Dream Sauna build Using Aspen (not cedar)

[@immersivescreensavers]

Thank you for a sauna build video with decent production!

[@TeppoHaapoja]

I am so proud of you Jon, you are truly more Finnish than I am.

[@JonathanKuhn]

Bless you 🙏

[@photent]

Very cool to watch, thanks for making. Have just finished the exterior cladding of my sauna, next step is the floor. Setbacks are definitely frustrating. I found the windows and the roof the most frustrating parts so far. You spend so much time on something, the last thing you want is the fear that it may rot or be damaged in some way!

[@JonathanKuhn]

I totally agree with the roof and floor being the most challenging. Lots of “am I doing this right?” thoughts.

[@stevenm.2560]

You are doing an awesome job envisioning what you want and getting after it and constructing it. Nice work and keep the sauna videos coming !!

[@ML-gb7cn]

I'm half way through my sauna build now. Love the look of Aspen, unfortunately we seem to have limited tongue and groove options in Nova Scotia.

[@JonathanKuhn]

Yeah it seems like it harder to get in many places. Clear pine can be nice too for a lighter look. I think Thermory may ship Aspen paneling but not sure how economical it is.

[@WestsiderSC]

Love this series. Keep it up! You'll have a huge surge of subs after people pick up on your production quality.

[@JonathanKuhn]

So kind. Thank you.

[@designindustrial2240]

Thats true set backs are the best you always learn! I wish icould help you out so i can have more knowlage to build my own! 🤟🏻🙏🏻

[@suzanneparker1799]

Your sauna design is beautiful. You have solved my floor problem and we are going with Aspen wood for the interior. We will be building a sauna in an old pool house so we do not need to build the building. but your floor solution will work for us.

[@scottydidnt]

did you use thermo aspen?

[@JonathanKuhn]

I used just clear aspen. I think if I were to do it again I would heavily consider thermo aspen.

[@JoeyHornyak]

AMAZING JO!!!!!!! Happy I found you on here. Great videos btw. And obviously great work.

[@JonathanKuhn]

Thanks Joey!

[@hdk173]

I thoroughly enjoyed this build video. Thank you!

[@JonathanKuhn]

Thanks Hans!

[@jackktorness]

Awesome job on this man! theres so many things going on with building a good quality sauna. Way to tackle it like a pro! i'm sure you learned so much on the journey. thanks for the inspiration!

[@JonathanKuhn]

Thanks for the encouragement! It’s a little humbling managing all the little steps in what looks like a simple build but it’s been a lot of fun and a lot of learning!

[@jaroslavchorny]

Thank you Jonathan for your great work!!!! Building my sauna and using your videos as manual. 🙂

[@JonathanKuhn]

I love it! I’m glad I can be some sort of inspiration.

[@DmitryPolovka]

Dude, I love this

[@heathermctaggart8620]

Stunning sauna build, we are thoroughly enjoying your series. Can you share how much all the materials cost for this build? I’m in Northern Ontario and realize the wood will vary Year to year but just a rough estimate would be so helpful.

[@AndrewSzeto]

YESSIR LOVE TO SEE IT! damn ants!!!

[@reelandgooutdoors]

Great stuff! I like to see these builds coming together. FYI: Ants require a 'damp' environment to brew eggs.. so if you dry that window frame out.. like super dry heat gun stuff, then they won't come back. I've had this problem in a build of my own. Wet is not good for them. Dry, not good. Damp is perfect. And that's not hard to fix. Looking forward to bench 101!

[@JonathanKuhn]

This is so helpful! I hope firing you the sauna once or twice a week keeps them at bay.

[@MsAnAverageGirl]

The Aspen is soooo clean! there are a place for knots, but not in this sauna. Getting steamy over here 🥵😄

[@JonathanKuhn]

I love the look of a knotty sauna too. Maybe the next one will have nice 8” knotty boards 😀

[@jacobhenke2866]

A pressure hose like that would pretty well mimic a wind driven rain coming off the lake.

[@FICOSOMOLINOS]

Hello, Iam from spain, lets see if I can explain the question, at 4:08 it seems like the nail in the joint of the board, should be introduced in angle, because if u nail it straight u will not be able to insert the next upper board, because the nail will stop the upper board from entering , right ? thanks

[@JonathanKuhn]

That is correct. The wide angle of the video doesn’t look like it’s at an angle but I can assure you it is. The nail goes in the tongue and out the back face of the board. You can even shoot the mail a little high on the tongue to avoid seeing nail holes between the boards.

[@FICOSOMOLINOS]

@@JonathanKuhn thanks ss a lot, very nice and helpful!!

[@bwalk1154]

Did you use blocking between the studs to attach the benches to, or did you just anchor the 2x4 for the bench directly into the stud? Thank you so much or making these videos. They are very well done.

[@JonathanKuhn]

Thanks for the comment. Yes I used blocking between the studs.

[@logosification]

Not sure if you are still checking these comments. Stellar work! I'm doing my drip edge now. It looks like there is a gap between your first piece and the drip edge. Is the first piece of tongue and groove just face nailed or screwed? Thanks!!

[@JonathanKuhn]

I’m still responding to great questions like this. If I recall correctly I tried just nailing the tongue but it didn’t hold well so I just face nailed. I also face nailed the trim and got matching wood filler and the holes aren’t noticeable at all.

[@logosification]

Rad! Appreciate the advice! Your videos have helped me a ton with my sauna build!

[@natalienaranjo9597]

Beautiful! I’m wondering about the air gap and using furring strips in front of the foil. Is it necessary? We are using foil bubble wrap, not just foil. I’ve seen a few do it your way and the ones with foil bubble wrap don’t use furring strips. Conflicted! Thanks!!!

[@JonathanKuhn]

Bubble foil wrap adds a thin air gap of insulation as does furring strips. The added benefit of furring strips is that the wood isn’t readying right on the foil so moisture has an easier escape. I’ve seen both methods quite a bit and haven’t seen issues with either really.

[@tobiaslindvall2635]

Hey man, great videos! I'm swedish and I'm building a Swedish sauna in Upstate New York where I live. I was wondering, did you add furring strips on top of the vapor barrier that attached to the studs before adding the siding?

[@JonathanKuhn]

Hey. The exterior siding? I did not. The manufacturer specified that it can be installed right on the house wrap or roof underpayment so that’s what I did!

[@tobiaslindvall2635]

Thanks for the reply. No I was referring to the inside

[@JonathanKuhn]

Oh. Yes! I used furring strips throughout the inside.

[@jurisspuris5160]

Hello. Can you tell us how you made the floor for the sauna?

[@JonathanKuhn]

Yeah no have a whole build series on this and one of the videos covered the floor.

[@robsmithmusic777]

Very nice, very impressed, who makes the twist to shut air vent that you installed on the inside?

[@JonathanKuhn]

I believe the brand is “Europlast”. I linked to the product I bought in the video description.

[@sarahbrower936]

@@JonathanKuhn this doesn't seem to come with a cover for the hole on the exterior. What did you do for this?

[@WoodnessGoodness]

I'm allergic to everything. I will now use Aspen for everything.

[@JonathanKuhn]

Love it!!

[@big9304]

What type of nails did you use for installing the TNG? 2" brad nails?

[@JonathanKuhn]

I used 2” stainless steel 16g nails

[@oceansareblue11]

hello. great videos. question what did you use as a vapor barrier? the foil looking paper what is it called? Thank you

[@JonathanKuhn]

Thanks! I got it from a sauna supply place for convenience but I think it can be purchased at most building supply places. It’s fond by searching for foil rap out barrier. The stuff I used was paper backed.

[@jaroslavchorny]

Jonathan, two questions: what this black Stove paint is for? Did you use Stainless steel nails for Aspen paneling?

[@JonathanKuhn]

Hi. The black stove paint was to hide any foil from reflecting light in the edges of the room if there was ever a small crack. I ended up using trim pieces to cover up the gaps at the ceiling so it might not have been a necessary step. Yes I used SS nails for the Aspen.

[@jaroslavchorny]

Thank you so much. 🙏

[@flyinfinn2007]

Good call on the aspen! True on all points. Where did you order it from?

[@JonathanKuhn]

It’s from Sauna.ca in Montreal

[@TheJordanlamb316]

Wow looks so good!!! Where did you get the aspen from? Haven’t found many places that’ll ship.

[@JonathanKuhn]

Thanks! I got the Aspen from a place in Quebec Sauna.ca. I decided to pick it up myself but I think they ship

[@Yoop24]

Can you please link the vapor barrier that you used? And how happy are you with the product? I’m at that stage of my sauna build now

[@JonathanKuhn]

Here is a link to what I think I used. It worked really well amzn.to/3SnM5FG

[@JonathanKuhn]

If that link doesn’t work for you search “paper backed foil vapour barrier” there should be something available locally

[@Yoop24]

Thank you! Great job on this series. Extremely helpful in my own build

[@gregburns6636]

My wife and I have a waterfront property on Georgian bay and I am considering building a sauna similar to yours. I have a ton of questions. Where did you get aspen? Local sawmill?

[@JonathanKuhn]

I’ll answer anything I can! The Aspen is from sauna.ca in Montreal. They mill it on site so believe.

[@adamconnolly571]

How did you seat the insulation in the ceiling? You skipped over that part! Vids are great, sauna looks great :)

[@JonathanKuhn]

Insulation is cut a little bigger than the opening according the manufacturers instruction so it’s snug enough to stay up on its own.

[@adamconnolly571]

@@JonathanKuhn thanks so much that makes it really clear. Sry if u did mention that in the last vid. Wasn't obvious to me

[@wesleysmith3462]

How did you figure out how to properly/safely install the woodstove and chimney elements?

[@JonathanKuhn]

This was one of the trickiest parts to install for me. But like many of the other components the manufacturer has detailed instructions for the stovepipe, chimney and stove so it’s pretty straightforward after some reading and measuring but tricky to alight the chimney

[@wesleysmith3462]

@@JonathanKuhn was this instructions from the chimney kit? Or the sauna stove? I bought a Narvi stove and theres very little detail/instruction about the chimney

[@JonathanKuhn]

There were instructions for the stove for setbacks etc and another set of instructions for the stove pipe and ceiling mount kit etc. the chimney is a 6 inch double wall Supervent Selkirk product of that helps.

[@wesleysmith3462]

Okay sweet thanks thats very helpful. I found that chimney kit online, looks solid and safe. Your sauna looks great! How is it all holding up I guess its a year or so now since this video@@JonathanKuhn

[@JonathanKuhn]

@wesleysmith3462 it’s holding up very well and we use it often! The foot benches are showing some dirt but we will clean those up in the spring.

[@kelleypaulson2394]

Where did you find the ceiling support for the chimney, currently struggling to find

[@JonathanKuhn]

The chimney support was in a ceiling support kit by Selkirk. It can be purchased separately and should be available at many box stores or online. I went with a 6inch Selkirk Supervent chimney. Hope that helps!

[@rynmyn]

Quick q how much of an air gap do you have between the foil vapour barrier and the aspen panelling?

[@JonathanKuhn]

3/4 inch but I don’t think there is a hard rule

[@rynmyn]

@@JonathanKuhn Thanks again these videos have been a great help. I went with aspen too (though, it was because of the prices out here!!)

[@akcorbel]

How did you find the price difference from cedar vs aspen? I love the aspen look!

[@JonathanKuhn]

Aspen was a little more economical. Here are ways to source cheaper cedar or go with a local variety to make it cheaper but We prefer the Aspen choice oven if there was not price difference.

[@SolarBurrito]

@@JonathanKuhn Cedar varieties differ. I hear Eastern Cedar is way too aromatic and makes people choke and eyes burn. Not good in a sauna. Western red cedar doesn't but probably really spendy where you are. I'm building an off grid sauna right now. Appreciate the videos, you're production is so nice.

[@mellowfelon]

where did you get the foil vapour barrier from?

[@JonathanKuhn]

I got it from Sauna.ca but there should be options available at local building supply retailers.

[@mellowfelon]

@@JonathanKuhn thank you! i really enjoyed watching the progress of your build.

[@michaelscottparker82]

Curious where you sourced your paneling? (looking for a domestic supplier)

[@JonathanKuhn]

Montreal. Sauna.ca

[@michaelscottparker82]

@@JonathanKuhn thanks!

[@juliusa9425]

Where did you order/buy your aspen?

[@JonathanKuhn]

It’s from Sauna.ca 👍

[@bojibear7957]

Aspen wood the safest for highly chemically allergic children???

[@JonathanKuhn]

Not sure. I know it can be better than cedar or pine. There are some other alternatives that are good for those with allergies too I think. Aspen has been great for me though.

[@ms_shooting]

what type of wood paneling did you use?