What are DIY sauna plans, how much do they cost, and should I buy one?
As the name suggests, DIY sauna plans are plans that you can use to build your own sauna.
Whether you’re looking for a:
- Cheap DIY Sauna
- Luxury Finnish Sauna or a
- Traditional Wood Burning Stove Sauna room
We’re here to show you how to build a homemade sauna.
Outdoor saunas, DIY indoor sauna plans or sauna kit consists of all the materials and instructions you need to build a sauna.
If you’d like to receive a free email series explaining how to build a barrel sauna in 9 Simple Steps, click here.
Now, when it comes to the price of these plans, it depends on many factors, such as
- Sauna Walls
- Sauna heaters
- Size of the sauna
- Sauna accessories
- What type of sauna heaters do you want to use
- Is it an outdoor or indoor sauna (or would you prefer a DIY Hot Tub?)
If you’re trying to answer the question:
Should I buy a sauna?
You should know that Building your own sauna is a great way to save money and keep a home sauna space costs low, as it can be up to 30% – 40% cheaper than buying a ready-made sauna.
On average, these sauna builds cost around $3,000 to $20,000 (or more) depending on the above-mentioned factors, making a custom sauna a great alternative for an enthusiastic DIY-er.
You can buy sauna plans for less than $100, and allow your budget and resourcefulness to keep your DIY sauna build costs low.
Why Build Your Own Sauna?
There are many reasons why you should consider building your own sauna. Here are some of the most common ones:
1. You can save a lot of money: As we mentioned before, building your own sauna can be up to 30% – 40% cheaper than buying a ready-made one.
Plus, you can customize it to perfectly fit your needs and budget. You don’t have to spend a fortune to get the sauna of your dreams!
2. You have complete control over the design: By building your sauna, you get to choose every single detail of its design including everything from sauna walls to the bench design.
From the size and shape to the materials and accessories such as a hot tub or decorations, you can make sure that your sauna is exactly the way you want it.
3. You can build it exactly where you want it: If you buy a ready-made sauna, you’re limited to wherever it will fit in your home.
But if you build your own, you can put it wherever you want – even outdoors! In addition, you can also easily move it if you need to.
4. It’s a fun DIY project: Building your custom sauna can be a fun and satisfying DIY project.
If you’re the type of person who enjoys working with your hands and taking on new challenges, this is definitely the project for you.
You can also ask your family and friends to help you out, which will make the whole experience even more enjoyable.
5. It’s not that hard to build: Most people think that building a sauna is a difficult and complicated task. But in reality, it’s actually quite simple and straightforward.
With the right guidance and instructions, anyone can do it! DIY sauna kits make it even easier by providing everything you need in one convenient package.
Different types of sauna
Now when it comes to DIY saunas, there are quite a few types that you can choose from:
1. Wood burning sauna
If you are looking for a traditional sauna then this is the one for you.
A Wood burning DIY sauna is typically made out of cedar, spruce, or hemlock and they use wood as their main heating source.
There will be wood burning stove inside the sauna that you will need to stoke with wood in order to produce heat.
These saunas require more maintenance than electric saunas but they offer a more authentic experience. These wood-burning saunas are hugely popular in the North American sauna society.
Price: $3,000 – $15,000
2. Infrared sauna
As the name suggests, these saunas use infrared light to heat up the body directly without heating up the air around you.
Infrared saunas are powered by infrared heaters and produce a much more balanced temperature than traditional saunas, making them more comfortable for some people.
These saunas are medically proven to have many health benefits and can be used for things like pain relief, detoxification, and weight loss.
Price: $2,000 – $12,000
3. Electric saunas
Electric saunas are one of the most popular types of saunas as they are very easy to use and maintain.
They are powered by electricity and use electric heaters to generate heat. These heaters can be placed inside or outside of the sauna, depending on your preference.
Electric saunas typically have more features than other types of saunas, such as lights, music players, and temperature controls.
Price: $1,000 – $10,000
4. Barrel saunas
Barrel saunas are a type of sauna that is shaped like a barrel, most popular are Luxury 6 Person Barrel Saunas. These saunas are very popular because they are very efficient and easy to use.
You can use any type of heater with a barrel sauna but they are typically powered by electricity. Barrel saunas can accommodate more people than other types of saunas and they also have more features, such as windows and doors.
Thanks to its barrel shape, it can regulate the heat better which makes it more comfortable for some people.
Price: $3,000 – $12,000
5. Portable saunas
Portable saunas are a great option if you want to be able to take your sauna with you wherever you go.
As the name suggests, A portable sauna is small enough to be transported and can be set up in any room in your home. You will have a portable bike sauna, portable car sauna, and so on.
These saunas are typically powered by electricity and use infrared heaters to generate heat. Portable saunas are very easy to use and maintain and they offer many of the same features as other types of saunas.
Price: $500 – $2,000
6. Finnish saunas
Finnish saunas are the most traditional type of sauna and they are very popular in Finland.
These saunas are typically made out of wood and they use wood-burning sauna stoves to generate heat. Finnish saunas are known for being very dry and hot, which some people find to be very uncomfortable.
However, these sauna stoves offer an authentic sauna experience and are very popular among sauna enthusiasts.
Price: $3,000 – $15,000
How to build your own sauna?
So now that we know one or two things about these relaxing rooms, it’s time to get into the nitty-gritty and show you how to build your own sauna at home. You may wonder about handmade DIY Sauna Stoves.
Building a sauna is not as difficult as it may seem and with a little bit of effort, you can have your own personal sauna in the comfort of your home.
Here are some things that you will need to do in order to build your own sauna:
1. Choose your location
First thing first, you need to choose where you want to build your sauna.
You will need to find a spot in your home that is large enough to accommodate the sauna and all of its features.
You will also need to make sure that the location you choose has access to electricity as most saunas require electricity to operate.
If it’s an outdoor sauna, make sure to check the weather conditions in your area as you don’t want to build your sauna in a spot that is prone to flooding or other weather damage.
2. Choose your home sauna kit
Once you have chosen the perfect location for your sauna, it’s time to choose your sauna kit.
Now you have to do some calculations considering your budget and how much space do you have for the sauna.
If you want a smaller sauna that can accommodate 2-3 people, then you should look for a sauna kit that is around 4 feet by 6 feet.
On the other hand, if you want a larger sauna that can accommodate up to 8 people, then you should look for a sauna kit that is around 8 feet by 12 feet.
Depending on the size, the price might fluctuate.
3. Choose your heater
The next thing you need to do is choose your heater.
There are a few different types of heaters that you can choose from, such as electric heaters, wood-burning stoves, and gas heaters.
It is important to choose the right type of heater for your sauna as each type has its own set of benefits and drawbacks.
So make sure to do your research and choose the type of heater that is right for you and your sauna.
4. Choose your sauna accessories
Now it’s time to choose the accessories for your sauna.
Some of the most popular sauna accessories include sauna benches, a sauna door, buckets, ladles, etc.
You can also add other features to your saunas, such as a television or a stereo system.
Again, it is important to do your research and choose the right accessories for your sauna.
5. Assemble your sauna
Now it’s time to put everything together and assemble your sauna.
Pick your DIY sauna guide and start following the instructions. Make sure to take your time and read the instructions carefully so that you don’t make any mistakes.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask for help from a friend or family member who is more experienced in this area.
If you find it too much complicated, make sure to get professional help so that your sauna is assembled correctly and safely.
6. Maintain your sauna regularly
Now that you have your very own sauna, it is important to take care of it and maintain it on a regular basis.
Make sure to clean your sauna after every use and check the heater on a regular basis to make sure that it is in good working condition.
Also, make sure to replace the wood-burning stove every few months so that it doesn’t start to deteriorate.
7. Enjoy your sauna
Finally, it’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy your new sauna.
Make sure to invite your friends and family over so that they can enjoy the sauna as well.
And don’t forget to take some pictures to look back and remember the good times you had in your very own sauna.
Conclusion
Building your own sauna is a great way to enjoy the benefits of a sauna without having to go to a sauna center or spa. It is also a great way to save money as you will no longer have to pay for sauna sessions.
So if you are thinking about building your own sauna, then make sure to follow the tips and tricks mentioned in this article. And most importantly, have fun and enjoy your new sauna.