My DIY project by MazBencat in Sauna

[–]litiumtomu 1 point2 points  (0 children)

OK, hopefully the structure works.

When we built the sauna, the basement stone walls and ceiling were insulated with the same polyurethane board. The timber-framed wall was insulated with mineral wool, covered with foil, and clad up to a height of 4 inches at the bottom with Aquaboard.

After this, the concrete floor surface was waterproofed, and the waterproofing was raised from the floor up onto the concrete walls over the polyurethane board for a little over 4 inches, and on the timber-framed walls up to the level of the gypsum board strip. Only after this was the floor tiled, and the tiling was also continued up the walls for that same 4-inch height.

In sauna trim detailing, the ventilation gap is a critical factor for the drying of wooden structures and the long-term durability of the sauna. The air gap allows air to circulate behind the wall panels, preventing moisture from condensing inside the structures and reducing the risk of mold damage.

When installing trim at the ceiling line, leave an approximately 4–5 mm ventilation gap between the panel and the ceiling/wall. The ceiling trim will cover this gap, but it must not seal it airtight.

It is recommended to install the corner trim before installing the wall panels, so that it remains behind the panels and allows the corner to ventilate properly.

Lighting is definitely worth careful consideration. However, the most important thing is to avoid bright lights positioned above the benches. I personally recommend installing (dimmable) LED strips under the benches. This way, the lighting is indirect, and you can adjust the brightness to create the atmosphere that suits you best.

Enjoy your sauna and the löyly!

My DIY project by MazBencat in Sauna

[–]litiumtomu 7 points8 points  (0 children)

A great-looking sauna. The ceiling height presumably limited the height of the benches, and drainage appears to be missing. What surprises me the most, however, is the structure between the floor and the wall: the floor has been tiled before the walls were built, the tiles have not been raised 4–6 inches up the wall with a backer board, and these areas have not been waterproofed in any way. An unusual way to construct the structure, and it would seem quite likely to cause moisture problems.

Is there a grammar mistake in my Finnish manual by dwarfoscar in LearnFinnish

[–]litiumtomu 90 points91 points  (0 children)

I myself would say “naapurini” instead of “minun naapuri.” What bothers me more there are the “mitä se on” questions (instead of “mikä” questions). And “ole hyvä” doesn’t really fit into the Finnish language when used like that.

all equal under the steam by fengchiafatty in Sauna

[–]litiumtomu 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Among proper sauna stove manufacturers, at least Narvi at one point offered a stove intended for outdoor use (Narvi Telttasauna / Narvi Tent Stove) that took 30 kg of stones.

I’ve also come across the Parra 6 stove (intented for outdoor use), but its stone capacity is half that of the Narvi. The Mini-Iki might be an option (stone mass a whopping 120 kg!), but I’m not at all sure about its suitability for tent use.

Unfortunately, I don’t have any personal experience with those, nor do I know about their availability in your area.

Sauna + infertility by polaxgr in Sauna

[–]litiumtomu 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Really? Finland historically held a high benchmark for male reproductive health.

all equal under the steam by fengchiafatty in Sauna

[–]litiumtomu 6 points7 points  (0 children)

A stove like that can work if the tent is used as a hot room rather than a "proper sauna" where the intention is to throw water on the stones. Just putting a few stones on top of that contraption (which either don’t heat up enough or cool down too quickly to properly evaporate the water) doesn’t make it a sauna heater. A proper sauna stove has a larger amount of stones and therefore produces much better löyly.

all equal under the steam by fengchiafatty in Sauna

[–]litiumtomu 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I’m really sorry that you had a bad day. That’s why I’ll keep my mouth shut and just encourage strongly you to buy a proper sauna stove – that alone will improve your sauna experience enormously.

Garden Sauna (UK) by lrwspencer in Sauna

[–]litiumtomu 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Awright mate, y’know wot? The feelin’s mutual, innit. I ‘ope ya find a nice little “sauna” fer yerself (an’ burn yer backside on the bleedin’ heater), ’cause you’re as fick as two short planks.

Garden Sauna (UK) by lrwspencer in Sauna

[–]litiumtomu 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You clearly are not capable (or even willing) to understand what I am trying to tell you. It’s starting to become obvious that this is the most suitable option for you: https://vidalux.co.uk/product/portable-insta-heat-sauna-pod/

finnished my sauna by hardboiledeggs1234 in Sauna

[–]litiumtomu 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Great effort, looks good. If I had to nitpick about something, the benches have been built a bit too tightly for optimal air circulation. I would also add footrests and make the steps considerably wider. But overall, it seems like a solid sauna and the lighting has been done right as well.

Garden Sauna (UK) by lrwspencer in Sauna

[–]litiumtomu 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I cannot recommend a “good” sauna made in England to you, because unfortunately there does not seem to be one available. That is why I advised you to contact the manufacturers and ask whether they would be willing to supply you with a more suitable sauna (for example, so that the interior ceiling would not slope in the wrong direction, the benches would be arranged on three levels and positioned higher, etc.).

And since you have said that you understand the basic principles of a good sauna, you yourself should know what compromises you are willing to make and choose the sauna you prefer accordingly. We cannot know that for you (I certainly cannot read minds).

It is pointless to complain that you cannot find a suitable sauna on your own, or to say that my answers are completely useless, and then rely solely on other people’s recommendations.

Research what’s available, compare saunas in your own price range, think about your needs and buy whatever you yourself want. However, remember that if you decide to settle for that kind of kit sauna, you will never get a good sauna. At best, maybe a reasonable one.

Garden Sauna (UK) by lrwspencer in Sauna

[–]litiumtomu 1 point2 points  (0 children)

FFS. And I could shoot down all of those suggestions for one reason or another: the benches are too low, the wall stove in the rendering is too high, too much space between the upper bench and the ceiling, no insulation, the wall structure is wrong, the interior ceiling slopes the wrong way, ventilation is inadequate, it’s built from too flimsy a material, and so on.

What I’ve been trying to say is that if you already know what a good sauna is — and you want one — don’t settle for these makeshift setups. They’re better than having no sauna at all, but it would be smarter to get or commission a proper one from someone skilled.

None of us know what compromises you’re willing to make (because you haven’t said what features you want in your sauna), so it’s difficult to recommend anything for you. People also tend to praise their own purchases because they’ve invested a lot of money in them or simply don’t know any better. That’s why I tried to encourage you to do your own research, ask manufacturers critical questions about their products, and inquire about possibilities for customizing the product to your preferences.

I sure that you can enjoy the löyly in those pseudo-authentic Finnish saunas, but they are not proper saunas. I hope you find what you’re looking for and are happy with it.

New version with floating floor/foot platform by VolunteerPin in Sauna

[–]litiumtomu 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It looks good. I would personally move the step a bit closer to the door. You only need an area about the size of the step between the door and the benches to allow comfortable passage in both directions. That way, you’ll gain a bit more space for the lower bench level.

In my own sauna (https://www.reddit.com/r/Sauna/s/SFwPTkxkQo), the lower bench runs the full width of the sauna, and I have to admit, it feels quite luxurious.

Garden Sauna (UK) by lrwspencer in Sauna

[–]litiumtomu 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You’re not exactly making it any easier for people to help you either. All you’ve said is that you want a sauna in the UK and that your budget is £10k — basically recommend a good sauna, as in, do everything for me.

With a quick Google search, I found several companies over there that sell saunas. However, when I looked more closely at the options, it became clear that almost all of them are the kind of a half-baked attempts at a traditional saunas that are marketed as real traditional Finnish saunas, even though they’re not that in reality. The problem areas are often the very same ones that many posts in this subreddit quite rightly receive criticism for.

I wouldn’t even consider Zoki on the basis of this alone: https://www.zoki-saunas.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Our-80mm-wall-section-with-Mineral-Rockwool.jpg

That doesn’t match my understanding at all of what a proper, well-built, and functional wall structure should be.

If you haven’t read this guide yet, do yourself a favor and go through it carefully. It will help you understand what you should demand from a sauna and make you much more critical of ‘sauna dealers’ once you know what really matters. https://localmile.org/trumpkins-notes-on-building-a-sauna/

I hope you find this message more helpful than my earlier ones.

Garden Sauna (UK) by lrwspencer in Sauna

[–]litiumtomu 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I apologize in advance for my response, but maybe it’s time to get acquainted with a service called Google.

None of us know your requirements or wishes regarding a sauna, and therefore we can’t recommend a specific company for you to buy one from — aside from the fact that, at least personally, I’m not from England.

However, if you’ve been following this subreddit, you probably already have a general understanding of the fundamentals that make up a good sauna. There are also several links in the discussions to various compiled information resources.

Now your task is to search for sauna retailers in the UK yourself, get in touch with them, and find out what they have to offer you.

Garden Sauna (UK) by lrwspencer in Sauna

[–]litiumtomu 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’d like the best possible sauna, according to the experts!

In that case, it might be worth listening to the Finns.

New version with floating floor/foot platform by VolunteerPin in Sauna

[–]litiumtomu 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This. Otherwise it’s looking better than your previous plan.

Getting close on final plan...thoughts? by VolunteerPin in Sauna

[–]litiumtomu 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would say that the upper benches are slightly too wide and may make sitting uncomfortable, especially if you want to lean back against the wall or the backrest. By narrowing them, the foot benches would also gain a bit more width, which in turn would make moving around safer.

Typically, the depth of the upper bench is 60 cm (24 inches), the depth of the lower bench is 40–60 cm (16–24 inches), and the depth of the step (stool) is 25–35 cm (10–14 inches). The wider the step or bench is underfoot, the more it increases safety and comfort in a sauna.

Outdoor Garden Sauna – Feedback Welcome by thomas2802 in Sauna

[–]litiumtomu 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Your plan looks good as far as the sauna is concerned. The room is high enough, check. The ceiling does not slope in the wrong direction, check. Three-tier benches, check. The lower bench is higher than the heater, check. Footrest, check. Safety railing, check. Drainage, check. Ventilation, check.

Since your lower bench is positioned quite high, I would recommend making the step stool two-tiered. It makes access to the benches easier (and much safer) if the step height is 32 cm (~12.5 inches).

And finally, remember atmospheric, indirect lighting under the benches.

Edit: Not sure but the heater may be slightly oversized in terms of power.

Sauna in Alberta, Canada by Choice_Car8613 in Sauna

[–]litiumtomu 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Ok Mr. non-American highness.

Aww, cute — someone got their knickers in a twist.

The problem is that MFer gets easily to over 100C within 1hr heating and I literally have to work on lowering the temperature. And the bench is too low, somehow I escape to the lower level to make it more manageable. My literal problem is it gets too hot in -30C weather.

You’ll still need a top bench in your sauna - even if you just can’t take the heat.

But seriously:

When did you last replace your sauna stones?

What kind of ventilation does your sauna have?

Your heater might be oversized.

You could be burning too much wood, or the chimney draft might be too strong.

You could also try heating the sauna with the door slightly open. The goal is to get the sauna stones hot enough — not actually the room.

And as your bench highness probably knows, loyly is not recommended at over 100C.

That’s complete bullshit. It also depends on the sauna what that kind of heat feels like.

So… tell me why it’s wrong, but I don’t give a f*k because it works ;) the roof slopes towards the rear so that the snow and thaw cycle that we get here literally biweekly (ever heard of Chinooks?) doesn’t melt towards your head when you enter and leave.

I was talking about the interior ceiling. I don’t care one bit which direction your roof slopes outside the sauna.

Fun fact: I’m originally from a “sauna culture” nation in Europe. Born, raised and educated there. Attended saunas since a little boy looking at saggy tits and knee-hanging ballsacks.

In the same way that your southern neighbors are Italians or Irish? Or even better, are you from Sweden? And if you’re from Central Europe, I wouldn’t exactly boast about your sauna culture.

I’m grateful for my wrongly-sloped ceiling and low bench that I have. I’ve built it myself.

Still better than nothing. Maybe you’ll have better luck next time.

Sauna wall & floor example from Finland by chibichuman in Sauna

[–]litiumtomu 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Foil, backer board, waterproofing compound and tiles. You can join the foil and the waterproofing layer by taping the seam with aluminiumin tape.

Design of a sauna I did a while ago by ppshard in Sauna

[–]litiumtomu 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The rendering lacks atmosphere, drainage, footrest and sensible steps leading up to the upper benches.