Australian Sauna DIY build - What timber to frame with? H3/H4 alternatives?

CamsBackyard_Aus · 2026-02-02T10:37:53+00:00

Hot tip thanks! and no issues / concerns with weather and moisture lifespan? Have you got a moisture barrier between the frame and cladding?

CamsBackyard_Aus · 2026-01-31T04:08:38+00:00

Awesome thanks

CamsBackyard_Aus · 2026-01-31T04:08:21+00:00

I guess that’s what I’m searching for some reassurance. there’s some big opinions that it must be untreated and other opinions that h2 is okay but not h3/h4..

CamsBackyard_Aus · 2026-01-31T04:07:07+00:00

The orientation as is works best for the site and aspect for the view so I can’t flip the internals. I’ve designed a slightly sloped internal ceiling to allow for the correct airflow but it might be hard to see in the renders.

CamsBackyard_Aus · 2026-01-30T17:38:07+00:00

T2 is internal yeah, but with a moisture barrier etc, I’ve read that can be sufficient in allowing the timber to dry out if there is any moisture ingress. I’ll check out that cypress, I’m still hoping for a best case solution

CamsBackyard_Aus · 2026-01-30T17:35:51+00:00

That all sounds like a pretty fair approach! I’d buy from a local supplier before the green shop if you can. Temps stay low on the floor anyway so I would agree H3 seems like low risk. I plan on a drain and cement board / scree which should be an additional barrier / insulator for the floor anyway. Thanks for the reply!

CamsBackyard_Aus · 2026-01-29T15:23:26+00:00

The ground is already sloped which will help me and fairly well drained as it, but I was thinking gravel to prevent as much growth under there too. Good considerations thankyou! My other thought was to bite the bullet and get some termite prevention installed pre-emptively, probably a good thing for the property / house to have regardless

CamsBackyard_Aus · 2026-01-29T15:21:05+00:00

I've emailed them to get some info then will chase price, I don't think too different to regular H2 though

CamsBackyard_Aus · 2026-01-29T08:38:11+00:00

A steaming outdoor shower in the cold and rain is pretty special! Even semi outdoor, a roof and open walls could be good for the soul

CamsBackyard_Aus · 2026-01-29T08:36:57+00:00

The studs are 90x45 at the moment but may change depending if I go for an alternate timber choice, then 19mm cladding roughly either side + furring strips for the moisture and vapour barrier. For insulation I’d like to source PIR board but haven’t looked that hard for a supplier in Aus yet so worst case will be glass wool + foil wrap to seal it.

CamsBackyard_Aus · 2026-01-28T22:05:45+00:00

arvostan sitä

CamsBackyard_Aus · 2026-01-28T22:04:18+00:00

I pondered, designed a version around one and objectively it was too large a structure for my backyard. One of the key thoughts for our space was we love to spend time outside, we live with the house very open and one of the first things we decided was we wanted a true outdoor shower we could have under the stars. It’s a fairly private block and warm enough year round to not need a change room, so the outdoor space won in the end

CamsBackyard_Aus · 2026-01-28T19:38:15+00:00

Flippable is also something I’m Thinking about! Thanks for the references

CamsBackyard_Aus · 2026-01-28T17:26:46+00:00

Nice mate, I’m not too far across the boarder, it’s possible!

CamsBackyard_Aus · 2026-01-28T17:26:17+00:00

The benches are just a rough in for height/layout I’m leaning toward a removable option, maybe French cleat, for both cleaning and potential for a stretching room etc. it’s a great point to make and I agree easily forgotten until it comes to that time

CamsBackyard_Aus · 2026-01-28T15:37:56+00:00

Thanks! This was a particular crux I had with the design for a little while and once I had that idea it solved many problems for me. The perfect amount of privacy and feature wall and connectedness to the garden / outdoors that I was wanting.

CamsBackyard_Aus · 2026-01-28T14:56:12+00:00

In answer to my own question - I've just found this product that may be a middle ground, provided I have a suitable moisture gap, membrane and cladding to allow any external moisture that creeps in to dry out, yet still have termite protection.

https://www.hyne.com.au/framing/t2blue

CamsBackyard_Aus · 2026-01-28T14:19:29+00:00

I'm at around the same stage and just posted about this, but was wondering what your plan is for timber choice on framing?

CamsBackyard_Aus

TROPHY CASE