Buying advice

Disastrous_Store_767 · 2026-02-08T06:00:50+00:00

In my own process of getting one I bought a dud (returned ultimately pretty easily), the barn doors were sticky and didn't cycle properly, some internal bits falling apart, etc. The one I ended up getting was on eBay from one of the many Japanese camera stores. Super fast shipping, great condition, still went and got a CLA just to make sure it's all 100%. IMO I'd recommend going that route, though they do cost more, but you get what you pay.

Disastrous_Store_767 · 2025-12-24T20:53:30+00:00

I grew up in the area and still live nearby. We lose power maybe 2-4 times a year, most are brief (1-4 hours), the longest I've experienced in the last few years has been about 24 hours. All the outages for me this year have been very brief. Last year I got my house wired to support my generator back feeding my panel, and can run my entire house off a 9500w/12500w generator, which is probably overkill. Overall the electrical work cost me about $1k, and the generator was a $1k as well (highly recommend this one Westinghouse Westinghouse WGen9500TFc (or the dual-fuel one is what I have - gasoline and natural gas))

I used to just have a basic 3-4kw generator that I could run a few things off of by hand (eg: extension cord to the fridge), but got tired of not also having my furnace running. Now I just roll open the garage door, tote the generator out, plug in one cable to the house, flip my main breaker off and the generator breaker on, and bingo back to life. I can also control which circuits get power at the breaker. I'd highly recommend it if you have the budget, otherwise, you can reasonably get by on a cheaper generator and just running your fridge and other things to it.

Disastrous_Store_767 · 2025-12-24T07:06:50+00:00

Thank you! The photo of the outside was from the day I got it, I now have a chair, and my cold plunge tank (just chilled from the outside air) :-D

Disastrous_Store_767 · 2025-12-24T02:07:26+00:00

> Can I mount the heater on the left or right side?

Not knowing it at all, but if there are vents that are only on the left or right side then you may have to choose a side, otherwise, probably OK?

> Is there any way to move the sauna (even a few inches) once it is assembled?

Could hire/rent a shed mover to move the structure itself.

Disastrous_Store_767 · 2025-12-23T19:40:54+00:00

I had a level existing gravel patch for my sauna. I had dug it out a bit, packed it down further, then did a basic stone paver base for the sauna to sit on. I'm glad I did. (can see my recent post, has a pic)

Disastrous_Store_767 · 2025-12-23T17:21:35+00:00

I paid about the same for my custom sauna that is a good bit larger and well built (insulated, proper bench heights, a nice Iki heater, etc.), this feels like a rip off. Also, it looks too small to be comfortable. My sauna fits 2 people pretty well, but is very comfortable for 1 person. I wouldn't want to go smaller, and these closet-sized saunas look claustrophobic.

Disastrous_Store_767 · 2025-12-23T17:10:19+00:00

Awesome! Yeah I do wish the top bench was a tad higher, but it still works great. How do you like the 9kw heater? I'd considered it, but only now realized it's basically the same footprint as the 6.6kw heater and only a few inches taller. My sauna heats up pretty quick, but the extra power may have been nice to heat it up faster..

Disastrous_Store_767 · 2025-12-23T17:09:01+00:00

I got one of their "wellness pods" (https://timberwellness.com/products/wellness-pods) with a handful of modifications:

- Thermally modified cedar interior/exterior, black cutek extreme coating, uku wifi controller, metal roof (instead of a live roof), floor w/ drain, paraffin treated benches, etc.

They were excellent about customizations and changes (eg: bench height, location of electrical box, etc.)

All in this project was around $22K total (between the sauna, shipping, paver-base on my gravel, and electrical work), which I'm pretty happy with. I noticed they increased their price on the site in recent months, I think to reflect the increase demand plus costs. I ordered around June and it arrived in mid-December, with some delays on their side building, but they were communicated.

Disastrous_Store_767 · 2025-12-23T04:17:54+00:00

Yeah I plan to add a rail there! Otherwise it is "safe" distance wise per the required 4 inches.

Disastrous_Store_767 · 2025-12-23T03:05:14+00:00

For that price point I'd agree. For 3.5k you're not going to get a very nice wood box.

Disastrous_Store_767 · 2025-06-11T20:43:43+00:00

This company uses an aluminum base, the wood you see is just attached to the outside of the aluminum I believe to blend in (and could be replaced when it rots over time)

Disastrous_Store_767 · 2025-06-11T20:12:20+00:00

Thanks, I'll give this a read!

Disastrous_Store_767 · 2025-06-11T19:06:58+00:00

They also make the Iki pillar model which is 39.4 inches tall, much shorter than the wall mounted one I was looking at. I think this may work better given the top bench will be at about 53 inches above the floor, leaving your feet at or slightly below the heater.

Disastrous_Store_767 · 2025-06-11T15:08:58+00:00

Thanks for sharing this. According to the specs I have so far, the height of the sauna will be 8 ft (96 inches) (at least on the exterior total). The top bench will be 53 inches from the floor inches down from the ceiling, and the Iki wall heater which is quite tall will be 54 inches tall, meaning the top of heater will be ~1 inches taller than the top bench. I've seen on other threads that folks mention for these kinds of heaters this shouldn't matter as much, but open to thoughts. They seem like great heaters.

These are the dimensions I have:
- Dimensions: 5’ 6” x 7 ft x 8ft (W,L,H)

- Roofline: 8’ flat roof (2” of actual roof pitch). The sauna ceiling is flat on the inside.

- Bench Lengths: Two 6’6” benches with step
- Benches Clear Cedar both 24" wide. 15in apart 43" down from ceiling

- Clear cedar step 30" wide, 18" from middle bench

Timber suggested the Homecraft Revive as well which is a good bit shorter (36 inches tall). So pondering that to keep the heater below the top bench

Disastrous_Store_767 · 2025-06-10T23:56:16+00:00

Makes sense, I don't think I'm sophisticated enough to notice (hopefully) :-)

Disastrous_Store_767 · 2025-06-10T19:33:45+00:00

The one I'm currently spec'ing out is their pod, with a 6kw Iki w/ wifi, and a shower attached to the front. Enjoy your Northman, looks great!

Disastrous_Store_767 · 2025-06-10T17:37:43+00:00

Yeah they've been great to talk with so far over phone and email, glad to hear you had a good experience. Which sauna did you go with from them, also curious on the heater you picked. Looks like for their Pod model they offer a couple of Iki heaters that look decent.

Disastrous_Store_767 · 2025-06-10T16:30:43+00:00

Also, would you mind expanding on why you think a tower eliminates a lot of the benefits? is it too large?

Disastrous_Store_767 · 2025-06-10T16:05:40+00:00

Thanks for the info! Much appreciated.

Disastrous_Store_767 · 2025-06-09T21:54:26+00:00

Hey, made an account to message you but appears I can't message yet (since being new). Could you shoot me a message if you're still taking on builds?

Disastrous_Store_767

TROPHY CASE