Using a sauna is a great way to relax and unwind, and they also offer numerous health benefits. If you’re considering installing one, you’ll need to decide what type of sauna heat is right for you, how many people will use it, and whether you want it located indoors or outside. The best place to put a sauna is somewhere quiet, private, and well-ventilated, with access to electricity. Ultimately the best location depends on your individual circumstances and preferences.

Where Should I Put My Indoor Sauna? 

There are two types of saunas available for residential use, traditional and infrared. A traditional one can be heated using a wood burning sauna stove, which requires additional ventilation, or with an electric heater. You can pour water over hot rocks releasing steam and humidity with both types of heaters. Infrared saunas run at lower temperatures and use infrared wavelengths to elevate your body’s core temperature. This type of sauna does not have steam or smoke. There are also hybrid saunas which include both types of heat. 

Saunas are available in many sizes and shapes, including custom built ones, so it’s easy to install a sauna after a home has been built or in what might seem like a challenging location like a spare closet. For either type of sauna, you’ll have two basic needs: a flat floor and a 220-240V electrical connection. You’ll also need to consider ventilation, insulation, and accessibility. Here are some common home installation locations:

• Bathroom: for those with a larger, master bathroom area, this may be the perfect spot to install your sauna. There is likely already ventilation and drainage and it’s easy to hop in the shower and rinse off after you sit in the sauna. 
• Spa Room: if you have the space, why not take your health and relaxation to the next level with an entire room? This room could be designed and decorated to feel like a spa, with an audio system, low lighting, comfortable chairs, and more. 
• Basement: away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life in the rest of your house, the basement might offer a peaceful place to install a sauna. The flooring likely offers ideal support, electrical outlets may already be installed and you may be able to tap into the ventilation system. 
• Garage: like a basement, the flooring is likely concrete offering plenty of support and electric and ventilation should be easy to set up. Garages are also usually quiet and private and can be finished to house your sauna, but still be used as a garage.
• Spare Room or Closet: depending on the size and footprint of your sauna, it can be installed in a small space like a spare room, corner of an office, or even a closet, which keeps it hidden from view despite being in a more lived-in part of the house. 

Wherever you decide to install your sauna, make sure to hire an electrician and other professionals to ensure that your sauna will be powered and ventilated safely, correctly and in harmony with the rest of your house. 

Where’s the Best Place to Install an Outdoor Sauna?

Traditional, wood-burning saunas are best installed outdoors to keep the smoke and wood away from the rest of your house. Electric and infrared saunas can also be installed outdoors, but will need access to water and electricity. You’ll also want to choose a sauna that is built to withstand outdoor elements, and it should be installed in an area that protects it as much as possible such as under a shelter or canopy. You’ll also want to consider privacy and access to other buildings or structures. Here are some common areas to install an outdoor sauna. 

• On the Lawn: if you have space in your backyard, you can likely house your sauna there, and may or may not be able to have it on the grass without an additional pad or support. 
• On Your Patio or Deck: these areas often already have a stable foundation and have access to water and electricity. 
• Next to the Pool: if you already have started to turn your backyard into a relaxing oasis, installing your sauna next to an existing pool or hot tub might be the perfect location. 

There are two main things to consider when you’re deciding where to put your outdoor sauna, aesthetic appeal and installation requirements. You’ll want to put it somewhere quiet, relaxing and beautiful, perhaps next to your garden, but you also need to consider the technical requirements. Depending on the size and type of sauna, you may need to use a concrete slab, like you would for a prefab shed. Ultimately there are many options to choose from depending on your outdoor space and preferences. 

Whether you want to install a sauna inside of your home, or outside, we can help you find the perfect one. Give us a call at 970-879-4390 or drop us a note.