Wood Fired Sauna

[Feugh]

One of the things I like about this place is that you can ask for advice in relation to just about anything and you get some sensible answers back. Will the SD massive deliver this time?

I’m looking into getting a wood fired sauna for the garden, something that will sit 4-6 people max and with a footprint of around 6x8ft. Have any of you got experience with these? Companies to use, companies to avoid, burners worth looking at, that sort of thing.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Rake Aboot]

Sound braw

Although shutting yourself in a wooden shed then lighting a fire in it ,,,,,,,

 

[graphictart]

I suppose the question is whats your budget?

 

[Bavarianbrit]

I worked in Finland in 1996 and bought a sauna stove there for my UK house it cost new then over there £35, was nice looking too still have all the stone you put on top somewhere in the shed. I never got around to getting it up and running and sold it on for the same price when I left the UK in 2002. Try interneting the Finland sites they may be much cheaper over there.

 

[graphictart]

Now a quick google shows me these:
Not too shabby, give them a call and ask them about the stove they use maybe?
Can I post eBay links?

Outdoor Barrel Sauna 4.0m x (Ã 1,97 m) | eBay

Outdoor Barrel Sauna 4.0m x (Ø 1,97 m) with glass wall. 2m long sauna room, 1.4m changing room and 40cm porch. Glass wall £650 extra. We manufacture these barrels and it can be made any size.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Swedish]

 

[Feugh]

I suppose the question is whats your budget?
View attachment 346426

The budget is more than that! Up to £5k I suppose but I’d be happy not spending that much if I can get a good product with a recommendation from someone who has used it.

 

[urban]

I know the person who runs the Brighton beach sauna Brighton Beach Sauna Spa | Beach Box Spa. She recommends these people - Small Home Sauna: 2-4 Person Outdoor Garden Sauna | Wildhut. I don't know anything about them but they look like they're probably quite expensive.

 

[Freeforester]

Disclaimer - Ive got ZERO experience with wood fired saunas, but Harvia seem to be a recognised name in the game where the actual heat source is concerned. From there the building structure can be one’s personal choice according to taste and design preferences.

I personally prefer the outdoor hot tub, from where to contemplate the satellites, shooting stars, Northern lights and the cosmos in general, though of course I acknowledge the benefits of the sauna too, I just prefer the glass of fizz not to be sullied by drips of sweat off my nose!

Harvia Products

Our passion is to share the healing heat of sauna with the world and make it accessible for all to experience Relaxing Moments and Natural Wellbeing.

www.harvia.com

 

[jthyttin]

How hot would you run it, like real Scandinavian sauna or something watered down? How would you get water there, would it be cold or cold+hot and where the used water would go? Traditionally you'd wash yourself in the sauna, and I highly recommend getting at least some method of rinsing yourself inside (it can be bucket). Also recommend some kind of decking, patio etc. where you can keep feet free of mud, debris etc. when you cool down outside during the session. Maybe sunroof too, be nicer if it rains.

When selecting the burner, there are some simple rules to use. Burners are usually rated for a bracket of cubic meters, and this assumes certain insulation and wooden structure. Glass door, tiling, large windows will affect the calculation. Burner manufacturers should have these listed. Make the sauna tall enough. When you're sitting, your feet should be above the level of stones in the burner.

You would probably use "light flue" i.e. metal tube that has proper insulation and another layer of metal. You might also consider installing the burner so that it's fed from the outside. This is not traditional in Finland for small saunas, but it does prevent wood chips etc. accumulating in the sauna, saves a bit space and makes it easier to add some protective structure around the burner (protecting people getting burned, that is) Caveat is, most small burners are not desiged for that so you should be extra careful not to cause fire hazard with installation, and proof it so that rodents etc. cannot get inside the sauna.