Coming Soon: Sauna
Coming Soon: Sauna
I am in the process of building two sauna prototypes. As I finish them up and perfect my build I will be uploading more pictures. I want to be in full swing fulfilling orders by 2026. Once I get the first one wired in and tested, I will release advertising and notices to most everyone who purchased a WATTA cold plunge to see if they might be interested.
Starting at $10,000 for sauna setup:
$12,545 for sauna plus plunge ($750 discount):
AI Renderings of what I’m planning:
This rendering looks just like the first sauna I’m building. It measures 6 feet wide and 4 feet deep on the inside, with a 6-inch overhang on all sides of the roof covered in metal. It’s designed to comfortably fit two people, with enough space to lie down. The top bench sits 42 inches below the ceiling and 36 inches above the floor, positioning your head near the ceiling where the air is nice and hot.
This rendering resembles the 5x5 interior sauna I’m currently building. The main difference between this image and my design is that the benches are positioned on the high-slope side, while the window is on the low-slope side. This setup directs heat toward your body and head, allowing the heater to operate as efficiently as possible. The door will be a smaller, 65-inch-tall door located on the sloped side of the sauna, reducing heat loss and creating a clean, seamless look.
Features and Their Purposes:
Modular Design
I decided to make my saunas modular, with each wall built separately and then assembled seamlessly on-site. A combination of 3-, 6-, and 8-inch lag screws are strategically placed to secure the framing once it’s put together. This design makes delivery much easier for a small crew, even in hard-to-access areas, and also gives me more flexibility when storing and finishing the structures during the building process.
Cedar Floor
I decided to use cedar flooring with ¼-inch gaps to allow for drainage and air ventilation. Cedar naturally resists moisture and weathering, which is why it’s such a staple in sauna construction. The floor is sanded smooth and fastened using the CAMO screwing system, creating a clean surface with no exposed fasteners. Plus, the wooden floor keeps the sauna lightweight, making it easier to move for deliveries.
Heater
I primarily incorporate Harvia “Kip” heaters into my saunas, ranging from 3 kW to 9 kW depending on the sauna’s size. Each heater size requires a specific amperage on a 240 V circuit, so it’s important to ensure your electrical setup can handle the required load. Once the sauna is installed, a licensed electrician—either one of your choice or referred by WATTA—will complete the final electrical connection.
Roofing
I’ll primarily be using either metal roofing or Suntop corrugated polycarbonate roof panels. My prototype features classic metal roofing, as shown in the picture, but I’m also experimenting with the polycarbonate option. The polycarbonate panels are much lighter, which is important for modular setups, and they perform very similarly to metal panels—especially on small structures like these.
Insulation/Wall Structure
This is what separates quality saunas from the cheap little barrel kits. My saunas use traditional stud framing with R13 Rockwool insulation, while many budget saunas have only 1-inch-thick walls with virtually no insulation value. That makes their heat feel harsh and radiant from the heater instead of evenly distributed throughout the room. My walls are 5.5 inches thick from interior to exterior—nothing’s getting through that.
Cedar Cladding
The layering goes as follows: insulation → foil vapor barrier → ¼-inch cedar furring strips → 1x4 or 1x6 cedar shiplap. The ¼-inch cedar strips create an air gap that allows moisture to run down the foil instead of sitting directly against the cedar, promoting proper drying. The Western Red Cedar tongue-and-groove boards provide a rich, natural aroma and feel great on the skin after being sanded smooth.
Updated Photo Gallery:
I will try my hardest to upload more pictures as I make progress
Let me know if you are interested!
Whether you want to do a custom build or are interested in one of the designs I’m working on let me know. Ill keep you in the loop with updates or some I may have pre-made!