Importance Of Outdoor Sauna Building Materials

If you’re thinking about creating an outdoor sauna room, your best bet is to opt for a timber structure. Timber is the best material to use, as it can contract and expand with the heat fluctuations, and does not promote the growth of moisture loving moulds. These rooms tend to be built from untreated cedar, pine or knot-free hemlock. Cedar in particular retains properties that help keep them clean and mould-free.  Your choice of outdoor sauna building materials is very important for the durability of your investment.

If you have an ideal location, you’ll first need to make sure that the ground is suitably level. A basic traditional sauna can be modeled on your average shed design – 4 walls, a door and a window if desired. However, it will need at least three ventilation points. You’ll need a vent above the heater, one near the top of the wall, and one at the base (leaving a good two or three inch gap under the door may suffice).

The sauna room can be insulated with 3" fiberglass, and then clad in untreated cedar wood or spruce. The floor may need a small drainage exit so that any moisture on the floor doesn’t accumulate and cause problems. You should also make sure that any rough edges are smoothed, and nail heads should be covered, as they will conduct heat. Any electrics or lighting will need to be installed by a professional electrician.

Your sauna will only require a few sparse accessories – perhaps a hook for hanging your clothes or dressing robe outside, and an untreated wooden bench to sit on. The stove heater size will depend on the size of the interior of the building, but the guideline is that you need one kilowatt per 45 cubic feet.

Pre-fabricated Sauna Kits

There are a plethora of sauna plans and self-assembly pre-fabricated  kits available on the market. These are made to specification or available in set dimensions in the factory, and are shipped out to the buyer. Most look fairly simple in style, resembling log cabins that won’t look out of place surrounded by a few choice garden plants. The average sauna kit will most likely cost you around $6000 - $10,000. An outdoor sauna room can range in size from 4’ x 4’ for one person, to 12’ x 8’ to accommodate many people. It’s not uncommon to be able to modify the basic sauna kit design at a cost – for instance, changing the specified roof tiles, the thickness of the logs or adding decorative features.

To make the most of your sauna, try using it without any clothes on! This allows your whole body to sweat and release toxins through the skin. Wearing an old swimming costume is not advised, as they may still contain chemicals from swimming pools, which can then be released into the air under the hot, humid conditions.

Choosing Right Outdoor Sauna Building Materials Makes Easy Maintenance. 

Remember that a sauna made of wood will provide the best overall value for you.  Choose the right outdoor sauna building materials and your outdoor sauna room will last you for years.