| Building a home sauna need not be an arduous or | | | | simulate the hot stone effect of a conventional |
| difficult task. In fact it is within the reach of most | | | | wood or gas stove, but without fumes, gases |
| do-it-yourself home improvers and, just like any | | | | and toxins. Infra red heaters use safe radiation to |
| project, the key is good planning and a methodical | | | | warm the surface of the skin (similar to sunshine) |
| approach to the location, design and build of the | | | | and do not increase air temperature. |
| sauna. | | | | 5. Materials and kit type |
| 1. Location | | | | Obtain all of the sauna materials required. This can |
| The first thing to decide is where to locate your | | | | most easily, cheaply and effectively be done by |
| sauna. This will determine its maximum size and | | | | buying a sauna home fabrication kit. These kits |
| the availability of energy sources and ventilation. | | | | can be purchased based on sauna size, desired |
| With electric, gas and wood burning stoves, plus | | | | heater type (and power output) and room fitting |
| new infra red heaters, there is plenty of choice. | | | | requirements. Sauna kits come in two forms. |
| These options make the locating of a home sauna | | | | 5.1 The first is a package of lining materials, |
| possible in an unused bedroom, study, bathroom, | | | | benches, a door and a heater and it is ideal for |
| loft, cellar, garage or separate outbuilding or cabin. | | | | converting a room within a house into an integral |
| 2. Size | | | | sauna. The kit materials use the existing walls, |
| Sauna size may affect the choice of location. | | | | ceiling and floor as the surrounding structure and |
| Unused bedrooms are often selected and these | | | | the sauna lining is assembled directly on to these |
| can usually meet most home sauna requirements. | | | | structural elements. Some cutting, drilling and gluing |
| If however the sauna is only intended for one or | | | | is required, but everything necessary to build the |
| two users at a time it may be possible to | | | | sauna is included in the kit. |
| partition off a section of a bathroom. | | | | 5.2 The second option is a prefabricated sauna kit |
| 3. Cost | | | | which is a more pre-assembled version of the |
| It is important to have a budget in mind. Materials | | | | basic kit and which requires only minimal assembly. |
| like the timber wall and ceiling linings, plus bench | | | | This type of sauna kit is self supporting and does |
| seating, can be estimated by the square yard | | | | not require walls or a ceiling to attach to. |
| (metre), so the bigger the more expensive. | | | | Furthermore, a prefabricated sauna kit can include |
| Additionally, a large sauna will require a more | | | | weatherproof walls, a pitched roof, a solid floor |
| powerful heater, or multiple heaters/stoves. | | | | and windows, making it ideal as a free standing |
| 4. Heat source | | | | cabin or annex in the garden or yard. This kind of |
| Decide on the kind of heater required. All fossil | | | | kit is more expensive and less of a project for |
| fuel burning stoves require a flue, so saunas | | | | the "home makeover expert", but it is fast and |
| situated within the home can be fitted more easily | | | | easy to erect and provides an operational sauna |
| if they use an electric stove, or an infra red | | | | in a matter of hours. |
| heater. In the case of a stove, an electric unit will | | | | |