Building
Sauna Windows: Views, Light and Heat Loss
A sauna window adds light and a view but loses some heat. Here is how to use tempered glass, manage heat loss, and place a window well in a sauna.
The Almanac · Cluster
Building
Ventilation, insulation, interior materials and foundations — the construction know-how behind a sauna that holds its heat and lasts.
18 articles · page 1 of 2
Building
Common Sauna Ventilation Mistakes to Avoid
The worst sauna ventilation mistakes are sealing the room tight, misplacing the intake, and blocking the exhaust. Here is what to avoid and how to fix it.
Building
Sauna Ventilation, Explained: Airflow That Actually Works
Good sauna ventilation places a low intake near the heater and an adjustable exhaust on the far wall. Here's how the airflow works and how to get it right.
Building
Sauna Vapour Barriers: Why and How
A foil vapour barrier keeps sauna humidity out of the walls and reflects heat back in. Here is why it is the most important layer and how to install it.
Building
Sauna Size and Dimensions: Planning the Space
Plan sauna size around how many people use it, bench space and ceiling height. Here is how to get the dimensions right before you build or buy.
Building
Sauna Roofs: Shedding Snow and Rain
An outdoor sauna roof must shed snow and rain, resist the weather and let the insulated ceiling do its job. Here is what to know about sauna roofs.
Building
Sauna Lighting: Safe, Soft and Right
Sauna lighting should be soft, indirect and heat-rated, wired safely for a hot, humid room. Here is how to light a sauna for atmosphere and safety.
Building
Sauna Interior Wood: Cedar, Aspen, Alder & Hemlock Compared
The best sauna woods stay cool to the touch, resist moisture and don't drip resin. Compare cedar, aspen, alder and hemlock for walls and benches.
Building
Sauna Insulation: How to Build a Room That Holds Heat
Proper sauna insulation means mineral wool in the walls, a foil vapour barrier, and an air gap behind the cladding. Here's how the layers work together.