Building a DIY Tiny Sauna On a Budget

[@alaskalife3591]

I just wanted to say I loved seeing your DIY sauna project-super impressive! Taking on a build like this is no small feat, and it’s awesome to see your creativity and effort come to life. That said, I’ve got a few thoughts and suggestions for anyone looking to do this for themselves. -Skip the Bubble-Wrapped Foil: Utilizing bubble wrap foil with polyethylene in a high-temperature environment is not the safest option, as it can emit harmful chemicals. Instead, opt for reflective foil vapor. Barriers that are made for sauna use and can handle the heat. -Use Kiln-Dried Wood: This is a game-changer. Kiln-dried wood doesn’t warp or split, so your sauna stays sturdy and looks great for years. It’s what the higher-end saunas use, and it’s definitely worth considering. -When it comes to sauna heaters, safety is a big deal. Brands like Harvia or Finlandia (made by Harvia) are super reliable. Cheaper knock-off heaters might save money upfront, but they can be a fire hazard or fail quickly. Better to go with something trusted. -The door should open outward for safety. If someone were to faint inside, an inward-opening door could make it really tough to get them out quickly. This is a HUGE safety hazard with sauna's and a potential problem with your homeowners insurance. -Sauna doors should never lock. This ensures that anyone inside can always get out easily. -Raise Those Benches: Heat rises, so higher benches give you the full sauna experience. If the bench is too low, you’re missing out on the hottest and most beneficial air. A setup with a lower slide-out bench and a higher fixed one would work great. -DIY projects can definitely save money, but when you factor in the time, labor, and higher-quality materials, the costs can add up. High-quality saunas include these things in their price, along with expert craftsmanship. If you purchased a quality heater, kiln dried wood, and your time the cost would be just as much as the factory sauna's. Your comparing quality prices sauna's to DIY, yet using lower quality materials. Disclaimer When sharing this build with others, it’d be a good idea to mention potential safety risks, like the door orientation and heater choice. Not everyone might realize these details, but they’re super important for a safe and enjoyable sauna. Seriously, your sauna looks amazing, and you’ve clearly put in a ton of work. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@TheTgranber]

Finlandia and Harvia are both Finnish brands. No credit to Sweden this time. Also it is custom to have the seating higher up so your feet are at stone level. The heat covers the body better and you get to enjoy all the heat that rises to the roof. The cedar looks fantastic!

[@michaelDsherman]

The cut away to the blood splatter was epic! You did a great job with the build. Thanks for the tips

[@chadmarkley]

One more thought. It would be cool to see a 6 month or 1 year recap video looking at how well all the various components and build approaches have feared with all of the heat and humidity inside the sauna, but also the outdoor seasons on the exterior. Curious how the external outlets will do but also that LED strip internally. I am planning this build in about a year and would love to learn from your experience and make adjustments!

[@ewiltex5107]

I wonder IF the marine speakers and lights held up to the heat.

[@sergiyrudenko905]

I love to watch all DIY sauna build videos on KZbin. You did a great job! I'm building my Canadian-Ukrainian Laznya(Sauna) and learning a lot from similar videos. One major thing that is worth improving is your door. The doors must be opening in the direction of exit for security reasons, especially in the Sauna.

[@davidflorez1196]

Hi did you made your own sauna? If so which heater did you use and any tips or suggestions for DIY, thanks

[@sergiyrudenko905]

@@davidflorez1196 I have Harvia Linear 16. Choose your heater based on cubic footage and isolation. I can give you some advice which is very important for the sauna. 1) You must have benches higher than your heater. 2) Good ventilation. 3) Don't install wood directly on the insulation. 4) Always wear a hat in a sauna. Search on KZbin Jonathan Kuhn's channel, he explains well how to build a sauna.

[@mandimusic5109]

I think besides being a great paint color choice in its own right, the Dark Secret really picks up the tone of the stone on the fireplace.

[@twoidiotsoneship]

I wonder if the guy mixing the paint at Home Depot is required to whisper a dark secret into the can before shaking it?

[@royrussell8531]

Love the work. Not crazy about the location blocking the window.😮😮😮

[@jonblair5470]

It’s my understanding radiant barriers need air gaps to work. Radiation is via air, convection is moving air, and conduction physical contact. if the “radiant barrier is touching the cedar, heat transfers conductively negating the barrier. Says right on the package to leave a half inch gap. This is also why you don’t instal spray foam if you have radiant barriers.

[@JeronimoStilton14]

While you are absolutely correct, I just want to nitpick that radiative cooling does not require air. Hot things give off energy in the IR spectrum, which can and does also work in vacuum.

[@2041096]

do you have plans?

[@kellen282]

The door swinging in is crazy lol

[@PlayoffZoro]

Bro doesn't want an ounce of heat leaving 😭🤣

[@robbstone1660]

@@PlayoffZorohe doesn’t want to leave lol

[@mikeaustin4715]

The whole time watching I was thinking he did it by accident and was too lazy to fix it.

[@maacseffort]

Probably a reasonable safety precaution so nothing can block the door from the outside.

[@PlayoffZoro]

@@maacseffort if anything its a safety hazard. Say him or his wife passes out from staying in too long or it being too hot and they are on the ground and block the door. No one is going to be able to get in to help them

[@kayleecross4608]

Love your videos and positive attitude towards life! ❤ thank you for spreading your love that you have for wood work/ building.

[@wkevinlong5382]

A palm hammer is a great investment for those tight spaces.😂 love this!

[@werquantum]

Excellent. I appreciate your inclusion of the mistakes you make. Adds to your cred.

[@justinhill4078]

Getting Dexter vibes when you put up the vapor barrier on the inside 😂

[@brendaryan306]

You need a cold plunge next to your sauna as they go together. Finnish people typically jump in a snowbank or frozen water immediately after their sauna to wash away the heavy metals, etc.

[@billgross1719]

I assume he still has it, but he built a cold plunge setup in a video a year or two ago.

[@Vividxful]

Phenomal work, amazing effort. Well worth the time and expense with how gym memberships are a huge scam nowadays. Have one of these at your disposal is huge for recovery. Good luck on future projects.

[@lindacurtis-smith9835]

Another outstanding build! I was laughing when you first said you were going to build a sauna. I was thinking, 'they should just come to California for a minute'. lol Oh and congrats on the new kid channel - that is a fantastic idea! We took the same approach with our son. Today he is 42 years old and truly a renaissance man. Thank you for sharing your videos with us. :)

[@jlaw43]

"Cause your boy ain't trying to get hurt." 😂 That board must've made him forget instantly

[@gkennedy]

I like that you didnt edit that part out. Happens to all of us at least once.

[@AffectionateDriftwood-vr2sf]

Y know, build it kids....teaching them skills that s n dull they'll love tht daddy showed them, nothing will stop tht, nd for the girls..... nothing is possible when they try! Amazing...... I did the same with my son, h3s now a joiner, my daughter....a nurse but she knows her way round power tools ha ha u just can't learn them skills any other way! Daddy of the year for that one! And great bonding moments for you with your kids.

[@jimsum]

PRO TIP: you can rub two off cuts of the shingles together over fresh sealant to cover it with the same coating as the shingle. Looks good and protects the sealant even better.

[@bluthndrbear]

Usually I just rub one off

[@bovellois]

33:30 that's a duplication; use either a vapor barrier or Reflectix, it does the same thing. 100% of the insulation is provided by the fiberglass batts.

[@Quarterhorse25]

The classic Mr. Build It video style we all know and love.

[@thomastimothy777]

Everything wrong and always the hard way!? Absolutely!

[@M0esmac]

Door should swing out from the sauna, not in… Also, should use battens on top of reflective foil before putting the T&G for air circulation.

[@nicholasrobles1565]

Post a video of the one YOU made. Or shut up jeez no one cares about your opinion.

[@M4l3k0]

I also wondered why not just take the power cable under the floor instead of through all those studs.

[@sandralachance1424]

I know NOTHING about building, and my first thought was "And if he passes out on the floor, who will be able to help him?". I don't see myself trying to push my way in by squeezing a 6'2", 200-pound-ish man against the bench...

[@karsonhawk4626]

I was thinking a sliding glass door would be dope

[@skellllly]

I think swinging in would be preferable to me in case something blocked the exit

[@BubbaFit]

Should definitely switch the door to swing out

[@keithtyler7641]

When you started putting the plastic up, it was giving Dexter lol

[@chadmarkley]

I LOVE your projects. I also love that this KZbin thing has been a success for you guys. And expanding into a kids channel. CHEF KISS

[@melissaraddatz8273]

Harvia and Finlandia heaters are from Finland. Finland is the country that has done the most research on sauna and the benefits. Sauna is life to any Finn. I sauna nearly daily. Built mine in my basement 6x4x7 dimensions. I went with the Harvia but my Finnish roots would not allow me to get anything other than a heater from Finland.

[@wef0711]

How’s that vevor heater holding up? Would you use it again?

[@mishaberendsen]

Almost 31 years old. Only ever had 1 power outtage in my life! Gotta love the Netherlands :D I feel our main benefit is having near all power lines in the ground. (Ofc we also don't have tornadoes or extreme snowfall)

[@timthetiny7538]

And you're the size of a city lol

[@mishaberendsen]

@timthetiny7538 I mean I guess you make sense somewhere...

[@TeddyWalla]

haha overexposure!!! glad to see I'm not the only one who makes these tiny mistakes and realizes it's too small of a deal to go back and fix. good on you!

[@Scottsideways]

You should have installed a drain. Easy to clean a sauna when you can spray it with disinfectant and then drain

[@johannesmatzen2696]

This looks awesome thanks for the tips

[@handytbutler7380]

that looks fantastic, the only problem is the way you insulated it, you have faced insulation with an air barrier over that then you put on another vapor barrior with the bubble foam wrap. you are gonna trap moisture in there and create a butload of mildew. that is a perfect breeding ground. way to battle that would have been using rokwul insulation with the bubble wrap only.. hate to tell you that after you did all the work but mold is brutal....

[@surfmarko]

Looks good! This makes it look doable. Why not swing the door outwards? And shouldn't the door have a certain type of tempered glass?

[@Innovativelanelogistics]

I love your builds man, keep the content coming and god bless you my brother

[@BetrayedKing]

Epic build, thx 4 the share!

[@dvdosterloh]

The door should really swing out, if you should collapse in there no one will be able to get in there to get you out. Other than that love it

[@ThexGreatxLTS]

Not to mention is seems like youd have to stand on the bench to even close the door lmfao

[@AJ-ql6dz]

Dam u good bud. That board hit was brutal

[@frankslattery9104]

Hope all is OK after that nasty accident.

[@wrenchboostboi8994]

Some little issues along the way just from inexperience, like anyone would make, but honestly it’s a great little sauna and im sure itll keep you and the wife happy for years. I personally would have gone with a wet sauna, but i know that adds to the build. Nice work

[@alexhitsdrums]

how do you manage oxygen in there with everything being watertight is it airtight too?

[@gametime5726]

Awesome. That paint color is 👌

[@danielblakey8442]

Lovely tiny sauna really love the idea

[@squeekhobby4571]

Just brilliant

[@Neo--X]

50:13 Great design choice! If you collapse on the floor from the heat, your body will immediately block the entrance door.

[@Banger16]

Ive saved a lot of money buying vevor products on various projects around the farm. Great video

[@JCMoorer]

A kid's channel is a SICK idea!!! Gonna check it out.

[@bobbyhall3636]

Quick question: why have the door swing inward? Wouldn't it be more roomy if it swings out?

[@Hybridial84]

Also if you need to "escape" you get out easier.

[@AdBul_]

Because he is an idiot

[@Snerdles]

Yes, you should always have a sauna door swing outward for safety. If you were to pass out or fall in front of the door no one can open it to get you out.

[@jpdrums]

How do you choose which nail/staple to use? I see you switch between air gun, battery nailer, battery stapler, etc etc. Great vid, thanks!

[@davidsuransky2278]

Love the video, especially the structural part. Regarding the sauna, there are a lot of design, functional mistakes (door should open out for security, bench top should have gaps for air to pass and heat you, roof should rife from the heater to the benches for the airflow again, benches should be higher etc.) But the video showed a lot from contruction point of view. Maybe 2 questions 1. What does the Tyvek wrap do? 2. Why is the roof so big? I mean so much bigger than the floor of the structure?

[@bullpaxton2001]

This thing is sick. I want one. right near the cold plunge too!

[@paddyhall523]

Love it, awesome build. Location is abit annoying lol. Cracking job 👏

[@clce9340]

Congratulations on the new channel. Awesome idea!

[@Dorv]

I’m assuming the Finlandia heaters come from Finland :)

[@tedconrad9245]

I agree on the door but overall i loved the way you did it.

[@jd9875a]

For your kids' videos be sure to wear safety glasses! 👍

[@MrMikie69]

And a hard hat lol

[@quintonjones7073]

The lights you're using would be a great option for your mobile shop you just built!

[@JC-ou9hz]

Love the idea for your new channel. Definitely will watch with mine. 👍🏽

[@wyojim3994]

Great job !The door though .

[@cyclelift]

I'm sure you made the door swing in so everyone could feel smart pointing that out. Thanks for the content.

[@Doomscrolled]

Shed is looking great so far at 14:36. But why place it in front of a window? a sun receiving window? For a few bucks you could have ran the wire further to the back of the yard

[@Strongfan77]

I 10000000% support the new channel. Totally epic idea

[@BrandonP.1990]

Amazing job as always !

[@sokignano]

You did an amazing job bro! Congrats!

[@mattwoodward5751]

Great video, could do with one in the UK. Keep up the amazing work. 😊

[@KM-hn8ce]

Nice build, but the location and the door swinging inside?

[@penguinairlines]

Palm nailer would have been nice doing the roof in that little gap!

[@CGDeluxe]

Everything you build has great design even down to the colour and the texture. Giving me great ideas to tackle a big project 🛠

[@wadeco2012]

I love Dark Secret.... It's my favorite!

[@enok97]

It is really nice, I will try to build one for my family! Thank you! How do you like your RYOBI Framing gun? I am planning to buy one

[@chanceboarder]

Nice! you need yourself a palm nailer for sure.

[@danielgalban1899]

great job man! Congrats from sunny Spain

[@iamwhoiamd7056]

Awesome video.

[@ContentHook]

Thats BRIGHT!

[@gpetesr]

Great Idea I think the kids Chanel is cool

[@benjaminbunny99]

Curious why you put the osb on backwards. The black lines go out because they’re a nailing guide.

[@markusjarvinen]

Small correction to the information… Harvia is a Finnish company😉 In Finland we have a sauna in almost every home (electric or wood) If you ever come to Finland, I promise to introduce Finnish saunas and sauna culture! p.s. Here in Finland, we always take a sauna naked😀

[@glammaof3871]

Well done...it looks great! You just saved yourself about 3K👍😊 Be sure to eat/ hydrate well in advance ...prior to getting in! You may also want to limit your time in there for 15-20 minutes, enjoy! 😊

[@JonW_FL]

Gotta have the cold plunge companion!

[@SaltyWoodworking]

Using the music from Lowe’s Monday morning Lowe down completely made me trip out for a minute 😂

[@alm6341]

What song was this? I remember it being a hit back in the late 90's early 00's

[@michaelmayfield4618]

Awesome job

[@Mattie_LIGHT]

Your sauna is going to be a moldy mess in a few years. Instead of focusing on the ascetics of the sauna you need to focus more on functionality of what a sauna is. What I mean by this is you need to build your sauna around the heater and the idea of what a sauna is trying to accomplish, not “led lights” or “Bluetooth speakers”. You should have sheathed the structure with a polyiso rigid insulation board. Same with the roof and flooring. Then put your veneer, roofing, interior foil liner, cedar walling, and flooring in (not in that order) after everything is sealed. I don’t care how much plastic you put between the standard housing insulation and the interior foil liner and cedar board, you are going to have moisture issues leading to mold. All fixtures like the door etc need to be rated for high heat plus moisture or else you’re running the risk of dangerous vocs / carcinogens being released through the heating cycles. The door trim / seal is also going to break down over time through heating cycles allowing exterior moisture to enter the sauna. While I appreciate the video for it’s entertainment quality / value (you did put together a great video), unfortunately you will have to tear it down in the near future due to mold and other issues. The structure and foundation are another subject that’s needs to be discussed just not as important as the AVB of the sauna.

[@Mattie_LIGHT]

@@Cristobal_2012 I run one of the largest commercial masonry companies on the east coast. In addition to my expertise with masonry I have several certifications in wall cavity assemblies including: air vapor barriers (ABAA), through wall flashing, structural load bearing wall assemblies, thermal cavities, different types of veneers and rain screen systems, etc, etc... I also do a bit of consulting work for large health care (hospital systems) and higher education campus in and around my state. I also speak with daily several members of TMS (the masonry society) board and other various building code committees. Lastly I have been appointed to sit on 2 different state boards over seeing our industry both of which I am a director. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed the video and am interested in building my own - its' just what we watched being built here isn't going to last very long and in the end will end up as a pile of moldy trash.

[@Stayafloat4869]

Any links to youtube videos where they do it right?

[@thomasfinch8418]

Dude. Have you seen the majority of Finnish saunas? They are basically sheds near a lake or pond. Been working fine for thousands of years..

[@mariabentele7909]

Okay, I am also interested to fined instructions for a small good sauna.

[@caleblagrange7164]

If I made this video, this comment would make me cry.

[@guillermo.gonzalez]

Looks great, I just don't get the location. Seems like a waste of light for the windows behind. I guess there's a good reason though!

[@josephbramley6013]

Sauna door should always open outwards for saftey 😅 potential death trap. Otherwise some nice ideas

[@johnchap11]

I have one question (anyone else who has done this with a vevor heater could answer) What size conduit fits into the thermostat?

[@davidcrofts5246]

Looks amazing! Other than the door swinging inwards!

[@route5discgolf]

Inside glass panel will crack, leave it in place because if you remove it the outer glass will break next due to the heat. Tempered glass is ideal.

[@rodpotts2666]

Nice ! looks great!

[@electricflys]

What are the dimensions of the sauna?? It looks really nice but Also I feel like the door handle would get very hot on the inside when you’re trying to get out

[@johanvikstrom2958]

Greetings from Finland! The build looked good, some minor things, I as Finn, would have done differently, but over all quite happy with the end result:) Fun fact for you: Finland has populatio of 5.5 million and we have 3.3 million saunas. And it's normal to have 2 saunas in your home :D Let me know, if you have more question about finnish saunas

[@HugoDeMango95]

Hello! I would love to learn the core basics of building a quality functional sauna. Specifically like venting, heating, benches, doors, and moisture control.

[@neilbaunsgard8106]

Did you have any issues getting your electrical permit with the challenging wiring?

[@bruce1615]

Hi MBI, Is the "moisture" barrier just white plastic or is it a specific type? Thanks for all your videos! 42 year old desk jockey here just getting into DIY stuff and love your videos!!!

[@hickam4525]

This is not the channel to watch if you want to learn how to build

[@cloudbilla7200]

@@hickam4525why? Curious from a non-builder POV

[@Salinaut]

Vevor makes literally everything. It blows my mind how many random, completely unrelated products I see their name on.

[@Kolnerbigblue]

great job. I have to admit, I don't like the location on the property.

[@poromise]

Love a good tiny sauna. I've had some of the best löyly in my life in small saunas. What irks me as a Finnish person is the seat height. It's supposed to be at least double that to actually get the steam hitting your body properly, as it escapes upwards from the stove and circulates around the top half of the room height or so. Also the door opening inward... why is that? Is it some building code thing or what? I don't remember ever seeing an inward opening sauna door (except maybe in exceptionally large saunas in swimming halls and such) and I've been to probably 150+ saunas all around Finland.

[@kwats6510]

Good job brother. I did this same project over the summer. My vevor heater (9kw) crapped out on me. Been going back and forth with them waiting on a replacement. If anyone reading this is on the fence, if you can swing it get a name brand. The vevor is a gamble.

[@spencerlupton117]

Had the same heater and it's terrible

[@johnchap11]

What size conduits did you guys use for the thermostat? (It’s already been purchased… there is no going back)

[@Horrble-pg1so]

only concern about weight on top would be snow. but i think im going to make one of these too. haven't finished the video, but it depends on total price

[@rxndini]

According to code if you’re building a separate structure it has to be 5 feet away from others. Ex. primary residence

[@whyknotbuildit]

Yo. Hair is on fire son. 🤙🏽 sauna is a sweet project.

[@ElizabethBirkenmeier]

what song was playing when he first turned on the speakers?

[@Matt_Benoit]

What kind of glasses are you wearing??? Nice job 👍

[@StarterBuilds]

Been waiting on this build since you did the cold plunge DIY build