Can a sauna be installed to my house, and what permits are needed?
Verify from your local building code administration if you need a permit. Normally a building permit is not needed, since a pre-built selfstanding sauna is just set up in a room that is suitable for a sauna. Same as a building permit is not needed to install a washing machine. However sometimes an inspector or a landlord will want to understand and verify what effect the sauna has on the building structures and ventilation system. Saunastore is ready and willing to help you answer these questions. You should check that your electrical connection is suitable and the space is large enough.
Will the air ventilation need to be upgraded due to the sauna?
The amount of moisture from the sauna bathing is normally lower than the moisture evaporating from a shower, and at the same time sauna warms a bit also the room where it is and helps keep it dry. If the existing ventilation system is working well, then it will be fine for the sauna. However if you plan to install the sauna in a location where ventilation is poor, then you need to consult a specialist. Forced air extracting ventilation can also be directly connected to the sauna. As a standard feature the saunas have an air fan that takes air from the room and pushes it into the sauna, for the air to return to the room from under the walls. The heat will stay in the sauna remarkably well, except when you open the door to enter, and that bit of hot air will easily be extracted by your ventilation or diluted into the room air. So, generally there are very seldom any problems or restraints.
What kind of base or floor surface is needed for a sauna?
The saunas do not have a floor, so in case of indoor sauna the room floor must be watertight, such as a tile floor, and preferably have a water drain. Some splashes and sweat drops to the floor are inevitable. The base of an outdoor sauna typically can tolerate water, so the attention is to the base being absolutely flat and on level, and being able to support the weight of the sauna, however the sauna weight is divided along the wall perimeter, so typically that is not a problem.
What is the difference between a pre-cut and a pre-built sauna?
Pre-built means ready-for-installation, pre-cut means ready-for-construction. In terms of sauna bathing there is no difference. A pre-cut project involves a lot of sawdust, noise, machinery, workmen stepping aroung with their boots and carrying dirt everywhere. A pre-cut sauna typically requires building permits, with plans for ventilation upgrades, electrical work etc. A pre-cut sauna is built from scratch on site, and therefore the construction time and inconvenience to the facility is much greater compared to a pre-built sauna, that is quickly assembled from wall element sections. In pre-built there is no need for sauna designing, no sauna construction experience is required from the persons making the installation. Also as the installation work is quickly done, typically a pre-built sauna is lower in total cost. A pre-built sauna is not permanently fixed and therefore is in many locations considered by law as only a piece of furniture. However, a pre-cut sauna kit is the right choice when a room is converted to a sauna.
How long will a sauna installation take, and is it difficult to do?
Our saunas are all pre-built saunas. Many of our customers do the sauna installation by themselves, but you should definitely have some experience in basic assembly or construction with cordless powertools. It is not difficult, apart from some of the parts being quite heavy and not possible to carry or lift by one person. The parts go together one-by-one, with screws, and thus it is not rocket science. An indoor sauna typically can be installed in one day, most two, but an outdoor sauna will typically take 2-3 days in all. All electrical installation requires an electrician to make the connections, for liability reasons.
How is the electrical installation done?
You will need a licensed electrician to connect the heater, sauna light and fan. Before ordering a sauna or a sauna heater, verify your connection type. A 120V 1 phase systems might be limited by the fuse size. You need to consult your electrician before the purchase of the sauna so that we can deliver you the correct sauna and heater model. Then there are local regulations regarding how the electricity is connected: in some locations it may be possible just to plug in to a regular wall outlet if the heater is small, but in many cases a fixed installation is required.
Can an indoor sauna be placed on a balcony or other outdoor space?
No, an indoor sauna is designed for only indoor use, so not to have rainwater on its walls or roof. We know some customers have installed indoor saunas on a covered terrace, but this is fully their responsibility. We have outdoor saunas for outdoor installation, and if you wish a different size or design of outdoor sauna from what we have, contact us and we will gladly explore how we can meet your needs.
