The short answer to this is simple, just about anywhere. Saunas can be installed both indoors and outdoors, with space and power being the two biggest decisions you’ll have to make. For many of our clients, it starts with space. From there, you’ll need to select a heater that can sufficiently heat the space to maximize the effectiveness of your sauna.
We’ll cover all of that here. Like with anything related to saunas, no question is too big or to small. Give us a call at (763)688-1488 or send us an email, [email protected] with questions related to your sauna build and we’ll be happy to help you out! Using a Sauna is one of the best natural things you can do for your overall health, we’re thrilled you’re interested in Sauna.
Can I Install A Sauna In My Home?
Yes. For many new to Sauna, the belief is that Saunas are built primarily for outdoor use. That is simply not the case, as Saunas in the home are probably the most common place to install a Sauna.
For indoor saunas, there are four main options. Technically, there is a fifth, but it requires the help of a highly experienced professional and is not recommended in any home. Let’s explain the four main types of saunas we build in homes.
- Custom built indoor Saunas
- Modular, pre-fabricated indoor Saunas
- Custom built infrared saunas
- Panel built infrared saunas
Before you choose which type of indoor sauna you’d like, we always first ask our clients about the space they’re working with. There are numerous factors that go into this that will dictate which type of sauna you’ll be able to install indoors. From there, the size of the Sauna room that you’re interested in will dictate the size heater you should choose.
Which size heater you should choose is critical (as far as we’re concerned it’s the single most important thing) for your Sauna build. This is because not every heater will work on a standard 120 volt outlet. Once your Sauna space reaches a certain size, it’s important that the heater is large enough to heat the space. The last thing anybody wants is to build a Sauna room that’s too big for it’s heater.
The majority of saunas we build utilize a 240 volt power supply. We’ve explained the reasoning for this in our guide to sauna wiring, so we won’t delve far into the details here.
Lastly, Saunas aren’t cheap. We’ve spoken to far to many folks who have saved money on their heater only to double the investment (or more) when they decide to purchase a larger one later on.
A word on that: should you choose to get a quote from us, we’ll always make sure your sauna heater is sized correctly. This is a huge mistake people make when piecing together their own Sauna room. Get a heater that’ll make our ancestors proud with blazing hot heat and the power to sweat it all out. You will not regret it!
The Best Locations For Home Saunas
- Basement spaces near utility rooms
- Along basement walls, or corners
- Master bedroom or bathroom
- Porches
- Workout room
- Under the stairwell
- Any other unused space with sufficient power supply
If you are going to go with a fully custom built sauna, location is everything. There are a number of factors that make location selection so important, especially when it comes to performance and budget.
Basement spaces near utility rooms
The most popular location for a custom built sauna in the home is typically in the basement. This is because of two factors, with the most important one being access to power supply. Often times, basements are not completely finished, allowing rough in wiring to be completed at a fraction of the cost as compared to a fully finished space.
If your basement is fully finished, consider a location near your utility room. 99% of basement utility rooms are left unfinished, simply because it’s not required. This will help you save on budget, but also give you close access to a drain. Every basement utility room should have a drain in it (if it doesn’t, you should start asking questions) and tapping into this drain system will be less costly the closer you place your sauna to it.
While it’s not required to have a drain in the sauna, in any custom indoor sauna we typically recommend it.
Along basement walls, or corners
If your sauna cannot be located near your utility room, or you simply do not want it there, fear not! We have built saunas in just about every nook and cranny of a home. From converting an old pantry closet on the main floor of a home, to under a stairwell. The only place I have not yet saw a sauna is in an attic. I’m sure they exist, somewhere.
Basement walls or corners are popular locations for saunas for both function and the aesthetic of the room. More importantly than that, a large cost savings can exist when studs are exposed. If your ideal location doesn’t exist with exposed studs, you’ll have to frame and insulate a space for your sauna.
Master Bedroom or Bathroom
There are two ways to put a sauna in your master bedroom or bath space. The first and most involved is by doing it fully custom. An example of a custom sauna in the master bathroom is linked here, with a photo below.
The second way to put a sauna in your master bedroom or master bathroom is by opting for a panel built sauna in this space.
The photo below shows a semi-permanent, modular sauna kit built into the clients master bath space. We can build these sauna kits completely custom, or from a series like the Northstar, Hallmark, or InfraSauna (combination of infrared / traditional).
Porches
If you have a porch space, whether it’s 3 season or 4 season, you can put a sauna in it. Here is a sauna we just built into a porch space at our clients cabin. Porch saunas are often times a very easy solution for sauna location because power can be run outside the building, avoiding the need to go through existing walls inside the house.
The photo below shows the above linked sauna in our clients porch. This sauna was panel built with Western Red Cedar and a Douglas Fir Sauna Door.
Things You Should Consider When Choosing Your Indoor Sauna Type
The first question we always ask is, what size space are we working with? If you’re looking for the quickest way to get an indoor sauna in your home, a pre-fabricated Sauna room is the way to go. We have many different sizes available, with a seemingly endless list of customization options.
Of course, you could go and purchase one of these from a big retailer like Amazon, but difficulty of installation varies widely. Should you choose to work with somebody like us, feel free to request more information or to simply give us a call. We’ve been doing this forever, we can likely save you hours of research simply by answering your questions (no matter how small they may seem).
- What is the size of the space?
- Does the space have a drain?
- Is it going to be permanent?
What is the size of the space?
Height, Length, and Width are all things that must be considered for your indoor Sauna. We build fully custom cut rooms (and install them), free standing custom cut rooms, or panel built indoor saunas. Panel built rooms, also known as a pre-fabricated or modular Sauna room, are built in many different sizes. They’re the quickest way to get a Sauna indoors, if your space allows. One thing to consider when thinking about a panel built sauna is the height. If you’re unsure on the height of your space, or need something custom, call or contact us. We’ll make sure everything is squared away just right.
And contrary to popular belief, you do not need a drain setup for many of our indoor Sauna rooms. In fact, it’s quite popular to place them in places you’d never even consider (like that empty space in the corner of your basement, with a carpet floor).
Does the space have a drain?
While it’s not required for many saunas, yes, even traditional Saunas that have a heater with steam capabilities, this is an important question. If the space already has a drain, you’re ten steps ahead of the game. A drain allows for a custom cut room, something that’s permanently installed. If this is something you’re interested in, get in touch with us. We will design the room to your specs and even take care of the complete build and installation (should you choose).
Is it going to be permanent?
If you’re going for a permanent sauna build, everything changes and the range of customization options scales up greatly. You can now customize every single component of your Sauna room from the walls, doors, lighting, benches, flooring, heater, etc. If you’re thinking about installing a permanent Sauna room, we’d love the opportunity to give you a quote or answer any questions you may have.
Can I Install A Sauna Outdoors?
So long as you’ve got the proper siding and roof on the Sauna building being built or installed, any Sauna can be built outdoors. Outdoor Saunas offer a wide range of customizations, as your building space outdoors is likely quite a bit less restricted than the space you’d have indoors. Many of our clients have both an outdoor sauna, as well as an indoor sauna.
What type of heater should I use for my outdoor sauna?
While the heat from a wood fired sauna stove is unlike anything you’ve probably experienced, a factor to consider is the type and availability of wood fuel in your area. Not everybody lives in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula where wood is as convenient as gas stations. If wood availability is low in your area, or you simply would rather not deal with the time it takes to heat a wood fired Sauna stove, an electric outdoor Sauna stove is for you.
And no, heating your Outdoor Sauna with an electric stove isn’t the “cheap way of doing it”. Electric Sauna heaters, when sized right for your room, are on par with many of the wood stoves we see in outdoor saunas.
Electric versus Wood Fired Stoves For Heating An Outdoor Sauna
Outdoor Saunas present a unique scenario for their owners. While you can fire an indoor sauna with a wood stove, it’s far less common than using a wood fired heater outdoors. The single most important thing to consider when deciding between an electric or wood fired Sauna heater is the availability of wood. Each and every time you want to take Sauna, you’ll have to light the stove and wait for it to heat prior to jumping in.
For that reason, many of our clients opt for an electric stove in their outdoor sauna. While lighting your Sauna the way they did it in the 30s is romantic, there’s just something about turning your Sauna on from your phone.
If you’ve gotten this far, you’re clearly interested (or maybe you’ve already started) in building your very own Sauna. We’re excited that you’re considering joining us in Sauna! Should you have questions on any part of your build, give us a call. We’ll be happy to point you in the right direction, or help you source components needed for your project (one of the biggest is wood, we offer many types of Sauna wood for DIYers).