Build Your Own Sauna
A complete guide for DIY home builders and contractors — from planning and permits to the finishing touches.
One-time purchase. Instant PDF download.
What's inside
7 chapters covering everything from the first planning conversation to the final build — with cost tables, checklists, and real-world guidance throughout.
Getting Started
Understand sauna types, realistic costs ($4,000–$12,000), and how to plan your project timeline.
Planning Your Sauna
Size charts, layout configurations (L-shaped, U-shaped, tiered), bench heights, and indoor vs. outdoor considerations.
Heating Systems
Compare electric vs. wood-burning heaters, sizing guidelines, and electrical requirements for each option.
Essential Design Features
Ventilation, insulation, vapor barriers, and window placement — the details that separate a great sauna from a costly mistake.
Materials & Costs
A complete sourcing guide with cost ranges and recommendations for every material you'll need.
Step-by-Step Construction
Detailed building instructions from framing to finish — written for DIYers and contractors alike.
Contractors & Permits
What permits you need, when to hire out, and how to work with contractors to stay on budget.
What you'll walk away knowing
- The real cost of a DIY sauna build — and how to stay on budget
- How to size and lay out a sauna for your space and family
- Which heater type is right for your situation
- The ventilation and vapor barrier details most builders get wrong
- A complete materials list with current pricing guidance
- Step-by-step construction from framing to benches to finish
- When you need a permit and when you don't
Ready to build your sauna?
A sauna build costs $4,000–$12,000. This guide helps you spend that money right.
One-time purchase. Instant PDF download. No subscription required.