Wood-fired Timber Frame Sauna - Quick Tour

[@SalemWoodworks]

So, after living with the sauna for a year, here are some summary thoughts: Things I’d do differently if I built it again: 1. Skip the concrete slab and build a wooden floor. The slab is overkill, and a wooden floor would have a better "sauna feel". 2. No electricity in the hot room. It hasn't caused any issues, but I have no idea why I thought I needed outlets in the hot room. The light switches I'd reverse so they operate from the change room side. 3. Add furring strips to create an air gap between the vapor barrier and interior paneling. 4. Use rockwool insulation and not fiberglass pink and rigid foam (again, no issues, I've just learned that I should have done it differently). 5. Put a light switch on the porch lights (they are on a day/night timer right now) so I can easily switch off the porch lights when I want to enjoy the darkness during cool off sessions on the porch (right now, I walk around the back of the sauna and unplug the landscape lighting power box). Things I plan to change soon: 1. Build my benches wider (24" instead of 20") and build a higher bench so I could get my feet up above the stones, as sauna experts prefer. I actually plan to re-build mine soon and will post an update video. 2. Use double-wall stove pipe in the hot room as the clearances between my rafters are really too close for single-wall pipe, and I’m fearful of fire. 3. Build a bigger deck out in front of the porch so more than two people can socialize comfortably during cool down sessions. On the wish list 1. Add some sort of cold plunge. 2. A hydrant near the sauna so I don’t have to carry buckets for water. 3. Outdoor shower.

[@Bazilli]

If you don't like the bare concrete, why not make/buy a duckboard floor? I have concrete with duckboard and many saunas I've used have it. I have that same stove (I think, it looks the same at least). Not sure how old it is, sauna was built 28 years ago is all I know. Previous owner (or maybe the company not sure) welded a water basin to it, thinking it was the previous owner. (I live very near where Nippa started in the UP) Also I dunno if this will solve the single wall pipe issue you have, mine has single wall, but there's a metal box mounted to the ceiling the pipe goes in, I think it's to alleviate any potential heat clearance problem but I'm not exactly sure about that to be honest. You got a very beautiful sauna tho

[@Bazilli]

I just watched some of your other vids and see you already put in the double walled pipe. Probably for the best. My ceiling box hangs down like 18-20 inches maybe, some big bulky thing but it's not like it's taking up usable space. Again, I don't know if its actual purpose is to reduce heat but I have no noticeable damage or anything to the wood, maybe it works for that (I'm gonna actually look into it at some point now, not that I'm worried, just curious, I've used the sauna hundreds of times, and the previous owners had it for 25 years.)

[@IronJohn755]

I love this video series, am starting to daydream about building a sauna. Re: other comments, whatever this design lacks in thermal efficiency, etc. it more than accounts for in beauty and the satisfaction of having built it. Who wouldn't prefer to sit every day in this sauna, whatever small drawbacks, than a perfectly efficient, boring box? What a joy and legacy for your family!

[@iananderson8288]

I love how you can see the pine frame in the sauna.. it is gorgeous! One of the most beautiful saunas i have ever seen. Well done

[@SalemWoodworks]

Thank you.

[@pvahanen-dh5rt]

The best sauna is shit! Just like it washes all the dirt away. The rest is refinement!

[@hpisila]

Hi, as a registered architect and a Finn who has built 2 saunas and designed a few more, a few comments. First off, the entire project is very attractive, I love timber frames and have designed and cut timbers myself. The interior siding should be knot-free wherever your skin touches. I once built a wood fired sauna with locally available pine siding and the knots would weep burning hot pitch when we got the stove pipe cherry red and the room to 220 degrees F. Others have commented on the height issue. I would like to always feed the fire from a thru-wall neck stove and have the firebox door in the changing room. Overall a nice sauna, my compliments.

[@SalemWoodworks]

I appreciate you taking the time to leave feedback, as it will allow others who view this to learn. I am neither an architect nor a Finn, so I've been learning as I go along... sometimes too late. I bought the stove before I even planned the sauna. I agree that in retrospect a design which feeds through-the wall from the change room would have some advantages. I'm a retired engineer who specialized in Fluid Mechanics, so I do like that the draw from the hot room ensures good ventilation and I never have any moisture issues in there. I'm suspicious that there's some trade-off in stove designs. The knots are a non-issue since my paneling is Eastern White cedar and there is no pitch (although I do get some pitch from the pine timbers). I agree knot free would be better, but this cedar was cut from my father's family farm in Canada, so it's what I had available (and has some sentimental value). Yes, the vaulted ceiling is less than ideal. The frame design came from a timber framing course I took, so I sort of inherited the design. I could have framed in a flat ceiling, but I'm not sure I could bring myself to hide the beautiful timber framing. If I ever design another sauna, I will do it differently. For this sauna, I plan to rebuild my benches to add a third tier up near the peak to make the most of the heat and steam. This will also get our feet above the stones, which I now know is a desired design element for benches. It's been a fun project and we have found the sauna experience has added greatly to our quality of life. Finn's are definitely onto something. Thanks again.

[@NSResponder]

Lovely. Hope you'll enjoy it for many years to come.

[@SalemWoodworks]

Three years in at this point and we love it. Life-changing in the long winter.

[@RobCummings]

Really good job on the build! The heavy timber frame looks great. The porch and changing room are also key additions for any outdoor sauna.

[@SalemWoodworks]

Just about to start building a deck that will expand on the porch seating and provide space for a cold plunge/wood-fired hot tub. Stay tuned...

[@grumpy1962R]

Yea North House Folk School!!

[@JimReeves54]

Great job. Enjoyed watching you make it.

[@maegenleake2975]

So thrilled I found this video! I'm actually building out a timber framed sauna in Colorado right now and your full build video will definitely be something I'll reference. I'm from the UP with strong Finnish roots so it has to be done right! The sauna we have back home is over 100 years old and just can't be beat but I'll do my best.

[@SalemWoodworks]

If you're on Facebook, there are some good groups; sauna design use and enjoyment; wood fired sauna. Another good web resource is saunatimes.

[@authenticshift5515]

What a Beauty! Thanks for sharing.

[@richardhineline5018]

Absolutely beautiful!!

[@kand-oss4615]

Beautiful, now that's a proper sauna.

[@SalemWoodworks]

Thank you. After using it for a year, I do have some improvements in mind. Check back with my channel for updates to come...

[@lightningdriver81]

Very impressive.

[@RaisedinAlaska]

Nice build.

[@peterralph6112]

Beautiful sauna. Very stylish. Great finish too. Well done!

[@SalemWoodworks]

Thanks so much!

[@mdcoomer67]

2 billion years from now, when the aliens show up to tour what's left of Earth, they're going to be able to enjoy a frosty beverage on the porch of this sauna. This thing is built like a tank! Thank you for sharing this, and your other videos.

[@SalemWoodworks]

Best comment yet.

[@HvacWizard]

Beautiful sauna!

[@andreybal777]

Coolest sauna DIY

[@SalemWoodworks]

Thanks!

[@JRM8047]

Fantastic sauna, looks amazing!

[@SalemWoodworks]

Thank you!

[@kellivautour639]

Very nice cousin.

[@SalemWoodworks]

Thanks! You should visit and try it out...

[@andreysvidenko5060]

Beautiful sauna🤤

[@SalemWoodworks]

Thank you 😋

[@undomesticated7504]

Incredible build. Would love to mill my own wood for my next build.

[@SalemWoodworks]

We're collecting self cut timber for the next project.

[@goldsackb2]

Amazing!

[@Patricio24601]

Amazing

[@wolflahti412]

Very pretty-but the door to the hot room should *always* open out.

[@SalemWoodworks]

Yes, a design rule I learned too late. To be remembered for the next sauna I build, along with a few other lessons.

[@samitamminen7770]

You should not have electrical outlets or switches in sauna. And also you should leave a ventilation gap between aluminium paper and wooden panels and a gap between the wall and sitting bench. But still a nice looking sauna. Greetings from Finland.

[@SalemWoodworks]

First, I'm honored to have merited a comment from Finland. Since I'm in America, I didn't have access to many sauna experts, so I was doing my best to figure things out on my own. In retrospect, I'm sure all your advice makes sense, so hopefully it will help others who come after. If I were to do things over, I would follow your advice. I'm not terribly concerned about the ventilation issues as the sauna building itself is well ventilated and dries out quickly after use. I'm actually surprised at how dry the sauna really is, even when in use. So far, I see no signs of any issues with the electrical. I admit I would do things differently the next time... no idea why I thought I needed electrical outlets in the hot room, and the light switches could easily be made so that they were accessed from the changing room side. We'll see if I need to retrofit things in after a few years of use.

[@yanick7883]

Looks very nice! I would change the light switch from saunaroom to changeroom for safety reason

[@yanick7883]

reading about your experiences after writing my comment😅

[@SalemWoodworks]

Yup... mistakes were made. So far no issues though.

[@TheoSmith249]

I wonder if you did any Energy Calculations on the Stove output (say in Kilowatts) vs the Cubic Volume of the Room. Keeping in mind the very general rule of thumb of 1 Kw per each cubic Meter (you're Canadian) . For me getting the nice effect of the steam requires a somewhat lower ceiling than you have.. and I like it really hot 190-200Fthats for the Americans) But that's just me. It's a beautiful design and looks highly functional- I like the sponge on a rope- Good idea!

[@SalemWoodworks]

Surprisingly (particularly given that I'm a mechanical engineer with a Master's degree in fluid mechanics) I have not made these calculations. I've relied on the suggested room volume range by the stove manufacturer. Actually, the stove I bought is (barely) a size small for the room volume. I bought the stove years before I decided on the timber frame design. We've actually noted that the best heat is up in the peak and I have a plan to revisit my bench design this winter (or perhaps next spring) to get us higher up into that heat had steam. The other variable we need to change is the wood we burn. I right now I'm burning a fairly soft hardwood (poplar, also known as cottonwood... similar to aspen) because that's what I had on hand. Next year I hope to collect some denser hardwoods for better heat release. As North Americans, we're still figuring this sauna thing out... and I'm working on my pronunciation...

[@spokey21]

Beautiful sauna! This is very similar to what I would like to build. I'm wondering if you could share any photos/details on the wall and ceiling insulation method. I'm curious how you integrated the insulation into the timber frame; did you build stud walls inside the frame or find big sheets of insulation? Also, I'm curious what your thoughts are on doing the North House Folk School vs researching and trying on my own. I have done some practice timberframing on a lean-to I attached to my garage. I also have a sawmill (timberframing was a big reason for the purchase) and most of the tools necessary. I live in Michigan and would like to do the course but with a couple young children at home it's all a balance. Just curious if you think there are things to be learned in person that might not be revealed in books and videos or in practice. Thanks so much for sharing your work; I'm feeling inspired!

[@SalemWoodworks]

Thanks Joe! Where in MI are you. I'm in Salem, MI. If you're interested in building, I have a full playlist documenting the entire sauna build kzbin.info/aero/PLsTWZL0_t0YPhnH7-_Z_aOSw90x-dLrjX That covers how I insulated the roof and walls. I admit I'd do the walls differently if I did it again. I've since learned that most builders recommend using rockwool insulation (I used fiberglass batts and rigid foam). I've also since learned that I should have used strapping inside the foil vapor barrier to allow for airflow behind the inside paneling. That said, I've had no issues after the first year of use. Don't hesitate to reach out with more questions as you dig into the build.

[@spokey21]

@@SalemWoodworks I am in Harbor Springs. The playlist sounds great, I'll have to check it out. Thanks for documenting your build and being willing to offer advice.

[@pekkakuosmanen65]

Nice Sauna. Pine and heat= resin. Upper bench suppose be at one feet higher. Propaply very good löyly in your Sauna.

[@SalemWoodworks]

Yes, we have some resin from the frame, but nothing too bad. After using it for a year. I've actually decided to reconfigure the benches... stay tuned.

[@WadeLitt]

Awesome job on this. I'm at the beginning stages of building a sauna and actually wondering about your video making... Wondering what kind of camera(s) and setup you used. That and any other tips that might be useful for recording my build. I really appreciate it.

[@SalemWoodworks]

Thanks! If you had to start with one tool, get a GoPro. They take great video, time lapse and good photos. It's small, robust and easy to configure lots of different ways (and fun for lots of other stuff too, like underwater videos). Costco currently has a nice deal on a GoPro Hero 9 bundle. The latest generation is the Hero 10, but I have the Hero 8 and it's already really quite good (except for battery life.... buy extra batteries... I believe the Costco bundle comes with extras). For video editing software, I started with Camtasia because I had access to it through my former job, but I've just switched to the toolset in Adobe Creative Cloud. Adobe has a subscription model, so I was hesitant, but they are running a good deal for Black Friday through Nov 26th for the first year of subscription. Good luck on the build, and I hope to see videos.

[@guidanceaccounting9999]

Great job on the sauna, it’s beautiful! Do you think this would work on concrete footings instead of a slab? I have a sloping lot that I would love to build a sauna on, but would need to accommodate for uneven terrain. Coincidentally I will be taking a timber frame class at North House Folk School in Grand Marais, also. Thanks!

[@SalemWoodworks]

Yes, absolutely it would work on concrete footings. If I had it to do over, I think I'd building it on concrete pilings and build it with a wooden floor deck (like I'm doing with my current garden shed build). You'll love the North House class... enjoy!

[@guidanceaccounting9999]

@@SalemWoodworks thanks for your feedback! A couple of other questions I am having - what do you think about a rubber underlining and turf roof on your design? Or, do you think the roof as you built it would support solar panels?

[@SalemWoodworks]

My wife really lobbied for a turf roof. I think I stuck to a more conventional roof because I understood it better. I'm fairly sure the structure would support a turf roof and the roof slope is JUST flat enough to consider one. I might even consider trying it in the future. The existing roof would support solar panels for sure, although in my case it's not oriented the best to capture sunlight.

[@pvahanen-dh5rt]

Hundreds of years ago in Finland, a sauna was a place where it was warm. Then it was invented that you can wash yourself (and give birth) clean of all dirt there. Then we noticed that it is also comfortable. Finns in 2024 will go to the sauna to clean themselves of all the sweat, bad smells and rude things!i Can say that Finns are the cleanest and happiest people in the world.

[@SalemWoodworks]

We definitely think the Finns are on to something. My wife is a doula, so she'd be interested in that birthing idea.

[@Ruby-gd9kb]

L O V E I T !!!

[@kirillsyroegin9899]

How big is the sauna room ?

[@SalemWoodworks]

9' x 7.5'

[@mikemuniak4711]

What is the size of your build

[@SalemWoodworks]

The overall footprint of the frame is 13.5' × 13.5'

[@dustinberg1134]

Very nice, esthetically, top notch, but as far as function goes, the roof should be flat as a pancake on the inside and as close to your head as possible, as you know heat rises, so all the heat will collect on the top, or you will have to heat much more to compensate for the high ceilings, a sauna is not a place to get fancy with cathedral ceilings etc......my 2cents and I'm just being factual not knocking your work, it is gorgeous, just stating a thermodynamic fact. Enjoy.

[@SalemWoodworks]

The original frame design was inherited from the "build your own small frame" timber framing course we took at the North House Folk School, so I can't take "credit" for that. I will agree with you from a pure sauna design perspective. Actually, after using the sauna for a year, I've decided to re-build the benches to add a third tier where your feet will be at the current level of the upper bench (36 inches from the floor). That will have our heads up in the peak area and our feet above the stones, which I now know something sauna purists recommend. We live and learn and adapt along the way. Thanks for the comment, as it can help others who find this video and are interested in sauna design.

[@nemesis1970]

how it saunas

[@raycecil4643]

why is it asymmetric?

[@SalemWoodworks]

Allows for a large hot room and smaller change room.

[@shinnick22]

That stove is pronounced Neep…………Pa. That’s how the yooper Finns I know say it.

[@SalemWoodworks]

Noted.

[@dakotaboysnomadicadventures]

No banya hats?

[@SalemWoodworks]

Not yet. We're still learning how to sauna properly.

[@SalemWoodworks]

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