N
InsightHorizon Digest

Where should a home sauna be placed

Author

Emma Miller

Updated on March 24, 2026

You can set your sauna on tile, concrete, carpet, laminate or wood. Make sure that your sauna is level, regardless of its location. If your sauna is placed outdoors, make sure there is adequate drainage so that water cannot pool around the base of the sauna. Do not place the sauna on grass, gravel or rock.

Can you put a sauna anywhere?

An indoor sauna may be constructed wherever you have a flat, even surface and enough space. You can add a sauna to a basement, garage, spare closet (seriously!), an attic, a dedicated space you create (like an addition to your home), or really anywhere you have the footage.

Where should I put my sauna heater?

The sauna heater should be placed on the same wall as the door, see figure 6. In an exceptional circumstance, the heater may be placed on a side wall, but as close as possible to the wall with the door. Fit the heater 170 mm above the floor, observing the regulations for the minimum distance to the side wall.

Can you put a sauna in a room?

No matter where you live, you can likely make an indoor sauna fit in your space. From placing one in the corner of a small apartment to having an entire room dedicated to sauna use, choosing an indoor sauna allows for a range of options for everyone (and every space) to enjoy.

Where can I put an infrared sauna in my house?

You can place your infrared sauna on any type of flooring, as long as it’s dry and level. If you decide to place it on carpet, you have no need to worry about equipment overheating or carpet being damaged. We’ve considered all manners of flooring, allowing our saunas to be adaptable within any home setting.

Can you put a sauna in a garage?

Because dry saunas only require a power source and not plumbing, they can go virtually anywhere—in the corner of a bathroom or guest bedroom, a garage, the backyard, etc. —and can be built as small as four by four square feet.

Can you put a sauna in a closet?

Indoor saunas can be created by converting a storage closet or a small bathroom. As long as you have access to a 120v for your heater or infrared lights, you could also build a sauna from scratch in a basement, garage or even an attic. Electric heater saunas and infrared saunas are the best for indoors.

Are home saunas safe?

In general, infrared saunas are considered safe for most people. However, if you’re on medications, have implanted medical devices, or have a medical condition — whether acute or chronic — you should be cautious.

Are home saunas worth it?

Having a sauna at home makes it easier for you to unwind and relax without having to get in the car, drive to a spa or gym, and pay a premium to use that facility. … Furthermore, having access to a sauna could help relieve muscle pain and work wonders for your mental health. That alone may be worth the investment.

Does a sauna need a water supply?

NO. Most residential saunas do not have a floor drain. Very little water is actually used in the sauna. However a drain is convenient for cleaning in heavy use saunas and commercial saunas.

Article first time published on

How do you vent a sauna?

The lower vent should be close to the floor and close to the sauna heater (allows the heater to work efficiently). Outlet vent should in the far corner from the sauna heater and inlet. The upper outlet vent is usually placed about 6″ below the ceiling. Typically, no ductwork is required for the vents.

What equipment is needed in a sauna?

You mainly need a heater unit, some tap water and an electrical outlet. For a traditional sauna you will need hammers, drills, a saw and some sand paper to assist in the building of a sauna. Besides these types of sauna equipment you will also need a hot towel rack to have your sauna towels warm and toasty dry.

How do I make my sauna hotter?

The base of your heater should sit no more than five to seven inches off of the floor of your sauna. If it’s too high, it’s only going to heat the space above the heater. If it’s lower, it’s going to heat more space. The second reason that your sauna might not be heating to temperature, is the placement of your stones.

Can you put saunas outside?

Yes! You can put an infrared sauna outside, just be sure to check that it is a sauna compatible with outdoor use – so… … Outdoor Barrel (outdoors) – When it comes to our range of saunas, this would be one of the most ideal options when it comes to what is the best outdoor sauna.

Can I put an indoor sauna outside?

If you are putting the sauna outside, make sure it is close enough to a GFI outlet with enough capacity. … You will need enough space for the unit you wish to install, whether it is a one person sauna, two person, three person, or even larger.

Can you put an infrared sauna in a closet?

You can use any space to design and fit your infrared sauna into. Yet, my suggestion for your sauna would be an extra bathroom, an unused laundry room or walk in closet. … The closet was a nice size – 5′ x 7′ x 10′. It was windowless but still had enough room for a deep bench and floor space.

What is the difference between a sauna and a steam room?

The big difference is in the type of heat that they provide. A sauna uses dry heat, usually from hot rocks or a closed stove. Steam rooms are heated by a generator filled with boiling water. … The key to the steam room’s unique health benefits is the humidity.

Can you put a sauna in the attic?

The space went from a stuffy storage space to a splendid spa, complete with sauna! Considering most homes’ natural tendency to collect heat in the attic, placing a shower and sauna in the attic space is a practical choice for anyone who likes stepping out onto a warm floor after a cleanse.

Can you put a sauna in a shed?

2. Convert a Shed into a Sauna. If you have an old shed or other outside building you don’t use, you don’t need to build a sauna from scratch – you can just convert the structure that’s already there.

Do you need planning permission for a sauna?

Outbuildings such as a shed to house an outdoor sauna are considered to be permitted development and therefore not in need of planning permission. … Maximum height of 2.5 metres in the case of a building, enclosure or container within two metres of a boundary of the curtilage of the dwelling-house.

Do saunas increase property value?

A sauna will definitely add value to your home, but most important, it will add quality to your life! … While a traditional, custom-built sauna can easily cost $25,000, Celebration Saunas sells pre-built, free-standing infrared saunas in a variety of sizes and prices that range from $1595 to $5895.

Do home saunas use a lot of electricity?

Usually, your sauna seller will be able to help you estimate how much power your sauna will use per hour. As a rough calculation, a 1000W sauna will use around 1 kWh (1 kilowatt per hour) of electricity.

Are saunas bad for your lungs?

Heat load, sauna air and sympathetic stimulation generally do not cause problems to the lungs. Electron microscopic studies have not shown irreversible damages to the airway epithelium. Sauna takers should avoid bathing during acute respiratory infections.

Is it OK to sauna everyday?

Number of sessions per week. Most facilities that offer infrared sauna treatments recommend using the sauna three to four days per week. If you are healthy and tolerate the four days, you can use the sauna daily.

Which is better infrared or steam sauna?

In terms of health benefits; while the hot air from a traditional steam sauna creates surface sweat, the gentle heat from infrared saunas raises the core body temperature – delivering a much deeper sweat, more intensive detoxification process and increased health benefits.

What is the healthiest type of sauna?

If you prefer lower temperatures but with body-penetrating heat, far-infrared sauna may be your best sauna choice.

Why do you put water on the rocks in a sauna?

Sauna rocks store heat from the sauna heater. When the bather throws water onto the hot rocks, the steam will blend with the dry air in the room, giving the bather an enjoyable and relaxing atmosphere. Never use the heater without stones, it may cause a fire.

How much does it cost to put a sauna in your house?

Home Sauna Costs The average sauna installation costs between $3,000 and $6,000. On average, you’ll spend about $4,500. Size and material costs play the biggest roles in what you’ll pay. Labor costs usually account for between $700 and $3,000 of the total price.

Do I need a floor drain in my sauna?

A Sauna must have a waterproof floor so that it can be easily washed and kept clean and sanitary, and free of odor. … Most residential Saunas do not need a floor drain, unless a water hose is used for cleaning.

What can I use for a sauna floor?

  • Life Floor Slate Tiles.
  • Life Floor Ripple Tiles.
  • SoftFlex Floor Tiles.
  • Patio Outdoor Tiles.
  • StayLock Perforated Tiles.
  • Heronrib Wet Area Safety Matting Rolls.

How do you insulate a dry sauna?

Insulation of the sauna room is important, with the ceiling being the most critical location to insulate well. Regular fiber-glass insulation plus an aluminum foil vapor barrier should be used. Electric heaters should be sized according to the size of the sauna.