Outdoor Sauna 101: Types, Brands, Maintenance, and More

Some people fit a sauna into their basements, bathrooms, or garages. They might have to compromise and get a small model to make things work.  Others just find an empty spot in their backyard and go for an outdoor sauna experience.

Since you’re here, we assume the second option sounds better to you. That’s why we put together this in-depth outdoor sweat room guide!

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Heating Options for an Outdoor Sauna

Let’s start with the “heart” of the sauna: Its heating elements.

Traditional

What people call a “traditional” sauna is often powered by a wood-burning stove or an electric heater. Both options work in more or less the same way; they heat the air in the room.

Models with electric heaters tend to be more convenient and efficient. But some folks like the whole experience of chopping wood in their garden and firing up their outdoor sauna.

Keep in mind that your traditional sauna could bedry or humid. If there’s a steam pump, the humidity can reach 95% inside!

Infrared

Infrared saunas don’t heat the air around you. Instead, they work on heating your body directly.

It might sound dangerous, but infrared modelscan be perfectly safe. After all, infrared (IR) isn’t the same as ultraviolet (UV) rays.

People might go with IR sauna models because the temperature rise inside isn’t too high to be uncomfortable. The operation costs aren’t too high, either.

The catch? While you definitely could findoutdoor IR models, they might not be ideal during particularly harsh winters.

Side Note:If you do want an IR outdoor sauna, check out theGrandby,Burlington, andCayenne from Sunray.Golden Designs, offers hybrid models.

Different Outdoor Sauna Designs

Each brand has specific design features. But, generally, you could lump outdoor saunas into two main groups based on their shape: Barrel and Room.

So, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each type, along with a slightly different variation of the boxy sweat room design.

Barrel Sauna

Thebarrel design is, hands down, one of the most common choices for an outdoor sauna.

For one, barrel-shaped saunas are easy to assemble. They also give off a cozy, rustic vibe that can work well in most backyards.

Cost-wise, they’re in the middle ground between large cabin saunas and compact IRs.

However, the design limits the space inside the sauna itself, which is a bit of a double-edged sword.

On one hand, it means there’s less air to heat (saves both energy and time!). On the other hand, it means standing up inside won’t be the most comfortable thing in the world, especially if you’re tall (there are exceptions to this, however).

Side Note: Many barrel saunas feature traditional heating elements.

Pros:

• Hassle-free assembling/disassembling

• Aesthetics suitable for the outdoors

• Faster heating

Cons:

• Limited headroom and not-so-flexible seating arrangements

• Could use a rain jacket or shingles to prevent leaks

Cabin Sauna

Cabin-style saunas are usually more spacious than barrel models. You’ll have more flexibility with your layout. Getting a model with multi-level seating is easier here as well. So, you could sit on the higher seat if you want more heat (hot air rises) and vice versa.

Yet, they don’t have the same wide footprint as barrel saunas. That means they’re more space-efficient, and work well even in backyards with limited space

Pros:

• Space-efficient design

• Multi-level seating accommodates different heat-intensity preferences

• Could be fitted with IR heating elements

Cons:

• High operation costs

• Assembly can be tricky (some manufacturers ship them fully assembled, though)

Cube Sauna

If you’re not a fan of the regular cabin style, a more contemporary cube-shaped sauna might be the right pick for you.

It still offers a lot of the pros of the cabin model but in a sleek design.

What to Look for Before Buying an Outdoor Sauna

People often wonder if they can just put an indoor sauna outside, but we do not recommend this.

Outdoor saunas are made to handle the elements (and the annoying insects). An outdoor-specific sauna is made with weather-resistant cedar, whereas some indoor saunas don’t even come with a floor! 

So, you’re better off being an outdoor-specific model and looking for the following features:

• Robust construction that won’t rot, leak, shrink, or break down quickly

• Portability (in case you want to move it around your backyard)

• Adequate, non-toxic insulation to keep the sauna energy-efficient

• Support cradles (to protect the bottom from moisture damage)

• A wood finish and overall construction style that matches your backyard’s aesthetics (modern vs.rustic)

• Size/design that meets both your capacity needs and space limitations

Now, the robust construction might pump up the cost a bit. However, you won’t have to pay for any of the pre-installment room modifications that some indoor models need.

Where to Put Your Outdoor Sauna

An outdoor sauna could go in your backyard or next to your pool. Most spots in your backyard will work fine as long as it has flat ground and is close enough to electricity utilities.

That said, you might want to think a bit about your privacy. Could a nosey neighbor see the sauna from their property? Does your sauna have a full-glass facade? Would this bother you?

You could change the angle slightly or set some fencing around the sauna if you’re uncomfortable with the idea of neighbors seeing you bathingin nothing but a loose towel.

Top 3 Outdoor Sauna Brands

We’ve covered the different types, heating elements, and the must-haves in an outdoor sauna. But which models check all the right boxes?

To answer this question, let’s first narrow things down by checking out some brands known for their high-quality saunas. Then, we’ll take a look at their best outdoor models.

1. Auroom Sauna

Auroom’s parent company is Thermory, which specializes in thermally modified timber. So, for theirsauna collections, Auroom uses natural and modified timber.

Models with natural timber have great aroma and unique grain patterns. Meanwhile, thermal modification boosts the longevity of the construction.

Auroom doesn’t make any barrel-shaped saunas. But the collection does include a few outdoor-suitable cabins, including:

• Arti (5-person sauna)

• Garda(4–6 people)

• Mira S andMira L (2-person and 5-person seaters, respectively)

• Terra S (or Terra M with changing/relaxation area)

• Aura (2-person sauna)

• Natura (with or without a lounge)

Note: The sauna heaters are sold separately.

2. SaunaLife Saunas

To develop their products, the Team at SaunaLife studied Scandinavian saunas inside and out—materials, construction techniques, and design.

The result? They source their wood from sustainable providers in Northern Europe and use it to handcraft theircollections. For the outdoor selection, SaunaLife makes barrels, cubes, cabins, and even a couple of unconventional designs.

Take theG3 kit, for instance. It’s got a parabolic arched shingled roof with a recessed front porch that would stand out in any backyard.

TheG11 is also quite unique. The design looks like a barrel-shaped model but with more space (2-room layout), an L-shaped bench, and an enclosed porch.

Before we check out more specifics, we wanted to go over the company’s outdoor catalog. SaunaLife makes the Ergo (E) and Ergo Elegance (EE) series, which are all barrel-shaped. However, there’s also the Garden (G) and the Cube (CL) series.

Here’s an overview of the best-selling outdoor kits from SaunaLife:

Model	Series	Type	Capacity	Full-Glass Front
CL7G	Cube	Cube	6	Yes
E8	Ergo	Barrel	6	Yes (or rear window)
EE6G	Ergo Elegance	Barrel	4	Yes
G2	Garden	Cabin	4	No
CL4G	Cube	Cube	3	Yes
CL5G	Cube	Cube	4	Yes

SaunaLife’s products are a great blend of quality and affordability.  They are a good choice for first-time buyers or folks on a tight budget.

3. Almost Heaven Saunas

Almost Heaven Saunas has been in business since 1977, and they started with a manufacturing facility in West Virginia.

Today, though, the company is a Harvia (a Finnish brand) partner. You could say they know a thing or two about the rich Finnish sauna traditions.

Almost Heaven Saunas makes bothindoor and outdoor saunas. 

For an outdoor setup, however, the company’sbarrel sauna collection is your best bet. Almost Heaven’s barrel range starts from small 2-person (Salem and Vienna) seaters and goes up to the Lewisburg model that comfortably seats 6–8 people.

That said, there are a few cabin-style saunas if you want a space-saving option with lots of headroom.

Here’s a quick overview of the company’s top outdoor models:

Model	Type	Heater	Capacity	Canopy/Porch	Changing Room
Lewisburg	Barrel	8kW electric heater or wood burner	6–8	No	No
Allegheny	Cabin	8kW electric heater or wood burner	6	Yes	No
Appalachia	Cabin	8kW electric heater or wood burner	6	Yes	Yes
Timberline	Cabin	8kW electric heater or wood burner	4–6	Yes	No
Grandview	Barrel	8kW electric heater or wood burner	4–6	Yes	No
Shenandoah	Barrel	8kW electric heater or wood burner	4	No	Yes
Vienna	Barrel	6kW electric heater	2	Yes	No
Salem	Barrel	6kW electric heater	2	No	No

Note:Some outdoor models from Almost Heaven are eligible for an Onyx (stained hemfir) upgrade.

How to Maintain Your Outdoor Sauna

By now, you should have an idea about the type of sauna you want. Maybe you even narrowed it down to a specific brand as well.

No matter how much you’ll pay for the kit, you still want it to last as long as possible.

While an indoor sauna can last for 25+ years, an outdoor one could last for 15–25 years. As you might have guessed, the elements take their toll on the sauna.

How can you keep it in good condition despite the normal wear and tear?

Well, here are some tips to help you out:

Ask About Wood Treatments

Depending on the construction materials, a non-toxic wax treatment could be useful. It could help preserve the natural wood feel while forming a barrier that keeps the dirt, water, and grime out.

If you’re going to treat the wood, don’t forget to cover the benches, wall panels, ceiling, door, window frame, and all nooks and crannies.

You might have to reapply the stain/sealant every couple of years.

Clean It Inside and Out Regularly

Ideally, you’ll wipe down benches, brush the vents, scrub the stains out, wipe the door handle, mop the floor, and dust the ceiling. This way, you’ll boost the air circulation, reduce the corrosion risk, and kill the dangerous bacteria.

Of course, you should always double-check that your sauna is powered off and cooled down before you start cleaning it.

Side Note:When in doubt, check our fullsauna cleaning guide.

Consider Getting a Cover

If you’ll only buy one accessory for your outdoor barrel sauna, let it be a rain/sun cover. 

A waterproof cover can go a long way in prolonging the lifespan of a barrel-type sauna. It doesn’t even have to be anything fancy. A simple tarp-like jacket will do.

Some people go the extra mile and build metal roofing over the sauna. That would be great if you’ve got the time (and DIY skills) for it.

Tighten the Banding Straps

Barrel-shaped saunas could use band tightening every now and then.

Make sure to check the bands and clamps every few months and see if anything is getting too loose. This step helps tackle shrinkage.

Final Thoughts

To recap, your main options are the barrel-shaped or boxy saunas. Most are traditional, which means they run on electric heaters or wood burners/stoves. However, you could get an Infrared model for your backyard if you’d rather not heat the air around you.

Fingers crossed, choosing a kit isn’t such a daunting task now.

And if you’re still not sure which type of outdoor sauna is best for you? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with theNordica Sauna support team!