Any Sauna enthusiasts/experts here?

[Todd Amunrud]

Not sure about a sauna but I do like the idea of a Japanese soaking tub. Used to ogle the stock tank + wood fired heater sets featured in my favorite Orcas Island store.

I’m hopefully working that as “phase two”.

[Todd Amunrud]

Got the cu ft wrong, it’s about 250 cu ft, not 560

[j44ke]

So getting in and out of this looks a bit public? Speedos required?

[j44ke]

Not sure about a sauna but I do like the idea of a Japanese soaking tub. Used to ogle the stock tank + wood fired heater sets featured in my favorite Orcas Island store.

I'm thinking this looks kind of nifty. Have a hot bath in the woods. Or make off-grid stew for 100 people.

[caleb]

Going with our own build. 2x6 cedar “ribs” with 24” framed 2x4 walls in between (it’s in my head well). 5x7 interior with about 560 cu ft. Room for 4. (Not to scale)

Changing room and shower?

[Todd Amunrud]

It’s close to the house(but not too close)
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There’s a small covered porch(rough sketch)
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There’s a bathroom behind this photo to the lower level walkout
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Snow piles up well back here too.

[Todd Amunrud]

So getting in and out of this looks a bit public? Speedos required?

Speedos required

[72gmc]

So getting in and out of this looks a bit public? Speedos required?

This is the reason my wife adds an enclosure to my idea of a soaking tub. I'm trying to convince her that if we go the other way (nothing but flip flops + towel on the head) the neighbors will learn to look away and we can soak under the stars.

[j44ke]

This is the reason my wife adds an enclosure to my idea of a soaking tub. I'm trying to convince her that if we go the other way (nothing but flip flops + towel on the head) the neighbors will learn to look away and we can soak under the stars.

Or you could be surrounded by a SWAT team with a helicopter providing close cover overhead.

[Todd Amunrud]

Getting the supporting base set up. Also the 2x6 cedar floor joists that will make up the “ribs”. Each rib is 24” apart(currently in rough layout)
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2x6 cedar ribs set up together with festool domino’s. The roof joist needs to be sized, cut and added. Glue up hopefully over the next few days.

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[j44ke]

I had to look up dominos to see that it is Festools' biscuit joiner system. Looks significantly more sturdy than the wafers I remember. Festool always has something new and/or improved.

Look forward to more!

[Todd Amunrud]

Working the sections. Glue up is slow at 40 degrees F. Four sections total.
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[Todd Amunrud]

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Ready for sheathing
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Taking a break

[rwsaunders]

You will soon be the hit of the neighborhood, especially on those cold, snowy, silent evenings.

[j44ke]

Appropriately temple-like I think.

[Todd Amunrud]

Sheathing almost done
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I don’t sit still well
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Plan is to button it up then start inside. Sauna stove should be here next week. Still working on door ideas: buy a full glass unit or make my own cedar/full glass unit.

[j44ke]

I vote for a cedar/glass door. Not to add to your work load.

[rmplum]

Doesn't a full glass door change the stove sizing calcs? Or maybe you've already over-stoved....

[ZenNMotion]

I'll put a plug in here for an old school friend from upstate NY (Finger Lakes area) who's the sauna designer/builder equivalent of a high caliber custom effbuilder. His website has some nice examples, and he would be a good source for consultation and ideas.
https://roblichtcustomsaunas.com/
We both have early sauna memories as teen aged ski "racers" at the local nordic center owned by a local Finnish family who imported skis, a traditional wood-fired sauna, and Scandinavian attitudes toward running around in the snow in the buff in full view of the neighbors, good times!

[Todd Amunrud]

Doesn't a full glass door change the stove sizing calcs? Or maybe you've already over-stoved....

Yeah, the stove is oversized a bit. I’ve got about 230 sq ft and it’s rated 212 to 565 sq ft. The all glass door would be the second most expensive single purchase for the project so I’ll likely pass. My goal is to get this well less than half the cost of the barrel sauna we thought about getting. So I’ll likely build my own door and get a tempered glass piece made from the local glass shop.