Building Finland Sauna (3 months project)

[@michaelsawizky]

Mr, you didn't add aluminum vapor barrier on top of the insulation, very very important...

[@mv4302]

@Konu As a Finn, I would recommend to build a sauna from plain wood materials without any paints of surface material. Also the aluminum-paper -solution is not vital in this kins of outdoor-sauna. The less different materials - the fewer material-barrier-points where the possible moisture aka. water can condense and spoil materials. No layers please. Plain wood will dry out, if good ventilation is provided. I would be more concerned about the the fact that the outer boards was attached without a proper ventilation space underneath the boarding - very important.

[@noniedelong1592]

@@mv4302 Can you share more info or link to traditional build design? I'm concerned about using products with adhesive and toxins and no way old design used vapour barrier or tape. There has to be ventilation and then moisture doesn't build up. Where to find this type of design - anyone know?

[@mirjamenny]

I am Finnish and part of me had the same reaction as many of the others here because many small details are inaccurate in your build so the building will not last as documented. But more importantly, I also deeply appreciate that you and your wife enjoy taking sauna. It is a ritual and also a very sacred place to us, which is why some people in the comments are so upset, haha. Culture is a bit precious. It would be the same if we made a Korean bbq or kimchi video, you would roll your eyes at our ingredients and process, I am sure. But one serious point to the sauna ritual; I hope you and your wife take sauna naked or only cotton underwear when cameras are off; you are supposed to get very hot, then exit the sauna and do a cold plunge or pour a bucket of cold water on your head to close your pores and "wake" your immune system. This will give you the maximum health benefit, and you can also repeat the hot/cold process several times in one session and you will have an excellent sleep. Kiitos for enjoying Finnish culture! :D

[@o-gentleman]

Thanks for good advices. I'd keep in mind your words and am going to enjoy Finland Sauna.

[@immersivescreensavers]

Question for the Finnish person that made this comment: I want to build a sauna and I know most of them use cedar to plank the inside but it's so expensive now. I read that many in Finland use quaking aspen, is that true? Would you recommend using that type of wood in place of the cedar?

[@mirjamenny]

@@immersivescreensavers thank you for asking my opinion. I'm going to be annoyingly Finnish for a moment and mention that the stove you buy is more important than the type of wood interior, so I hope you will not "cut corners" with this feature; the heat source is the heart in the sauna, and there are some really bad hearts out there, especially when things get steamy (forgive my extended metaphor, couldn't resist). For wood, you have a good selection of options for the sauna interior depending on budget and personal tastes. Although more expensive, the benefit of cedar is that it is the most rot-resistant, but yes you can also use aspen, spruce, and even pine (watch those knotty varieties though, they're not good because the heat will make the knots pop out) for the walls. But cedar for benches and areas that stay wet (like if you have concrete floor and make wood drainage panels) is going to save you money in the long run. To understand the spiritual aspect of our culture more, you will benefit most when you embrace the sauna as a sacred place to be at your most vulnerable and to purify your body and mind. I believe if you think of building your sauna as an intimate space for your ritual cleansing and relaxation, your vision will honour that outcome and you'll have the perfect sauna for you. (Just don't forget the floor drain, seriously that oversight drives us Finns bonkers.)

[@WoHan-wx2ww]

Hi ma'am, good day to you! If you don't mind, would you teach me/us what are the tools and things to need to built a great Finnish sauna in the long run? May I know your social medias? So that we can better communicate especially in small details you say to built our very own sauna room.. I would appreciate if you will respond to my reply ma'am l☺️🙏

[@mirjamenny]

@@WoHan-wx2ww thank you for your interest in traditional Finnish culture! For the best information to prepare before you build, I recommend you search for "Making It: Sauna Traditions" on the PBS North channel. I think it is the best explanation in English, and a good mix of traditional Finnish and modern North American sauna culture. You see how much time they spent to show the stove - the best stoves are built by people who understand sauna culture (mostly Finnish people) because they also make a spot to add a hot water tank. Kuuma has a great reputation in North America, but Harvia is made in Finland and is considered the most common/reliable/standard stove internationally. You may also notice that a traditional wood-burning sauna is almost always a separate outdoor building, but in modern homes it is often built in the basement with an electric stove for convenience. In all cases, you need proper drainage in the floor as well as a wooden walking surface/grate over the floor drain. I grew up with both (grandparents had outdoor, my childhood home had indoor) and I prefer outdoor. My own future plan is to build a mobile sauna trailer for my own home, as I think this is a wonderful 21st Century innvovation! (search: Trailer Sauna Build video by Andre Bachman on KZbin, it's another good reference video because it has all the necessary parts of a traditional sauna and steps to build.) Ideally, you should have three temperature areas to the full sauna experience to regulate your body heat: Hot, Warm and Cold. So you should build two parts to the sauna structure: the steam room, and a small warming/change room to transition from heat from cold. Sauna ritual also needs a cold plunge to shock the system when the body is super-heated; this is usually done outdoors and improves the immune system (roll in the snow or shower/pool/bucket of cold water, soon followed by some big words, so sauna emotions run like this 🥵🥶🤬😂). All the other details are very personal, as you are building a ritual space to cleanse your spirit and body, so the Feng Shui is highly dependent on your environment and your personal aspects of character, but connection to nature is very important if possible, so plants and trees should be present/visible, as well as a lot of natural material like wood, rock, metal, fire, water, cotton, linen, bamboo. (Keep it earthy; very little plastic or synthetic material.) Cedar and eucalyptus are two common aromatic scents for the sauna to improve mood and breathing but there are many others. Once you have selected the space where you will build, focus on what brings you power and clarity, and you will envision your perfect sanctuary. Once you have envisioned the space, you can consult with a qualified carpenter if you are stuck, and also research more examples of sauna construction to ensure best practices (best advice, if Finnish people are making critical replies in the video comments, those are the practices to avoid, but if they are praising the video, you know it's good stuff, haha). Good luck to you! 💞

[@ChrisSilverman]

This is Gold! Thanks for documenting your process.

[@chrisbluzer7759]

Hi there, very good construction, only as an electrician I have to point out to you that the control does not belong over the stove. This is to be mounted in a protected area outside the sauna. Fire hazard = dangerous

[@mv4302]

This is nice looking, but it is a poor design physics-wise and will be damaged very shortly.

[@nicthespic3023]

Nice build. I'm building one myself right now currently. I hope to upload it soon.

[@sigursteinnsnorrason8873]

Looks very good. I hope the control box is ok, just above the heater.....

[@o-gentleman]

Thank you for your concern. The control box has been moved to the side.

[@einarheltne8100]

I was thinking about the same. Looks amazing.

[@pablomax9376]

Nice build. I think I would copy the basic structure. However, to anyone else wanting to do this, please no NOT use butyl based roof paper on the floor as this gentleman did. It is not designed for internal use, especially at those high temperatures. Also, make sure to put in a vent at the bottom and top of the room. As other mentioned, a vapor barrier is a must. But make sure you get sauna rated stuff. Overall though, it looks really great.

[@photent]

Great job, thanks for documenting!

[@markusrosberg8111]

Hi. I think You should be sitting higher up there. The best heat is 0-110cm under the ceiling. Markus, Finland

[@abrahamavalos5040]

Excelente trabajo. Y muy buena sauna. Quiero una así.

[@tomvidqvist4768]

I dont think so, that was disturbing and dangerous. Greet from finland

[@andrestolp7582]

It's a nice sauna but I suggest you move the controller away from the heater!!! Also, you might want to turn down the lights a bit.

[@johnpetrey7687]

I miss the Korean Sauna and jimjilbang! I need to build one too.

[@Payton77]

Incredible.

[@김민욱-c5v]

영상 잘 봤습니다. 저도 한채 지어볼까하는데 인건비포함3000달러인가요?

[@motooilermotooiler9597]

Great job. What i Dont like is the particle board and the various plastic materials. They will give off stuff you don’t want to breathe in. The Finnish do is much less elaborate and it still works as intended ;) Anyway - enjoy!!!

[@sunnindawg]

Excellent

[@dtuer]

Nice job though, looks great

[@flynnjp19]

You did a great job with this sauna, and two windows that open-very smart, not sure how long that heater will last though

[@jakecraddock2575]

A very nice job, Sir

[@nerijusn2669]

You are best off the best !!!!!!

[@bthomasx]

Nice 👍

[@tiituspee]

no drain on sauna room? electric control panel right next to heater?

[@mike.ferrin762]

What size heater did you use ?

[@myphotossellhomes1435]

Very good job! Thank you for sharing this.

[@noniedelong1592]

This helps me a lot, as I want to build on the side of my house in a similar way. I also want to use windows for venting. Thank you!

[@pedroordonez7031]

I would not recommend using windows with metal handles. Dangerous in a hot sauna!!

[@nonofomolefhi2846]

I plan to intal a sauna and steam room. Will it be correct to build a brick wall around the units or install them inside a concrete wall roofed with zinc material? Thank you. Nonofo Molefhi

[@o-gentleman]

It can be made from any available material.

[@turtletruth]

Floor drain?

[@o-gentleman]

I use a water tray under heater.

[@김병규-v1e]

영상이 마음에 듭니다. 직접만드시다니 대단하시네요.저도 시골집에 만들어 보고 싶군요.지붕이 있는데 허가는 안받아도 되는건가요?

[@o-gentleman]

그런 문제가 있을 것 같아서 구조물 밑을 프레임으로 만들어서 이동이 가능한 이동식 건물로 만들었습니다 건축물은 땅에 고정되어 있는 것을 전제로 하기 때문에 이동식 구조는 컨테이너처럼 불법 건축물로 단속되지 않을 수 있습니다

[@김병규-v1e]

@@o-gentleman 네.감사합니다.다음에도 궁금한게 있으면 문의드리겠습니다.

[@김롱-z3b]

용접하실때 연장선 말려있음 자칫하면 열에 화재 발생합니다 잘 보고가요

[@o-gentleman]

네 용접할 때 항상 조심하겠습니다. 조언 감사합니다.

[@andrzejslozowski1019]

a bad place for the controler......but nice JOB :)

[@o-gentleman]

Thanks for your interest. I moved the controler away from heater.

[@robertolaggo9141]

Stove controller straight above it? And so close? Really?

[@o-gentleman]

Due to many kind advices, I moved boiler at more safe position.

[@korsu1234]

Nice build,but lots of wrong doing,no drain on floor,not good with all that elecktric near the heater,to low with benches,not good vent,no alufoil on the Walls and ceiling. In Finland building inspector would demand that sauna to tear it down…

[@mattivirta]

yes, sure, im has buils many million sauna in finland and spain and ewerywere in world and this not have real good sauna newer,

[@CookingWithAnnaa]

How much does it cost you to make it?

[@o-gentleman]

about $3000

[@jfree7]

I am curious, what thickness did you use for the cedar planking on the inside walls?

[@o-gentleman]

It maybe 8mm.

[@박아일다-w8g]

안녕하세요 열심히 유튜브 시청하고 있어요 사우나 설치하려고하니 사우나기계를 어디서 구입하는지요 연락처좀 가르쳐 주세요

[@gary5969]

Does anyone know what was that product he put on the floor

[@o-gentleman]

it's a rubber mat (coated with cloth) for water proof.

[@RomsJan]

Here a Finn, who has built quite many saunas. I find plenty of details here which are totally wrong. All water poured on the furnace will end up on the floor, no drainage The electronic controller totally in a wrong place above the hot, will not last nany months. No isolations in the wall. No aluminium paper to keep the heat and vapor in the sauna. No good ventilation. Etc

[@immersivescreensavers]

Question for the Finnish person that made this comment: I want to build a sauna and I know most of them use cedar to plank the inside but it's so expensive now. I read that many in Finland use quaking aspen, is that true? Would you recommend using that type of wood in place of the cedar?

[@RomsJan]

@@immersivescreensavers Hi there. just by coincidence I looked at my e-mail and found your question. Nice to get your question. As I told here, I have made quite many saunas in my days, both electric and wooden heated ones. The wooden heated ones gives by far the best stem and soft heat. We have plenty of useful web pages with information on how to build a good, well ventilated sauna, with all specifications on anything. This is something I cannot copy in here. Whatever kind of sauna you will make, make sure to have fresh air inlet at appr 200 mm from the floor. Usually we leave 100-150 mm open space between the door and floor. You need to have plenty of fresh air with oxygen let into the sauna when heating ( if wooden heated ) and also when sitting in the sauna. Some 150 mm from the ceiling there has also to be a good air outlet ( one that can be closed if in your living house, to keep the cold air outside ). By doing like this, the sauna will dry quite fast ( 5-10 hours or so ) after having used it. The drying of it is essential to give it plenty of years to last and to avoid having fungis starting to grov in the construction. You can use any kind of wood panel inside, even untreated in any way, if you allow it to dry up after each use. Years back the most common wood used for paneling was pine tree, cheap and we have plentu of it up here in Finland. Nowadays when the sauna has to be "funcy and modern", there are a lot of different and very expensive special wood panels for sale, but this is just cosmetic. THe walls should be isolated with PVC isolation ( the kind that will not soch humidity ). In Finland we have a type called "saunasatu", that has a aluminium folie on the inside. THis because one should make the ceiling and the walls completely hermetic covered. All the aluminium joints should be taped with an aluminium tape. By doing like this the humidity will stay in the sauna and not be let out to the construction. here some web pages to check ( mainly in Finnish ) ; www.kingspan.com/se/sv-se/produkter/isolering/therma/sauna-satu saunastore.fi/ saunamanager.fi/ www.harvia.com/en/ hermanni-lauteet.fi/palvelut/saunan-lauteet hermanni-lauteet.fi/palvelut/saunan-lauteet www.suomela.fi/lammitys-lvis/Ilmanvaihto/Ilmanvaihto-tekee-saunan-45326 sauna.fi/ saunologia.fi/saunan-lattia/ I hope you will find some valuable information in this message. PLease feel free to get back to me for more specific questions if you like. If I would live near you, I would be happy to come over and assist you with your sauna project. rgds Jan

[@immersivescreensavers]

@@RomsJan Wow! Thank you so much for all of the wonderful information! I will check out those websites

[@TheBensMeister]

1:08 😆

[@korsu1234]

That roof will hold the snow very good……

[@mattivirta]

but korean or asian area not rain newer snow, haha. and inside sauna need install aluminium foil and seam tape all if want good sauna not mold and moisture problems alltime lot, not longlive construction if not make foil and seam steam proof all sauna, and need use ewery wood cedar if not want termites not eat all wood fast down. better made hollow brick all floor and wall first then inside sauna aluminium foil and cedar panel in room, ventilation need be wood burning stove sauna under or near stove need be metal tube fresh air come in and back wall need be tube air can ventilation out, what can adjust how much hot air go out. i has build million sauna in finland i know little better than this men how build good sauna, only wood burning stove have good, infrared sauna have big shit and fake not working newer good, elektric stove sauna can use but not good air have super dry and hot and not good sauna.

[@pekkakuosmanen65]

No. This is maybe swedish bastu, but not Finnish Sauna.

[@o-gentleman]

Would you let me know what is the difference?

[@pekkakuosmanen65]

@@o-gentleman Bench should be about 1,5 meters high above the floor. Much higher than stove. Warm air rises up.

[@o-gentleman]

Thanks I see.

[@mv4302]

@@o-gentleman That is a joke. Sauna is what we finnish know - the swedes don´t. They just go to any kind of steamy room with glass walls and think theyre are in a sauna. No no no. Sauna is not just a steamy room it is a warm or hot room, with a just the right amount of steam. The real sauna experience can only be achieved with wood stove and a proper ventilation. An adequate supply of fresh air straight from outside is crucial. The best saunas are the old ones build on a lake shore. A good sauna is always an airy one with the tilted door that doesn´t close properly.

[@dtuer]

Doomed without vapor barrier

[@wolflahti412]

Very pretty but so much wrong.

[@lukeearthwalker7970]

More like steam house, than sauna. I have saunas electric and firewood heating.

[@mattivirta]

steam sauna not have sauna have turkish stupid warm sitting room not sauna.

[@mattivirta]

totally wrong building, this is only shed NOT sauna, wall has build wrong, no steam and moisture stop, elektric have dangerous and wrong, need use silicone cable and all switch,cable outside to wall, only light have inside, water not go out, air ventilation not have, upside stove not newer must be anythink control box etc, peoples need sitting up to stove upper level, mean stove need be under than footh have, water need pour out at floor, why not has looking first google to internet how build right sauna, finland have many site how build real right sauna, and dimensions were stove need be and seat need be, and how make wall right, and air ventilation, and how make safe elektric. this have only joke NOT sauna.

[@o-gentleman]

Thanks for your advice. After that time, many wrong factors have been modified and advanced. then now, most of the troubles that you point are altered.

[@billw7997]

I wish you educated us with better English

[@Bonjevalien]

This is a bomb shelter, capable of withstanding a direct hit from a medium sized thermonuclear missile. Should last a good long time!