How To Build a Sauna
You've decided to build a home sauna and feel a bit lost on how to start. This guide will provide the information you're looking for to help you transform that extra space or room in your house into a beautiful and relaxing sauna.
Sometimes an active lifestyle can be overwhelming for our mental health and body, and a means to ease stress and muscle soreness can significantly improve our overall feeling of wellness. Relaxing in a sauna can relieve sore muscles and anxiety, but it can also even help people with high blood pressure and arthritis.
When Should You Consider Investing In A Sauna

If you appreciate how beneficial soaking in the soothing heat of a sauna is for your health, then investing in one might be the right choice for you.
Paying for a premium membership at your favorite gym or spa can become costly in the long run, and not only that, driving there is time-consuming. Having a home sauna can make it easier on your wallet, save you that 10 to 20-minute drive, and give that extra space in your home or backyard a good use.
Saunas will increase your home value, but they are not for everyone; they are considered a luxury unless you live in Finland. When looking to buy a house, some people will see your sauna as a big reason to buy it, and others might not even bat an eye. So if you plan on staying in that house for a while, investing in one is the right choice.
Types of Saunas
You can choose two main types of saunas, indoor or outdoor. If you'd like to know their differences, you can click here.
Indoor Saunas
This type of saunas can either be pre-cut or pre-fab and are an excellent option for people looking to transform an unused room or an extra space into a luxurious at-home spa.
Outdoor Saunas
Outdoor saunas are ideal for those who do not have enough space inside their home or want to enjoy a cozy and reinvigorating session in a quaint and traditional outdoor environment.
There isn't a right or wrong here. When you choose your sauna, the available space, budget and preferences will ultimately determine your final decision.
Preparing And Planning
Proper planning is essential for your project! Here are some things that will help you prepare for this home project.
Location and size
Indoor saunas can be placed in a bathroom or garage (avoid carpeted floors when choosing the location for your indoor sauna). For outdoor saunas, the ground must be level, and you might need to install a nearby electrical outlet if you are getting an electric heater.
Type of Sauna Heater
There are three types of sauna heaters, wood-burning, gas-fueled, and electric.
Electric heaters are considered the most convenient as they can be turned on just by flicking a switch and can be regulated with a remote controller.
Gas heaters are an excellent option for people looking for a "cost-effective" and "energy-efficient" way to heat their home sauna and can be very convenient for outdoor saunas.
Wood-burning heaters are fantastic for areas where electricity is difficult to access or simply not available. Although heat can be a bit tougher to regulate with this type of heater, the heat tends to be warmer and more fitting for a sauna.
Choose the Materials

Regardless of building from scratch or buying a kit, you'll need to choose the materials and style. Cedar is a highly recommended type of wood, but other good options include poplar, basswood, pine, and hemlock.
Personalize Your Sauna
A benefit of building a sauna is the availability to customize it. From glass doors to LED lights, the options to personalize a sauna kit are virtually unlimited. Furthermore, if you're building an outdoor sauna, it becomes part of the landscape, so get creative!
Tools
Being prepared can never hurt your project, even if most sauna kits have the necessary tools to build them.
- Rubber mallet
- Adjustable wrench
- Locking pliers
- Staple gun
- Hammer or nail gun air compressor
- Saw
- Level
- Drill and drill bits
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
Materials
(pre-cut saunas usually include all the necessary materials)
- Staples
- Sauna foil vapor barrier
- Nails
- Screws
- Fiberglass insulation
- Foil barrier
- Fuel source: Electrical wiring, Gas pipe, or Firewood.
- Sauna heater