Did you know that building your traditional sauna can be a fun and incredibly rewarding project, enhancing your backyard while providing a private retreat for relaxation? Constructing a DIY outdoor barrel sauna brings great appeal to your backyard and provides numerous health benefits within reach with the right guidance. Among the various sauna types, it stands out for its unique construction and efficient heat distribution.
The unique shape of a barrel sauna not only captivates visually but also promises efficient heat distribution, making it both a practical and serene escape at home. These outdoor barrel saunas cater to various preferences, whether you value the authenticity of traditional designs or prefer the convenience of modern options.
Building a barrel sauna can transform your backyard into the perfect wellness sanctuary, customized to your style and needs.
What Is an Outdoor Barrel Sauna?
A barrel sauna is a distinctive type designed in a cylindrical shape, blending modern relaxation with traditional aesthetics. Traditionally constructed from premium wood, it offers an unparalleled experience with optimal heat distribution and efficiency. Whether heated by a wood stove or an electric heater, a wood-fired sauna provides a perfect blend of tradition and modern amenities, often featuring comfortable benches and a convenient entryway.
Tools and Materials You’ll Need
Before you build your DIY barrel outdoor sauna, you’ll need these tools and materials:
Tools
- Manual Screwdrivers and Power Drill. Essential for assembling and fastening components securely.
- Tape Measure. Used for accurate measurements to establish precise alignment and fitting of parts.
- Hammer. Necessary for tapping staves into place and driving nails where required.
- Level. Confirms all surfaces and components are even and properly aligned during assembly.
- Wrenches and Pliers. Useful for tightening bolts, screws, and adjusting parts to fit correctly.
Materials
- Front Wall (3pcs). Serves as the main entrance and structural support.
- Back Wall (3pcs). Provides stability and completes the enclosure.
- Staves. Wooden pieces form a cylindrical shape.
- Steel Bands. Used to secure the staves together, holding the barrel structure firmly.
- Top Staves, Spacer Staves, and Drain Staves. Essential for completing the enclosure and establishing proper water drainage.
- Interior Bench Tops. Provides seating inside for comfort during use.
- Porch Flat Flooring. Offers a stable and even surface just outside the entrance.
- Cup Holders. Adds convenience by providing a place for beverages during sauna sessions.
- Gables. Decorative end pieces that enhance the aesthetic appeal of the sauna’s exterior.
- Cradles. The base supports hold the barrel in place, making sure of stability.
- Bench Struts. Structural components that support the bench tops.
Step-by-Step Guide to Building a DIY Barrel Sauna
Step 1: Prepare the Foundation
Begin your barrel sauna installation by laying the cradles on a strong, level, and stable foundation, such as a deck or a concrete pad. Ensure that the cradles are perfectly level to prevent any future complications. Use a tape measure to measure the cradles from end to end and also from corner to corner so that they are evenly spaced and perfectly square.
Step 2: Install the Drain Stave
Place the drain stave onto the cradles, making sure the drain holes are located at the back of the sauna. The stave should slightly overhang the cradles at both ends. Use your tape measure again to check that the drain stave is centered by measuring from the end of the cradle to the edge of the stave. Verify that the drain stave is sitting flat by using a level, and then fasten it securely to the cradles. It’s important to re-measure the cradles afterward to confirm they remain properly aligned.
Step 3: Fill the Cradles with Staves
Begin filling the cradles with staves on either side of the drain stave. Make sure the cut spaces, known as “dado cuts,” are flush with one another, tapping the staves into place for a tight fit. Continue to add staves until the space is full, securing all dado cuts are aligned. Once completed, fasten the base staves to the cradles.
Step 4: Assemble the Front and Back Walls
Find a flat area to assemble the front and back walls, using the staves to create a stable base. Align the three pieces of the back wall side by side and tap them together to ensure a snug fit. Securely fasten these pieces together. Repeat this process for the front wall, noting that the side with three crossbars should face inward. Position both walls into the dado cuts, ensuring the sauna door opens outward.
Step 5: Start Building Up the Staves
Lay a top stave across the walls to prevent them from falling over. Begin building up staves on both sides of the sauna, tapping them into place for a snug fit. For added security, fasten every stave or every other stave to the barrel walls using nails. Once you reach halfway up, you can reduce the frequency of fastenings to every four staves, eventually stopping the use of nails altogether.
Step 6: Address Gaps and Shape
If a gap is present, install the double flat-ended spacer stave. If no spacer stave is required, keep them for future use, as wood may shrink over time. Expect a slight dip or peak in the barrel’s shape; this will self-correct once the steel bands are installed.
Step 7: Secure the Structure With Steel Bands
Insert the plug at the end of the stainless steel bands and unwind them. Wrap the bands around the barrel and insert the threaded bar through the plugs. Use nuts and spacers to secure the bands. Tap out any peaks in the staves and tighten the bands until the sauna forms a precise barrel shape.
Step 8: Install the Interior and Exterior Components
Install the interior bench strut at the halfway point between the barrel walls, making sure it’s level before securing it. Lay the bench tops so they rest on the wall cleats at the ends and the bench strut in the center. Fasten the bench tops to both the bench strut and wall cleats. Repeat this process for the porch benches, if applicable.
Step 9: Final Touches and Accessories
Install the heater and the heater guard rail, ensuring the heater is wired by a qualified electrician. If you need guidance on this part, a professional home sauna kit provider like Home Sauna can help you. Place the flat flooring inside your sauna and on the porch; this doesn’t require fastening to the sauna body. Position the cup holder wherever it is most convenient for you, either inside or outside the sauna.
By following these improved and organized steps, you will successfully complete your barrel sauna installation with ease and confidence.
Start Your DIY Barrel Sauna Project Today: Get Your Kit From Home Saunas
Constructing your own type of sauna need not be a challenging task. Armed with the right skills, tools and materials, you’ll be on your way to experiencing the relaxation and benefits of your personal barrel sauna retreat. The sense of accomplishment, coupled with the ultimate relaxation space in your backyard, will be immeasurable.
For those looking for professional guidance or advice on specific sauna types or site locations, our team at Home Saunas is here to support you. Experience the ease of creating your own sauna with our high-quality DIY barrel sauna kits and dedicated customer service for a smooth, enjoyable process. Trust in our legacy of expertise and commitment to quality as you start your great and fun project.
