Sauna Design & Build
Your requirements
From style to seating plan…there are many factors to consider for a new sauna build. I will elicit these requirements in collaboration with you to create a perfect sauna for you.
In a previous career I was senior Business Analyst in the engineering industry. I know how vitally important it is to get customer needs right from the start. I also know that sometimes these change through the design & build process. I will always work with you to get the right result.
The sections below explain a bit more about what I do. You can also check out the Frequently Asked Questions page here:
Design
After establishing requirements, we can take a look at how the finished product will look, and see if it works. There are millions of saunas out there (there are over 3 million in Finland alone!), so we can pick a style that suits your taste and budget.
There isn’t a ‘standard’ sauna, but we can start with a basic pattern and work from there. I would suggest some overarching design values including; health & wellbeing, relaxation, authenticity with surroundings, cleanliness, safety, multisensory experience.
Simplicity is Key
A custom sauna doesn’t need to be overly complicated. According to Finnish sauna design expert Lassi A. Liikkanen, there are four facets of great sauna design:
Heat
Air Quality
Interior Design
Culture & Company
In addition to this, it goes without saying that fundamentally important are the use of appropriate quality materials, and great craftsmanship to produce a highly efficient and lifetime-enduring end product.
Build
Building a sauna from the ground up takes some specialist knowledge and skills. There are a number of considerations, which I’m more than happy to discuss in detail. Some of the more technical aspects concern adequate insulation, vapour proofing, heat distribution, air flow / air quality, ensuring ease of maintenance and health & safety.
For longevity, the correct construction methods and materials are essential. For example, internal cladding and bench timbers must be low density, resin free and resistant to warping. Examples would include thermally treated alder, aspen, cedar, spruce and nordic pine.
Internal walls need to ‘float’ in order to let air circulate and prevent mould & mildew from building up. External walls should be sufficiently weather-proofed using breathable vapour barrier and clad in treated timbers
Insulation needs to be adequate to keep the sauna warmer and longer and reduce the energy needed to heat the sauna. The use of screws internally should be kept to a minimum where possible so as to lower the risk of failure due to corrosion and for aesthetic value.
Affordability
Your custom sauna might not cost as much as you think. A high quality sauna designed and built especially for you will likely be more affordable than an equivalent sized off-the-shelf, pre-fabricated product from one of the well known online sellers such as www.finnmarksauna.com or www.saunacompany.co.uk. Additionally, there will be no hidden costs e.g. electricians, groundworks and installation.
As a small company, overheads are low. This is a lifestyle choice for me, so big profit is not my motive. I genuinely want to provide you with limitless wellbeing and relaxation in your backyard.
As an additional note, a quality, well integrated sauna will also increase house price value and make your house more marketable…
