Guides
Practical guides for planning, building and buying, with sources and dates.
Buying
Using a sauna
Building a sauna
Ventilation
Fresh air in by the heater, stale air out on the far side.
Bench height
Upper bench about 1–1.2 m below the ceiling, so heads sit in the heat.
Vapor barrier
Aluminium foil on the warm side, taped seams, an air gap behind the panel.
Sauna wood
Spruce, aspen, alder, cedar, hemlock and thermowood compared.
Build a sauna
The build order, materials and the jobs for professionals.
Sauna stones
Kilograms per heater, stone types, stacking and replacing.
Sauna door
Sizes, glass vs wood and how much heat glass costs.
Sauna lighting
Heat-rated fittings, placement and safety.
Comparisons
Infrared vs traditional
Hot air and steam, or radiant panels at lower air temperatures.
Barrel vs cabin
Small air volume and charm, or insulation and space.
Electric vs wood
Thermostat and convenience, or fire, firewood and a chimney.
Sauna vs steam room
Hot and dry vs warm and saturated, and how each is built.