SaunaBuilder University

Yes. A traditional sauna experience includes pouring water over the hot rocks to create steam.

The key is to pour slowly and in small amounts so the water evaporates immediately when it hits the stones. If you notice water pooling beneath the heater, you are adding too much at once. Simply slow down and allow the rocks to fully absorb and vaporize the water before adding more.

This ensures proper steam production and helps protect the heater over time.

Electric sauna heaters are designed to reach a maximum temperature of 90°C (194°F), in accordance with CSA standards.

Actual temperatures inside the sauna may vary slightly depending on factors such as insulation, outdoor conditions, and ventilation.

Use a soft cotton cloth with warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap, such as Sunlight, to gently wipe down the benches and floor.

Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, as they can damage the wood and affect the sauna environment.

Great care has gone into the design of the sauna and the selection of materials to ensure it maintains a pristine appearance with minimal effort.

The metal roof carries a 40 year manufacturer’s warranty and requires no maintenance. The wood composite siding, including roof trim and exterior corners, carries a 50 year manufacturer’s warranty and should not require upkeep.

The cedar accents on the exterior, such as the deck boards and privacy walls, are finished with a semi transparent stain and do not require regular maintenance. However, applying a quick touch up coat every three to four years will help keep the wood elements looking their best.

When considering the electrical requirements for an indoor sauna, we break them into two main categories. The first is the electrical requirements for the sauna stove or heater. The second is the electrical requirements for the lighting system.

A very common question we receive is about sauna stove specifications. These specifications cannot be finalized until the sauna design is complete. In order to recommend appropriate sauna heater options, we need to know the total interior volume of the sauna.

This volume is calculated by multiplying the interior length, width, and height of the sauna and accounting for the amount of glass in the space. Once these parameters are defined, the total volume is expressed in cubic feet.

Every sauna stove is designed to heat a specific range of cubic footage. Selecting the correct heater depends entirely on matching the stove’s output to the final sauna volume, ensuring proper performance, comfort, and longevity of the system.

Ventilation is one of the most debated topics in sauna design, but there are a few fundamental principles that must be followed. In general, the goal is to achieve approximately six air changes per hour based on the total cubic volume of the sauna.

Sauna stove manufacturers provide specific guidance on the required size of the fresh air opening based on the heater being used. In most residential applications, we install a passive through wall vent that draws air from an adjacent room. This adjacent room is supplied with conditioned air by the home’s HVAC system, meaning the air entering the sauna is clean and filtered.

The fresh air intake is typically not connected directly to the exterior of the home. Instead, it is usually located as close to the sauna stove as possible and positioned low near the floor to support proper air circulation.

Exhaust air is where ventilation design becomes more complex. If air is mechanically exhausted from a sauna, meaning it is actively drawn out with a fan, the size, location, and necessity of that exhaust system depend entirely on the size of the sauna and its location within the home.

When hot, humid air is mechanically moved through concealed spaces to be exhausted outdoors, there is a risk of condensation forming if the system is not carefully designed. For most residential saunas, a mechanically exhausted system is not required in every case. Each sauna ventilation strategy must be designed specifically for the sauna’s size, volume, and placement within the home.

Yes, it can if the sauna is not designed and constructed correctly. One of the most critical components of a traditional sauna is the sauna stove. All traditional sauna stoves are designed with electric heating elements inside the stove and a cavity around those elements that is filled with sauna rocks.

The sole purpose of the sauna rocks is to absorb and store heat from the heating elements. These rocks become superheated during operation, allowing water to be poured over them to instantly create steam. This heat and steam combination defines the traditional sauna experience, but it also introduces moisture into the space.

If a sauna is not built properly, heat and moisture can escape the sauna room and potentially damage surrounding areas of the home or nearby building assemblies. For this reason, we do not recommend freestanding saunas placed inside a home, as they do not adequately protect the surrounding structure.

In our opinion, indoor saunas should be permanently built in saunas. The wall and ceiling assemblies should be fully insulated to retain heat within the sauna, and a proper vapor barrier must be incorporated to prevent moisture from migrating into the rest of the home.

If you are considering installing an indoor sauna, it is critical that the wall and ceiling cavities are designed to both retain heat and contain moisture entirely within the sauna room.

The most common areas where we install indoor saunas are ensuite bathrooms and basement gym areas or basement bathrooms. That said, there are very few limitations on where an indoor sauna can be located inside a home. A well built indoor sauna is designed to manage heat and humidity properly, which means it can be installed in a wide variety of spaces throughout the home.

When choosing a location for an indoor sauna, one of the most important factors to consider is practicality. Simply put, the sauna should be placed somewhere you are naturally drawn to and will use regularly. There are often multiple possible locations in a home, but if you are choosing between an ensuite bathroom that you use every day and an undeveloped basement space that you rarely visit, the ensuite location will almost always result in more frequent use.

Another key consideration is contrast therapy and how you will cool down after a sauna session. The most common cooling method we see paired with indoor saunas is an indoor shower. Cold plunge tubs can also be installed inside the home. Having a dedicated area to cool down and rinse off after coming out of the sauna hot and dripping with sweat is critical to the overall experience.

If you are designing a home from scratch or planning a major renovation, placing the sauna adjacent to a shower or cold plunge can dramatically elevate the experience. We also recommend tiling throughout the surrounding area so the path of travel from sauna to shower is fully protected. This ensures that moisture is managed properly and that transitions between hot and cold are both comfortable and durable over the long term.

We always want to be careful when discussing specific health benefits because we are not medical experts.

That said, there is a growing body of scientific research on sauna use. Some of the largest studies published in medical journals have explored links between regular sauna bathing and reduced cardiovascular risk, particularly in long-term studies of sauna culture in Finland.

Rather than making medical claims, we encourage clients to review published scientific literature and speak with qualified health professionals if they are looking for specific health guidance.

What we can confidently speak to is how people commonly feel during and after sauna use. Many clients describe the experience as similar to the recovery and relaxation you get after a workout. People often report improved sleep, better relaxation, and an overall sense of well-being.

We encourage anyone interested in sauna to try both traditional and infrared styles and pay attention to how their body responds. The benefits are often something you can feel firsthand, and personal experience is one of the best ways to understand what works best for you.

The main difference between a traditional sauna and an infrared sauna comes down to the heating source and the overall environment inside the room.

A traditional sauna uses either a wood-burning or electric heater that is located inside the sauna room. This heater warms the air through convection and also gives off radiant heat. Traditional saunas typically operate at higher temperatures, usually between 60 and 100 degrees Celsius.

A key feature of any traditional sauna is the cavity inside the heater that is filled with sauna-specific stones. The sole purpose of these stones is to become superheated by the firebox in a wood-burning stove or the heating elements in an electric stove. Once heated, water can be poured over the stones to create steam, which adds humidity and defines the classic traditional sauna experience.

An infrared sauna works differently. Instead of heating the air, it uses infrared panels that emit infrared waves. The heat is absorbed more directly by the body, and bathers generally need to be positioned in front of the panels to receive the infrared energy.

The construction of the two sauna types also differs. Traditional saunas require well-insulated wall, floor, and ceiling assemblies to retain heat. A proper vapor barrier is also critical to prevent moisture from entering the building structure. The wood species and hardware must be carefully selected to withstand high heat and humidity.

Infrared saunas operate at lower temperatures and do not produce steam or moisture. Because of this, insulation is less critical, vapor barriers are not required, and the materials inside the sauna are not exposed to the same harsh conditions. As a result, the selection of wood species and hardware is generally less demanding than in a traditional sauna.

The maximum temperature of your indoor sauna depends on the stove manufacturer and the CSA safety standards that regulate how hot a sauna heater can operate.

In general, traditional style saunas are designed to run within a temperature range of 60 to 90 degrees Celsius, allowing you to adjust the heat based on your personal comfort and preferred sauna experience.

The design phase is one of the most important parts of the entire sauna process. A well planned layout not only improves the sauna experience but also ensures the build itself goes smoothly.

When designing your indoor sauna, consider:

• How the sauna connects to the surrounding space
• Proximity to contrast therapy, such as a shower or cold plunge
• How the area outside the sauna will be used
• How the sauna fits into your daily routine and lifestyle

Location plays a major role in long term enjoyment. Access to a shower or cold plunge is especially valuable, as many sauna users incorporate hot and cold cycles into their sessions.

The most common configurations we see are basement spa areas where the sauna, home gym, and shower share one cohesive space. Ensuite bathrooms are also popular, with the sauna placed beside a shower or steam shower to create a complete in home spa experience.

Thinking through what you will do before and after each sauna session helps determine the ideal location, flow, and overall layout within your home. A thoughtful design ensures your sauna becomes a seamless and enjoyable part of everyday life rather than just a standalone feature.

Sauna size is one of the most important design decisions you will make. When we talk about sizing an indoor sauna, we are referring to three key dimensions:

• Ceiling height
• Length
• Depth

A well designed sauna carefully balances all three to deliver proper heat circulation, comfort, and a versatile bathing experience.

Ceiling height

The standard ceiling height for an indoor sauna is 84 inches, measured from the unfinished floor to the bottom of the ceiling framing.

This height allows for both upper and lower benches, typically positioned at 36 inches and 18 inches off the floor. These elevations are intentional and help create distinct thermal zones within the sauna. Bathers can move between hotter and cooler areas, adjusting their experience based on preferred heat and steam levels.

Because ceiling height and bench placement work together to control airflow and temperature stratification, we rarely recommend modifying these dimensions. They play a major role in creating a well-functioning and comfortable sauna.

Length of the sauna

The length of the sauna is largely determined by how many people you would like to seat along the bench.

A common planning guideline is 30 inches of bench width per person, which provides a comfortable amount of space.

Another factor is whether you want the option to lie down during sessions. If full recline is important, the sauna must be long enough to accommodate taller users, which may influence the final footprint.

Depth of the sauna

Sauna depth is driven by practical layout requirements for benches, heater placement, and safe circulation.

A properly designed indoor sauna typically includes:

• An upper bench that is 18 to 22 inches wide
• A lower bench that is 18 to 22 inches wide
• Space in front of the lower bench for the sauna heater
• A clear and comfortable walking path

An interior framing depth of 60 inches or more is generally considered comfortable.

When ceiling height, length, and depth are planned together, the best results come from placing your sauna in an area where none of these measurements are overly restricted. Adequate proportions in all directions allow the sauna to perform as intended.

Location plays a major role in how enjoyable and practical your sauna will be.

One of the most important considerations is where you will cool off between sauna rounds. In most homes this is a shower, but it may also be a cold plunge tub.

Because you will be moving between hot and cold while wet and perspiring, minimizing the distance between the sauna and your contrast therapy setup improves comfort, safety, and overall flow. The closer these elements are, the more efficient the layout becomes.

It is also valuable to include a relaxation area nearby. Having space to sit, cool down, and fully enjoy the process enhances the entire experience.

The most common arrangement we see combines a home gym, shower, and sauna into one cohesive wellness zone.

Thinking through what you will do before and after each sauna session is extremely helpful when choosing the ideal location within your home. A thoughtful layout ensures the sauna fits naturally into your lifestyle and daily routine.