Why Almost Heaven Saunas?
Almost Heaven is a highly regarded brand renowned for its quality and craftsmanship. Owned by Harvia, a trusted Finnish sauna brand, Almost Heaven Saunas benefits from Finland's rich tradition and expertise in sauna culture.
Saunas are deeply embedded in Finnish life—the country has 3.3 million saunas for a population of 5.5 million! Almost Heaven products are rooted in this centuries-old Finish tradition, offering an authentic experience that draws from the very birthplace of sauna culture.
Highest Quality Materials and Craftsmanship
Almost Heaven Saunas stands out for its commitment to superior materials and craftsmanship. High-quality softwood, combined with sturdy stainless steel hardware and tempered glass, ensures durability and safety on all sauna models.
- Highest Quality Lumber
Almost Heaven is dedicated to crafting saunas using solid lumber, specifically Western red cedar, chosen for its insulating properties, color, aromatic scent, and natural resistance to rot.
In contrast to many popular US sauna companies that rely on Canadian cedar milled in China, Almost Heaven sources its cedar exclusively from trusted suppliers, upholding the highest quality standards.
- Built to Last
All Almost Heaven Saunas, whether traditional models or the iconic outdoor barrel designs are crafted with minimal fasteners to withstand extreme temperature fluctuations and diverse weather conditions. The heaters and fasteners are made of stainless steel, and the barrel bands are rust-resistant, ensuring durability and longevity in any environment.
Where are Almost Heaven Saunas Made?
Each sauna is meticulously hand-built by skilled craftsmen in West Virginia, underscoring the brand’s dedication to quality. This American-made promise supports local craftsmanship and guarantees a product built with precision and care, ensuring that every sauna meets rigorousstandards for performance and quality.
What Types of Saunas Does Almost Heaven Make?
- Traditional Saunas
These traditional cabin-style saunas are rectangular, mimicking classic Finnish saunas and offering a spacious feel. They are available for indoor and outdoor settings and accommodate various group sizes.
An Almost Heaven 2 person sauna like the Auburn Indoor Sauna is ideal for day-to-day personal use. If you’re looking for something bigger, the model range goes up to an Almost Heaven 6 person sauna—plenty of room for friends and family.
Traditional saunas can be equipped with either electric (Harvia models) or wood-burning heaters. Electric heaters are prized for their quick heat-up times and ease of use.
- Barrel Saunas
Designed primarily for outdoor use, Almost Heaven Barrel Saunas are designed to maximize interior space while promoting natural airflow and efficient heat circulation.
Constructed with premium softwood and Harvia heaters, customers frequently commend these saunas for their energy efficiency, aesthetic appeal, and ability to withstand harsh weather conditions.
The company’s barrel saunas rest on plastic rotocast cradles, creating a protective barrier between the lumber and bare ground. Almost Heaven is the only manufacturer in the world offering this feature, which significantly enhances the sauna's durability and prevents moisture-related decay, ensuring your investment remains long-lasting.
- Infrared Saunas
Almost Heaven Infrared saunas provide a radiant heat alternative using carbon fiber panels. Customers choose this type of sauna for its gentle yet effective heat therapy, perfect for those seeking a lower temperature experience.
Should I Choose a Cabin Style or Barrel Shape Sauna?
When choosing between a cabin-style or barrel-shaped sauna, there are a few things to consider to ensure you get the right one for your needs.
- The Benefits of Cabin-Style Saunas
Cabin-style saunas offer traditional aesthetics and a more spacious, customizable interior layout. Their square or rectangular shape accommodates a broader range of heater types and accessories.
Because cabin saunas are more spacious inside, they have more optimal bench placement compared to barrel saunas. Ideally, your feet should be level with the heater’s rocks. Typically, barrel saunas have slightly lower benches, and the curvature of barrel saunas makes bench placement less versatile, offering fewer customization possibilities.
Generally speaking, a cabin sauna will perform slightly better than a barrel sauna because its interior layout is better for heat distribution. However, cabin-style saunas do take up more space and are slightly more expensive compared to barrel saunas.
- The Benefits of Barrel Style Saunas
Barrel saunas are a great option if you have less space for your sauna and want a slightly cheaper style.
With a compact design that maximizes interior space, barrel saunas require less square footage. Their shape allows for efficient heat circulation, reducing heating times and energy costs.
While custom-built cabins may require permits due to their permanent nature, barrels are generally considered temporary structures. Though pre-manufactured, Almost Heaven’s cabin saunas are also classified as temporary structures, so you can enjoy either style without the unnecessary hassle of permits or planning permission.
Can I Place my Almost Heaven Sauna Outside?
Almost Heaven Saunas offers both indoor and outdoor models, allowing you to choose the perfect setup for your needs.
Almost Heaven Barrel Saunas and other outdoor models are designed to withstand the elements, with weather-resistant materials and robust insulation. If you live in a colder climate, you’ll need to ensure that the heater is powerful enough for outdoor use. The size of your sauna and the heater's strength will affect the time it takes to heat up.
For those who prefer an indoor wellness retreat, Almost Heaven offers saunas designed for placement in home gyms, basements, or even garage setups. These models are ideal for transforming your home office into a personal spa or creating a cozy relaxation zone within your living space.
Whether you want to transform your home office into a wellness retreat or create a cozy, spa-like escape on your deck or patio, Almost Heaven has saunas that fit seamlessly into your environment.
Are Almost Heaven Saunas Easy to Assemble?
One of your concerns might be about assembly. How easy are Almost Heaven Saunas to put together? Almost Heaven Saunas are designed for an effortless setup. With straightforward instructions, two people can assemble one in just a few hours, regardless of experience.
How Hot Do Almost Heaven Saunas Get?
Typically, Almost Heaven Saunas reach 165°F within 30 to 40 minutes and can exceed 185°F in under an hour. Their heaters have a standard heat-up time of 45 60 minutes, achieving temperatures between 170-185°F and above.
Heating times depend on the surrounding climate, especially in outdoor settings. At higher altitudes, thinner air can affect heating efficiency and require additional time for saunas to reach desired temperatures. Personal preferences, whether for moderate warmth or intense heat, also influence overall heat-up times.
What Heaters Does Almost Heaven Use in its Saunas?
Almost Heaven uses Harvia heaters, a top Finnish brand respected worldwide. The standard heater that is included in most sauna kits is the KIP heater.
The size of the sauna will determine the standard kilowatt size paired. These heaters are known for their efficiency and reliability and provide constant heat for an authentic sauna experience.
If you live in a colder climate and want to place the sauna outdoors, you might want to consider upgrading to a larger heater to speed up the heat-up time of your sauna. Heater upgrade models include the KIP (dials), KIP (digital), The Wall Heater (dials), Cilindro Heater (dials or digital), Virta (digital), and Virta Combi (digital).
- Wet Heat Vs. Dry Heat
Harvia's electric heaters are fitted with rocks, allowing water to be poured over them for steam, creating a traditional Finnish "löyly" experience. This provides a warm, humid atmosphere and an authentic steam experience (wet heat).
Infrared saunas (dry heat) generate heat through carbon fiber panels or ceramic heaters without using water. They create a dry heat that gradually raises body temperature, promoting gentle, consistent warmth ideal for extended relaxation sessions with minimal humidity.
Can you Move an Almost Heaven Sauna?
Almost Heaven Saunas can be moved once installed, though the ease of relocation depends on the sauna model and size. Barrel saunas and smaller cabin-style saunas are generally easier to relocate due to their compact and modular designs.
Do Almost Heaven Saunas Come with Customization Options?
Almost Heaven Saunas offers various models—indoor, outdoor, traditional, and infrared—so you can find the perfect fit for your space and preferences.
Customization options include window styles and Himalayan salt wall bars. Unique window designs let you tailor your sauna to maximize natural light or maintain privacy. Himalayan salt wall bars, known for their air-purifying and therapeutic properties, elevate the atmosphere, helping you unwind with soothing, holistic benefits.
How Efficiently Do Almost Heaven Saunas Heat Up and Retain Heat?
The efficiency of heating and retaining warmth in an Almost Heaven Sauna depends significantly on the surrounding ambient temperature. Outdoor saunas in colder climates may take longer to reach optimal temperatures due to cool external air, needing extra time compared to indoor setups.
Almost Heaven Saunas use Western red cedar for its excellent insulating properties, ensuring efficient heat retention. Barrel models promote even heat distribution and minimize heat loss, while cabin-style saunas come with extra insulation options.
With powerful Harvia heaters delivering consistent warmth, these saunas offer excellent heat retention, though colder climates or high altitudes may slightly extend heating times.
Explore our range of Almost Heaven Saunas, or discover the unique features of the Almost Heaven Barrel Saunas. If you need help choosing the perfect sauna or have any questions, get in touch—we're here to guide you every step of the way.
