1. Heater
You heard it here first, the heater is the most important feature of your sauna, as it will dictate your spacing requirements, wood types and cost of the project.
Coming to terms with the type of heater that you want is the first thing you should do before building a sauna. Each heat source differently affects ease of use, heat quality, and humidity levels, and what works best for you is high individual.
2. Bench Seating
Most saunas are built with a single row of seats, stacked seating, or an L-shaped design. These are the best variations for optimal heat efficiency and maximising space.
The typical width of a bench seat is from 18 to 24 inches. If you’re going to choose between one or the either, we’d recommending going large, to easily accommodate for laying down.
3. Ventilation
Having adequate ventilation is high important for your safety and sauna’s longevity. Improper ventilation can cause a lack of fresh oxygen and buildup of heat and humidity – something you certainly want to avoid!
Effective air flow usually consists of a combination of intake vents, exhaust vents, vent grills, door vents, and roof vents. Ultimately, more is better than less, and it’s best to have an easily operative system.
4. Lighting
Lighting for your sauna should be soft, warm, and positioned indirectly to prevent glare. It must also be able to handle high heat and humidity so waterproof systems tend to be the best options.
It’s essential that you get the lighting right on the first try, as they can be difficult to install, and may experience permanent damage. To avoid potential issues, it’s best to consult with a sauna specialist.
5. Insulation
Insulation is a crucial component of any sauna for getting the best heat efficiency. Effective insulation will save you time during the heat-up process and save you energy required for the heater.
The best insulators are fiberglass, mineral wool, reflective foil, and closed-cell spray foam. Modifying the insulation of a prefabricated sauna can easily be done by applying a barrier of reflective foil along the walls, as seen in this video.