfort are the only
goals of proper ventilation.
Believing that the crack beneath the door lets cold air into the sauna, some people attempt to plug the crack
with towels. For this reason, it is a good idea to leave only a small space.
Are rocks necessary in a sauna?
Yes, rocks are necessary to store heat and to provide a hot surface area to produce
steam when water is poured over them. The rocks should be as hard as possible so that
they will not crumble when heated. Granite and other igneous rocks are hard enough to
endure the heat stress. To add a touch of character to your sauna, collect some river rock.
Years of passing water will have already taken away the loose exterior,
leaving a smooth hard core that looks interesting and lasts for years.
Rocks may be placed around the heater elements in some models, and on a top tray in others.
The former situation is preferable, so that the stones can absorb the entire warmth from the
heater elements. The stones will then deliver a soft, comfortable bathing experience.
Does a sauna require a drain?
Not always. The amount of water that might accumulate on the floor of a sauna is actually much less than one might expect.
Most of the water that is
poured on the rocks is released into the air, leaving a very small amount on the floor that can be wiped dry
with a towel or left to evaporate.
If you are starting from "scratch", we would recommend that you install a drain, especially in commercial saunas.
This allows for easier cleaning and may be required by your building code.
What kind of floor do I have to have for my sauna?
A sauna must have a waterproof floor so that it can be easily kept clean, sanitary, and free of odors. Washable floors, such
as tile, sealed concrete or heavy duty vinyl work best.
How high should the ceiling be?
The ideal height for a home sauna is 7 feet. For commercial saunas with three bench tiers, 8 feet would be more fitting.
It is important to bring the heat down to bench level where the bathers can enjoy it. Therefore, if you must raise
the ceiling height, then we recommend also raising the benches from the standard levels of 18-20 inches for the bottom
and 36-40 inches for the top. These measurements usually bring the bather's head to a comfortable distance from the ceiling.
A smaller sauna is also faster, and slightly more economical to heat.
Can I order a sauna for an existing room?
Yes you can. A lot of our saunas are customized to suit the customer's needs. Measure your room and draw a diagram with all
the dimensions on it. Fax the diagram to 305-675-3305. Make sure you include your contact information so we can follow up
with you.
What about electricity?
Our smallest heater can be supplied with 120V or 240V. The larger ones require 240V. Provide one wire for the heater and one for the light. The
feed into the sauna is generally done through the ceiling. Supply one junction box. Your electrician will tell you what kind of breaker you need.
You do not have to have a GFI-breaker! You can choose heaters in single, double or three phase. The final hookup needs to be done by a licensed electrician.
Electrical Requirements Summary
| Size (KW) |
Volts |
Amps |
Wire Gauge |
| 2.0 |
110 | 19 | 12 |
| 2.0 | 220 | 9 | 12 |
| 3.0 | 220 | 14 | 12 |
| 4.0 | 220 | 18 | 12 |
| 5.0 | 220 | 23 | 10 |
| 6.0 | 220 | 27 | 10 |
| 7.5 | 220 | 34 | 8 |
| 8.0 | 220 | 36 | 8 |
| 9.0 | 220 | 40 | 8 |
| 10.5 | 220 | 48 | 8 |
| 12.0 | 220 | 50 | 8 |
What's usually included with a sauna?
Every sauna package varies, especially between a sauna kit (build it yourself) and a modular sauna (minor assembly required). Usually you get all
of the interior wood including the walls and ceiling, duck boards for the floor, and 1-2 benches. The door, heater, guardrail, hardware, and vapor
barrier are usually included too. Sauna rocks and an accessory kit may be included, but do not come with all saunas.
What do I usually have to supply myself?
You have to supply your own tools and the electrical connection. You also need to make sure that the sauna is on a waterproof, flat surface (tile,
sealed cement, etc.). Most modular saunas require little assembly and the walls are already framed and insulated. If you get a sauna kit, you need
to frame the sauna and install insulation before construction begins.
How can I control the temperature in a wood-fired sauna?
First, make sure that you are using a small heater for rooms under 650 cu. ft., and a large heater for rooms over 650 cu. ft.
The more wood you use, the hotter the sauna will get. The type of wood that you are burning will also effect the temperature
of the sauna. Maple, Tamrak, and Birch burn among the hottest; Spruce and Pine are among the coolest.
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