Sauna Build | Ep. 1 | DIY Authentic Sauna (not a barrel sauna)

👉 FREE PLANS - shorturl.at/dhpw2
👉 INQUIRIES - [e-mail]
👉 WEBSITE - www.jonathankuhn.ca
FAVORITE TOOLS:
CORDLESS FRAMING NAILER - amzn.to/3MLkqYX
CORDLESS FINISH NAILER - amzn.to/3HnJTqu
QUIET GENERATOR - amzn.to/3NTS1kP
LASER LEVEL amzn.to/3xkSvJS
FAVORITE METAL SNIPS - amzn.to/3NQsRU6
SIMPLE SOLAR SETUP:
SOLAR PANEL - amzn.to/3Hjkjma
SOLAR CONTROLLER - amzn.to/39i21VU
EXTENSION CABLE - amzn.to/3b0lWJB
SIMPLE INVERTER - amzn.to/3HnMDUO
12V LIGHTS - amzn.to/3aZIqui
12V SOLAR WATER PUMP amzn.to/3ObJGso
TIMER DELAY OFF amzn.to/3xKTqEU
DIN RAIL TERMINAL BLOCK - amzn.to/3HeyCZk
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
I haven't been able to find any off-Grid, standalone, wood-fired saunas available for purchase that provide the Finish sauna experience that Katriina grew up with and that I've gotten used to. Sometimes if you want something done right you just have to do it yourself and saunas are no exception.
This is an under-permit sized structure that will be totally off- grid but still attempt to provide an authentic Finnish sauna experience.
Follow us as we build this together.
Free Basic Sketchup Plan download : shorturl.at/dhpw2
****Disclaimer: For inspiration only, This is almost certainly not to your local building code specifications. Check with your local building code before design/build.*****

[@tupla7095]

I have been dreaming of buying a lakeside land to camp at and eventually build a sauna, outhouse and other amenities. Your channel is like the manifestation of that dream! I'm from Finland, so it warms my heart that you are even building a proper sauna too! Keep up with the channel, great stuff!

[@dmercier6437]

Super fun to watch this and actually know the participants!!! I need to visit...

[@mary-anncarleton7578]

Heck ya you all got it going on. Frickin beautiful ❤️❤️❤️

[@leinadresiak]

Very nice building and great footage. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@JonathanKuhn]

Thanks!

[@suzanneparker1799]

That lake will be wonderful between steams in the hot room.

[@gracetang6233]

these vids are awesome!!! keep making these, i’m obsessed

[@JonathanKuhn]

😀 okayyy

[@blazers12369]

Super well done video, keep it up!

[@clutch747]

wow!

[@markgazelka8493]

Per research from Finland, the correct pronunciation is sow nuh, not sonna!

[@JonathanKuhn]

I don’t trust you. I’ve hear you say cappuccino.

[@flyinfinn2007]

Well done! Great foundation. I love the quick CSA labels there too haha

[@JonathanKuhn]

Haha. I’m glad someone noticed that little bit

[@emmasshow3081]

How deep the gravel footings should be?

[@ianham]

Master class on foundation and framing. The wire mesh is so important. We have had mice invade our hot tub rigid spray insulation--chewing it into nesting. I get it--it's cold out. But my hot tub needs it. I like your idea of having concrete pads on compacting gravel. How did you settle on that over like just putting pressure treated beams right on gravel? This approach will save me lots of time in my construction. And if we need to move the sauna later we can, I suppose.

[@JonathanKuhn]

I also like that the sauna is moveable. It’s a little tricky getting the pads level (I used a laser) and using the pads makes it easier set one at a time and get them all at the same height before building as opposed to going back and fourth between 3 piles of gravel. I also wanted the pads (called pier blocks) so that I could shim between them and the 6x6 of the ground changes.

[@marcusmazza2255]

Where did you get your pier blocks from? Hard to find them but I like the ones you used! Any light you can shed on this would be appreciated. Thanks!

[@JonathanKuhn]

@marcusmazza2255 I got them from the local home hardware building supply place. I think most or many building supply places will vary them.

[@villel6542]

Hey, I like your content. I hope you get more audience. Greetings from Finland - the land of 3,2 million saunas for 5,5 million people.

[@JonathanKuhn]

Greeting! I hope the löyly is as good as at least 0,2 million of the saunas in Finland!

[@keithkuckler2551]

Check your counties zoning ordinance. In my county in north east Minnesota, no structure no matter the size, can ber closer than the specified lake set back. This applies to "temporary buildings" on skids ect. It is usually at least 100 feet from the high water line of the lake shore. Check first or you may have to tear it down or move it. and, pay a fine as well.

[@gibbygordo]

1:00

[@akcorbel]

Great video! Looking to build a sauna myself, just a question why the gap between the foam and the rodent wire mesh? Keep the vids coming!

[@JonathanKuhn]

The gap is only for ease of install. It was easy to roll out the mesh and staple to the bottom of the framing vs up against the insulation in each “pocket” under the floor. Not sure if it’s the right way to do it but it’s what we did 😀.

[@srb_keepthechange]

What a location! I noticed you are using the Paslode framing nailer - do you find that the 3" nails were sufficient legnth (and stregnth) for framing your sauna?

[@JonathanKuhn]

😀. The Paslode worked great for me and it’s an old model. I used 3 1/4 nails which is acceptable from what I’ve read. I’d do with 3 1/2 if hand nailing but the Paslode worked great and made quick work of it.

[@davidMarchesseault]

hey @jon can I get the build list for this. Amazing job!

[@JonathanKuhn]

Hi. This is something I’m working on in the new year alongside some proper plans.

[@chriswilson484]

Can you use standard pine lumber for frame? As long as the interior is cedar or other

[@JonathanKuhn]

Yup!

[@user-hb8yj8vb8j]

What did you use for the plumbing? Mind if I ask how you fastened it to floor?

[@JonathanKuhn]

I just used a basic floor drain, the kind you would put in a basement concrete floor. I think I glued it in before doing the skim coat.

[@robertozambrano7545]

Are the main floor beams just sitting on the pavers? Or did you fasten them with something?

[@JonathanKuhn]

They are just floating on the pavers. If they footings were poured concrete in the ground I’d tie the building to them but they footing foot too so this made sense

[@DerrickTheShow77]

Building one up in Montana on a buddy's property soon, figuring out foundation and whether to pour a slab, or use concrete/cinder blocks like you all did. What are your thoughts and considerations re: the method you chose? How and why did you do it like that? Looks like a shallow hole with gravel for perch/leveling and blocks on top to mimic posts. Any and all beta much appreciated! Thanks.

[@JonathanKuhn]

Concrete slab is certainly the best way to go if you can. My route was simpler but concrete will be more solid. Don’t forget to plumb in a drain.

[@theweightliftinglab]

What thickness of plywood did you use for your walls and roof?

[@JonathanKuhn]

I think it was 5/8”

[@blackhouse7646]

What program did you use?

[@JonathanKuhn]

SketchUp free

[@urloony]

have you had any frost heave?

[@JonathanKuhn]

Not that I’ve noticed. The building is so small and solid that even if it heaves it should all move together and settle together. It’s still level after 1 winter but if that changes I’ll jack it up and shim the footings. I’ll take any advice you have though!

[@BeyondGrappling]

Is the floor sheeting plywood?

[@JonathanKuhn]

Yes. Pressure treated ply

[@BeyondGrappling]

@@JonathanKuhn legend

[@theweightliftinglab]

Did you use pressure treated plywood for your floor?

[@JonathanKuhn]

Yes I did.

[@benkieffer925]

Any way you can share your build plans with us?

[@leinadresiak]

Check the description.

[@christophermalecki9772]

how far down did you dig for your foundation blocks?

[@JonathanKuhn]

About a foot where I could.

[@christophermalecki9772]

Are your cement blocks balanced higher than ground level on your gravel mounds? @@JonathanKuhn

[@bryananderson2221]

I was told never use foam insulation because of the gases that are emitted from the heat.

[@JonathanKuhn]

Fortunately there is little no no heat on the floor. I wouldn’t use this on the walls although I did use some spray foam around the windows. There are mixed opinions on this. Everything is vapour barrier and I did some temp tests on the wall cavity during use and the temp is quite low during a hot sauna.

[@buffalo96822]

@@JonathanKuhn good to know. I am in the middle of building my sauna so I’m trying to learn as much as I can. Do you think it’s necessary to insulate the floor then?

[@theweightliftinglab]

Are those 2x8s you used for the base?

[@JonathanKuhn]

I used 2x10 so I could get away with two beams and not 3

[@kdpmac2207]

Hey@@JonathanKuhn Awesome build! I appreciate you spreading the love with the SKP model. I noticed you have 2X8's in the model... Are you happy with that extra 2" of height and structure? Really trying to limit our height off the ground in our design. Once again cheers for this video series

[@jessesenko]

as soon as I finished my bunkie our municipality doubled the no-permit minimum 🤦‍♂

[@JonathanKuhn]

No way 😢. Time to build an addition? Ha

[@gdrozd555]

can u share the sketch up file?

[@JonathanKuhn]

Hey Greg. I just added a download link to the basic framing in the description. Use as inspo only. These have not been looked at by an engineer and may not comply with your local building code. Happy planning!

[@gdrozd555]

@@JonathanKuhn i dont see it anywhere. Cheers

[@robiniwanowski7698]

Hey man, would love to get the download link 👍

[@shafran666]

@@JonathanKuhn yep great work I would love a sketchup model also

[@JonathanKuhn]

Check out the video description. I added it there. Happy building ! 👍