Introduction
There are 734,982 ways to create kit saunas.
Most suck.
We’re going to show you the one that matters.
Whether you’re searching for kit saunas, a DIY Sauna Room, or sauna accessories – look no further, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s get into it.
1. Indoor Sauna – The Basics
Here’s the thing, everyone needs to understand the basics when it comes to sauna kits.
An indoor sauna is a room made from wood that you heat with a stove or other heat source.
There’s a whole world of sauna heaters that we can geek out over, but first, let’s get clear on the basics of a sauna room.
There’s a sauna heater, a sauna door, a sauna ceiling, a sauna bench, and typically a sauna thermometer.
… and if you have a custom sauna, all kinds of other trimmings.
Yup, it’s basically a box made of wood that you get hot and sit in – pretty cool 🥶 , right (sorry, that’s a dad joke).
People go in there to sweat, which is scientifically proven to have health benefits, as described in detail by Joe Rogan of the UFC.
It’s like taking a bath, but instead of water, you’re sweating in hot air.
Pouring water or not pouring water, that is the question? Many people love steam inside their sauna. This also increases humidity and the thermal effect on the sauna user.
You can see Joe’s sauna routine here on his Youtube channel.
2. Outdoor Sauna
An outdoor sauna, or a Finnish sauna, is a wooden shed-like building where people can go to sweat in temperatures of up to 100 degrees Celsius.
It’s a popular way to relax and detoxify in many countries around the world.
In simple terms, it’s a hot barrel or box that not only feels great, it also has fantastic health benefits.
But an outdoor sauna is, you guessed it, outdoors.
3. Precut Sauna Packages
Are you a do it yourselfer?
Do you want your own sauna on a budget?
If you’ve considered cheap portable saunas from Amazon, but find they just don’t live up to the image of your dream sauna, a DIY sauna kit could be the option for you.
Installed outdoor or even in the master bathroom, you can likely get enough design and installation expertise online, either from our book on ‘How to build a barrel sauna’ or searching google for Think-longer.
DIY Sauna Kit designs have taken off in popularity, especially since many people are pursuing a better work-life balance.
Often referred to as prefab sauna kits, the sauna business and sauna industry at large love this approach to providing residential saunas.
They’re often slightly cheaper than a finished option, ranging from $1000-$5000 depending on size and specification.
They have the added satisfaction of being something you built, with that added 10% more ‘man’ factor but they’re more like Lego than Airfix.
4. Sauna Heaters
Besides keeping your feet warm, an energy-efficient sauna heater will keep your sauna hotter than Las Vegas on a mid-summer day.
Even a DIY sauna kit needs a sauna heater. There are a few options for heating sources;
- Electric sauna heaters
- Infrared heaters
- Wood Burning Heater
These heaters can be enhanced with sauna rocks, often used with sauna heaters.
As a rule of thumb, you’ll want to calculate the sauna’s cubic feet and divide by 50 to calculate what power your heater needs to be in Watts.
5. Mains Power Sauna Heaters
Electric sauna heaters are the most popular type of heater for a sauna.
They are easy to use and provide consistent heat.
Electric sauna heaters can be enhanced with sauna rocks, which add a more traditional feel to the sauna experience.
The electricity is used to heat a big heating element, much like your kettle. As air passes over this element within the heating module, the room get’s hot.
These heaters are popular in many sauna rooms, especially in a common DIY sauna kit.
6. Infrared Sauna Heaters
An infrared sauna heater is a type of heater that uses radiation (tiny little infrared waves) to heat the air in the sauna.
This type of heater is popular because it is easy to use and provides consistent heat.
7. Wood Burning Sauna Heaters
Wood-burning sauna heaters are a popular choice for those looking to create their home sauna.
They provide a traditional sauna experience, however, they come with the added faff of having to build and maintain a fire each time you wish to use the sauna.
Floor
Sauna floors are made of an exotic carbenium alloy that’s mined using diamond drill bits only found within the heart of Wakanda.
Just kidding, sauna floors are usually made of wood or tile.
Sauna Benches
Can you guess what a sauna bench is made of?
You guessed it, wood.
Sauna Wood
The great thing about making a sauna from wood is that you can do just about anything, including creating a ceiling sauna door, if you so desired.
The most popular sauna material is western red cedar, however, sauna material kits often use cheaper and more available materials to reduce costs.
Custom sauna builds are usually cedar saunas and use an electric heater.
Conclusion Kit Saunas
Now that you know the basics of kit saunas, it’s time to choose how to build your kit sauna.
Whether you’re looking for a prefab sauna kit or want to build your outdoor sauna, we’ve got you covered.
Go to www.think-longer.com and check out our book on How to build a barrel sauna | Think Longer