Sauna Design, Uncategorized

Where To Find The Best DIY Outdoor Sauna Plans

Are you thinking about building your own outdoor sauna? Well, you’ve come to the right place! As someone who is passionate about saunas, I am thrilled to share my experience and knowledge with you.

There are several ways to get an outdoor sauna, but I believe that the best way is to either DIY from scratch (if you have the time) or get a builder to do a custom build.

Barrel saunas and sauna kits may serve purpose, but nothing beats a cabin-style outdoor sauna like they have in Finland.

When you’re starting your outdoor sauna project, just like with building your own house, you want to begin with good outdoor sauna plans. This includes careful consideration of layout, ventilation, construction techniques, details, materials, and heater choice. You want to ensure that your sauna is well-thought-out to provide you with the best sauna experience possible.

Until recently, it was almost impossible to find outdoor sauna plans that included proper bench height, let alone check all these boxes. We are happy to say that good sauna plans are becoming easier to find.

What Makes a Good Outdoor Sauna Plan?

A good sauna plan consists of three key principles: heating, ventilation, and surroundings. The heating aspect involves ensuring enough heat and steam capacity to allow sweating and steam generation from the hot stove stones. Ventilation is important for fresh air circulation, removal of perspiration, carbon dioxide, and steam accumulation.

It should strike a balance between not creating chilling or burning sensations and not cooling off the sauna too quickly. Lastly, the surroundings of the sauna should be designed to support and enhance the sauna experience, preparing and helping the mind to absorb the sauna ritual.

Outdoor sauna layout

Good sauna layout is a key to building a good outdoor sauna. When in doubt, do it like the Fins do. Outdoor sauna should have a spacious changing room and a shower inside. The shower is not 100% necessary but it is a nice addition.

Sauna dimensions for 4 people should be at minimum 6’ x 6’ or 2 meters by 2 meters. All our projects are 2m by 2m or bigger. The ideal bench layout is benches adjacent to the wall, opposite the stove. With this type of layout you will avoid the awkward corner situation.

There is a lot more to a good outdoor sauna plans than the layout. Read below for more tips.

What is essential to a good sauna plan package?

When you consider buying outdoor sauna plans, make sure they have

  • Well thought out internal layout
  • Proper framing
  • Sauna suitable materials are specified ( no styrofoam!)
  • Proper ventilation for the type of stove.
  • Complete list of materials
  • Fire safety considered
  • Plumbing diagram

Materials Needed to Build an Outdoor Sauna

Your sauna will need several things. Depending on your layout and the site, the list of materials will vary. First, I will list the necessary items:

  1. 2 x 4’s for walls. ( 2×2’s if your are building an internal sauna)
  2. Rock Wool Insulation
  3. Aluminum Breather membrane
  4. Sauna Heater
  5. Sauna heater rocks (olivine diabase)
  6. Wood boards for internal and external siding
  7. Wood for benches
  8. Ventilation system
  9. Accessories (e.g. bucket, ladle, thermometer, hygrometer)
  10. Door with wooden handles
  11. Chimney system (if going with wood heater)

Nice to have:

  1. Plumbing, electricity
  2. Internal shower
  3. Window to the outside
  4. Thermally modified wood
  5. Wireless sauna heater control unit ( if going with electric heater)

Looking for the perfect outdoor sauna plan?

outdoor sauna plans

If you’re looking for the perfect outdoor sauna plan, look no further! We’ve done the work for you and designed a number of great outdoor saunas. Our plans include everything from sections, elevations, framing layouts, constructions step-by-step diagrams, and a bill of materials. A professional architect has done them and are without a doubt the best outdoor sauna plans available online.

I hope this article has given you some helpful insights into building your own outdoor sauna. Remember, a sauna is a long-term investment in your health and well-being, so take your time and enjoy the process. Happy building!

A good home sauna plan should prioritize two critical aspects: ventilation and electrical setup.

  1. Ventilation: It is essential to design for fresh air intake and steamy used air outtake. If the sauna is adjacent to a bathroom, it might be possible to use existing bathroom mechanical ventilation, but it’s not always a sure thing. Factors such as the distance from the hot room door to the vent need to be considered. Fresh air intake is also an important issue to address.
  2. Electrical: A 220v setup needs its own circuit and attention to the length/gauge of the wire. Hiring a licensed electrician can be costly, but it’s necessary for safety and proper setup.

Additionally, the changing room next to the hot room door should be more than just a place to dump your clothes. It should be a place to enjoy time between sauna rounds. If possible, create an outdoor space with a simple deck, patio chairs, and maybe a fire pit. Introducing some native greenery can also enhance the experience.

Lastly, it’s important to practice spending at least the same time cooling down as you do heating up. This allows your body enough time to cool down in a cool environment.

About Home Made Sauna

Wojciech Kumik: Architect, Sauna Enthusiast, and Dream Builder Wojciech Kumik, the visionary founder of Home Made Sauna, believes that everyone has the power to make their dreams a reality. A talented architect with a passion for small-scale projects, Wojciech is dedicated to helping people create their very own private garden saunas from start to finish. His unique blend of expertise, enthusiasm, and genuine care has enabled countless individuals to bring their dream saunas to life. The Journey Begins Wojciech's journey with Home Made Sauna began in mid-2020, when his parents asked him to design an outdoor sauna for their home. Eager to take on the challenge, he applied his architectural skills to create the perfect sauna experience. A few months later, Sauna Tuula, the first of his many sauna designs, was born. In April 2021, Wojciech and his father embarked on the construction process, working together to bring Sauna Tuula to life. The Rise of Sauna Tuula Wojciech's dedication and attention to detail in designing Sauna Tuula did not go unnoticed. When he shared the photos and project with online sauna communities, it quickly became a hit. People admired the aesthetics, attention to detail, and the passion he poured into the project. This overwhelming positive response inspired Wojciech to help others build their own saunas by creating and sharing detailed sauna plans. His mission was clear: to share his knowledge, experience, and love for saunas with the world. A Multifaceted Talent Wojciech Kumik is more than just an architect; he is also a motorcyclist and road cycling enthusiast. His love for designing on a small scale shines through in his work at Home Made Sauna. He not only designs saunas and creates stunning visualizations but also shares his expertise through articles and one-on-one guidance. At the heart of Wojciech Kumik's work is the desire to help others realize their dreams. His passion for saunas, coupled with his architectural expertise, has given many the opportunity to experience the joy and serenity of their own private garden saunas. With Home Made Sauna, Wojciech continues to inspire and assist individuals in turning their dreams into a reality.