There can be a fair amount of steam that builds up in a sauna if you’re throwing a lot of water on the sauna rocks, however that usually evaporates pretty quickly. Saunas are typically very dry with low humidity and don’t have enough moisture to warrant a drainage system. Commercial saunas on the other hand should have a drain in the center of the (sloped) floor to facilitate cleaning, but residential ones probably don’t really need one. 

Does a Sauna Need a Waterproof Floor with a Drain? 

Although most saunas are made primarily of wood, wooden flooring is not hygienic as it absorbs perspiration, facilitates odor causing bacteria, and cannot be thoroughly cleaned. Your sauna should have a waterproof floor so that it can be easily washed and kept clean and sanitary, and free of odor. We recommend washable floor materials like tile, sealed cement or concrete, or heavy duty vinyl. For a more aesthetically pleasing look, you can cover the waterproof base floor with cedar duckboard flooring which can be removed to clean the floor below.  

The amount of water that is sprinkled or splashed over sauna stones with a ladle in a residential sauna is likely not enough to require a drain for the sauna. However, some homeowners prefer the convenience of having a drain for occasional cleaning or rinsing. If you decide to go with a drain, it will add complexity and cost the construction of your sauna as you’ll need to have a sloped floor built. Drains also require occasional cleaning to prevent clogs and odors. Think about the pros and cons and choose the option that best fits your needs. 

Commercial saunas should definitely have a drain installed in the center of the floor because these rooms will be cleaned much more often and will experience far more water than a residential sauna. It’s also much easier to remove excess water in the case of a spill or negligent use that could otherwise result in water damage. 

Does an Infrared Sauna Need a Drain?

Unlike a traditional sauna that uses a heating element to warm the air around you which in turn warms your body, an infrared sauna heats your body directly with different wavelengths of light to create that heat from the inside out. This type of sauna is completely different from a “traditional” sauna in how it operates and how it’s built. Because it uses wavelengths of light as its heating source, infrared saunas do not mix well with water, in fact attempting to use water in this type of sauna could cause severe damage.   

An infrared sauna doesn’t have a stove with sauna rocks, and there’s no water bucket or ladle present in this type of sauna. Because there’s no place to splash water, an infrared sauna would never need a drain installed. When it comes to cleaning, you can mop the floors and do a deeper clean periodically in this type of sauna, but you do so a little more carefully as the interior will need time to dry out completely before you use it again. 

Ultimately the decision to install a drain in your sauna comes down to personal preference and your specific needs. Have questions about installing a sauna in your home? Whether you’re considering an inside or outside location, we can help. Give us a call 970-879-4390 or contact us with any questions.