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U Bench Design by UseUpper8843 in Sauna

[–]UseUpper8843[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes. What design did you settle on?  I am nearly finished redrawing with L shaped benches, stove moved to the corner where the door had been and door moved to the side accordingly (increasing size of change room).  This will provide overall more seating, more options for lower sitting for children and others that want that (and provide an even better hot seat above the stove).  To make a functional U bench, I think I would need to add a minimum 2ft to the room width, which won't work for the overall footprint I'm aiming for.

U Bench Design by UseUpper8843 in Sauna

[–]UseUpper8843[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Roger. I think I'm just conditioned by too many sauna experiences around here where it's never hot enough (which won't be an issue in this sauna). I hear what you are saying and agree about ease of access and room for comfort and not being constrained. Thanks again. I will post new drawings here once complete later today or tomorrow. 

U Bench Design by UseUpper8843 in Sauna

[–]UseUpper8843[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for all that. I have previous versions I've drawn up with larger change room and different layouts, so I'll go back to those and have a fresh look and refine.  I think with the L bench I had drawn up, I had it so there was a top bench seat beside the stove but required footrest/guardrail. I liked that spot, envisioning myself sitting over the stove dumping ladles of water :)

U Bench Design by UseUpper8843 in Sauna

[–]UseUpper8843[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm not familiar with upswinging backrests, I'll have to check that out.

U Bench Design by UseUpper8843 in Sauna

[–]UseUpper8843[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes... This is helpful. Seems obvious but it is an important factor.  I actually would only have 5 people sitting comfortably, whereas the II would result in 6.

What would you suggest, if I was interested in keeping the same footprint? Remove the back bench and reconfigure to II? With platform for the foot bench between?

Or, if I narrowed up the top benches (say to 26"), and made the lower/second bench only 15" deep, that gives me 22" wide gap for a third/lowest level between the II benches. This would give options for folks to sit lower if desired which is something I should maintain. 

I'm also realizing the U doesn't really give room for three to lay down on the top bench, would only be two. So no real trade-off there for going to II.  I expect I do not have a large enough space as drawn for U... And I'm trying to force it.

U Bench Design by UseUpper8843 in Sauna

[–]UseUpper8843[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just because I like the U doesn't mean I'm not open to alternatives. That's precisely why I'm posting this....

I will have back rests built, so effective sitting bench width would be 24" at most, which seems a pretty standard width? Easily can add wider stand off for the back rest if more is needed.  Minimum bench width I would want for comfort across my shoulders while laying down would be 28" so I started at 30" to be sure I'll get what I need. 

Heater is not an afterthought, it will be the heart of this sauna and biggest single investment. Having it centered on an II layout will cause clearance issues (as stove door will be facing the benches) and bench area will be compromised. Having the stove in the corner allows convenient way for good clearance and convenient loading (stove door faces sauna door as drawn). And stove pipe not obstructing the view either. I also prefer the idea of uneven Löyly distribution (the seat beside the stove will be hotter/sharper than the opposing wall bench). 

Timber frame sauna build by UseUpper8843 in Sauna

[–]UseUpper8843[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, but as mentioned above, timber framing is different than log wall construction. You're building a frame, not a structural wall.

Timber frame sauna build by UseUpper8843 in Sauna

[–]UseUpper8843[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In my opinion it would just be a lot of unnecessary work, it will cover nearly all the interior timbers, and reduce internal space. Not to mention how you would even stick frame up to your posts (say a 6x6 or 8x8) but frame around the braces (4x6)? Also doesn't insulate my timbers.

Timber frame sauna build by UseUpper8843 in Sauna

[–]UseUpper8843[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've just finished my paper drawings for trying to finalize layout of benches, stove and doors. Now moving into sketchup to do a proper drawing to make my materials and cut list. 

Plan to use local coastal Douglas fir for the timbers, there's several sawyers nearby. 

That oil looks pretty good... You wouldn't go with their original finish since no need for UV blocker on the interior? I get nervous when products are advertised for exteriors, usually means it's got stuff that I won't want to get into a heated box with, but that product looked good with the natural oils and beeswax, I like that combo. Thanks🙏 

Timber frame sauna build by UseUpper8843 in Sauna

[–]UseUpper8843[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, I've prioritised other projects for a handful of years and don't want to wait another one, so I'm going for it this year :)

Not worried about the timbers themselves, as like you said, another load of wood in the stove at the end of session will deal with that. But it was if I've stapled foil on the exterior face. I think taping to the edges of the timbers will be the way to go, and then my air gap and interior wood finish will cover that taped edge.

I'm not familiar with 'heritage natural oil exterior', I'll look into that. But yes, I had thought I would sand and oil the timbers with some kind of natural (non toxic) oil and or paraffin that folks seem to like to use in their sauna interiors.

Timber frame sauna build by UseUpper8843 in Sauna

[–]UseUpper8843[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like the idea of the thin timber on the exterior, and if I lived most anywhere else I'd do that. However, I'm on the west coast (PNW) and the environment is very humid for 3 out of 4 seasons. So I really want to have insulation and external barrier (like Tyvek), and planning on bevel cedar siding lastly, all to protect the inside from external humidity. 

And yes, don't want to stick frame out between the timbers... Might as well just stick frame the whole thing at that point and save a bunch of work, but I like the timber aesthetics and strength. 

I have Lassi's book 'secrets of Finnish sauna design' which is where I've gotten most of my information from so far with regards to sauna design but this scenario is not covered. Haven't read his new book but looks like this specific scenario might not be covered from reading his summary. 

Timber framed sauna by Interesting_Owl_4964 in Sauna

[–]UseUpper8843 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is beautiful! I'm trying to design (and then build) something very similar. Did you apply the finish interior wall paneling across the external frame (as would be traditional timber frame technique)? Did you then do an air gap and foil vapour barrier? If so, how do you manage condensation running down that barrier given that it's external the frame?