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dixie53
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# Posted: 27 Dec 2021 20:43
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I got a nice little 6x8 shed from a neighbor, its 2x4 constructed with t&g pine exterior with tin over that. I'de like to make a sauna out of it but I know nothing about them. I assume i should insulate it and use cedar t&g for the inside but what about any kind of venting and a low cost heating system. Any help is appreciated.
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paulz
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# Posted: 28 Dec 2021 13:18
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No experience with saunas, haven't been in one for 40 years, but the main sources of heat we talk about around here are wood, gas and electric. I don't see why any of them couldn't be make to work depending on which is most convenient for you.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 28 Dec 2021 15:03
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A basic sauna is a plywood box with a little wood stove; not airtight or insulated.
Imo, with moist heat inside, I wouldnt want any insulation and a 6x8 wont be hard to heat up.
Ive got a '2 dog' woodstove with a 4" stack Ive been intending to use in an old 5x6 storage shed for a sauna. The stove is probably overkill but Ive got it.
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Brettny
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# Posted: 28 Dec 2021 15:28
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I would stick a wood stove in it as is. Then if that dosnt work put 2in foamboard on the interior and test it out again.
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fiftyfifty
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# Posted: 28 Dec 2021 19:55
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Options for heat: woodburning vs propane vs. electric. If your area gets below freezing I recommend wood. If your area is warmer, any of the 3 would be fine. Options for finishing the inside: all cedar is ideal, but pine T&G is also fine. You just don't want to let your bare skin touch any pine because you can get sap on yourself. You can make benches and backrests out of cedar so you won't be resting against the pine. Insulation: If your area is warm, uninsulated could be fine. If it is very cold, insulation will really help. You can either put insulation between the stud bays, then panel over this with cedar etc., or you can take the metal off the outside of the shed, put sheet foam over the existing pine T&G and then put the metal back on. The most important part to insulate is the roof, followed by walls, and floor least important.
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802forester
Member
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# Posted: 1 Feb 2022 08:17
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If heating with wood, I would encourage you to consider cutting a hole in a wall larger than the woodstove. Then do some crude masonry around the stove so that you feed it from the outside and the body of the stove is in the interior. I have built 2 saunas that way. Been in plenty others with the stove fully inside. You end up keeping the mess outside, smoke is never an issue, and when you come out of the hot sauna on a 0 degree night you can cool off next to the feed door.
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skootamattaschmidty
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# Posted: 1 Feb 2022 09:23
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I built a log cabin sauna with inside dimensions approximately 10x10. It's heated with a wood stove inside the sauna. If I had to do it over I would do the exterior feed like 802forester mentioned. It would save a lot of space. Aside from the logs, no insulation in mine...it gets plenty hot inside. I do have 2" thick insulation on the roof under the metal...
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 1 Feb 2022 09:53
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Those last two posts are great  ; my languishing sauna project just got revived!
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gsreimers
Member
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# Posted: 1 Feb 2022 15:20
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There used to be a gentleman on this site a lot named Owen Christensen. I actually met him through this site and he built my cabin. His business is Christensen Saunas, out of Duluth MN. If your looking for some inspiration for sauna ideas, google his site. Very nice workmanship.
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arp
Member
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# Posted: 2 Feb 2022 20:37
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www.saunatimes.com is a great resource
I would go with a wood burner for sure. I built a barrel sauna using 2x6 spruce from the lumber store. No insulation. I made a simple wood stove from an old air tank and discarded 20lb propane tank. I added a 6" pipe and insulated pipe and cap above the roof line. I cold plunge in a 100 gal plastic stock tank in between rounds of sauna. You just have to break the ice off the top to get in.
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