(Finnish sauna, wood bench and tubular lighting)
(infrared sauna, steam generator, stainless steel bench and mood lighting)
Cost to install a sauna varies greatly by region (and even by zip code).
Get free estimates from hot tub and spa specialists in your city.
The average cost of installing a sauna is $4,500.
A sauna is a large or small room where one or more people can sit, relax, and enjoy dry heat. The temperature within the sauna is typically kept at 158-212 degrees Fahrenheit (F) and the relative humidity in the room hovers at 10-20 percent.
The function of the sauna is to increase the body’s skin temperature to 104 degrees F. The skin’s heat spike causes the body to start sweating. Excessive sweating is believed to cleanse the body of toxins and improve cardiovascular function. Installing a sauna in your home allows you to enjoy it daily and reap the related health benefits.
The average cost for an 8x5 foot custom built cedar sauna that seats 4 people is $3,000 - $6,000. One of the key deciding factors in the final cost of the sauna is the heating source. Electric, gas, wood burning, or coal heated saunas are the most inexpensive. An infrared heated sauna is the most expensive.
When deciding if you will benefit from a sauna there are several pros and cons to take into consideration. A sauna may not be ideal for everyone, but for some it is the perfect home improvement option.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Easy to install | Takes up excessive space in the home |
Improves physical circulation | Children should not use |
Increases your home’s resale value | Pregnant women should not use |
Improves sleep | May cause male infertility |
Easy to install | Can cause individuals to overheat |
Creates optimum humidity for health | May dry out skin |
Provides a deep physical cleansing | Can cause skin breakouts |
Helps rid the body of impurities | Diverts circulation from the heart |
There are several types of saunas that you might consider when trying to decide which one will work best in your home. The prices given in the table are all for 2-4 person saunas.
Sauna Type | Features |
---|---|
Wood or Coal Burning - Traditional Finnish Sauna ($1,500-$3,000) | Wood or coal is burned Water is poured onto heated rocks to create humidity Often referred to as a traditional Finnish sauna |
Electrically or gas-powered ($1,500-3,000) | The most common saunas used. |
Smoke sauna ($1,500-$3,000) | Relies on wood as a heat source It has no chimney Rare It takes a long time and a lot of wood to heat |
Steam sauna with a steam generator ($2,500-$6,200) | The temperature is controlled by a thermostat 1 and regulated with electricity It creates 100 percent humidity Often referred to as a Turkish sauna |
Infrared Sauna with a steam generator ($4,000-$6,000)
| Relies on light to create heat It is a dry sauna Often feature a salt injector that inject Himalayan salts to clear the sinuses |
Many people like the ease of having a sauna indoors but others may like the traditional feel of an outdoor sauna. Both have their benefits and drawbacks.
Outdoor sauna | Indoor sauna |
---|---|
Does not need to conform to shape or size | Tends to be built small to readily fit into the home |
Venting is much easier outdoors | Venting indoors can be difficult |
A foundation must be constructed | Relies on the home’s foundation |
Often requires building permits | Requires no building permits |
There is a variety of materials commonly used in various sauna constructions. The woods used to construct a sauna can normally withstand excessive heat and moisture without twisting, bending, bowing, or warping.
Materials | Features |
---|---|
Pine ($2-$4 per sq. ft.) | Inexpensive, light wood Does not hold up well Often has many knots The knots and wood can fall apart |
Cedar ($3-$7 per sq.ft.) | Most common wood used in the construction of a sauna Highly aromatic Natural resistance to decay |
Domestic Spruce ($4-$8 per sq.ft.) | Low cost Quickly falls apart and rots |
Vertical-Grain Hemlock ($6-$9 per sq. ft.) | Moderately-priced Visually appealing Decay resistant |
Nordic White Spruce ($13-$20 per sq.ft.) | Traditional wood used in Finnish saunas Beautiful appearance Decay resistant |
Clear All-Heart Redwood 2 ($30-$35 per sq.ft.) | Most expensive of woods Rare and hard to find Highly disease resistant Wood takes on a dark sheen |
The temperature of a sauna averages 158 and 212 degrees F and it should never get hotter than 212 degrees F on the external part of the sauna. Ideally, a sauna must heat up within a reasonable time period. When picking a heater for a sauna it’s important to ensure that it is the right size for the sauna. You can choose from gas, electric, wood, or infrared heaters (available in carbon and ceramic models).
An electric sauna relies on an electric heater to heat the space. It is quick and easy. Electric saunas are easily controlled with a thermostat.
The average cost of an electric heater is $425.
The pros of this type are:
The cons of this type are:
A gas or propane 3 sauna requires either gas or propane heater to operate. Most cities and suburbs have natural gas readily available to heat this type of sauna. Propane-operated saunas rely on large propane tanks that must be regularly filled. A propane sauna is often used in areas where gas is not available.
A gas heater costs around $2,400.
The pros of this type are:
The cons of this type are:
The initial cost of the wood-burning stove is higher than other types. A wood burning sauna functions on a supply of wood to operate. Wood-burning saunas are considered traditional and have been used for centuries.
Average cost around $1,000.
The pros of this type are:
The cons of this type are:
An infrared sauna relies on infrared lighting to heat the space. The infrared lights require electricity to operate. Infrared saunas have either ceramic or carbon heaters which are both highly pliable. Unfortunately, ceramic heaters often become too hot in a small sauna. Carbon heaters often do not readily raise the body’s core temperature. Ideally, to function best, an infrared sauna should have a combination of ceramic and carbon heaters.
The average price is around $300.
The pros of this type are:
The cons of this type are:
A good ventilation system is a necessity for any sauna. The fresh air creates a feeling of openness and also prevents the sauna’s occupants from becoming light headed. Prefab saunas feature pre-installed ventilation systems. Most ventilation systems feature an air inlet located at the base of the wall by the floor. The inlet sits on the same wall as the sauna heat source. A standard exhaust ventilation fan system averages $70-$120.
The walls of the sauna should be both insulated and protected with a vapor barrier 4. A sauna with 2x4 studs usually has R13 insulation while R19 is used in a sauna with 2x6 studs. The ceiling insulation needs to be R26 or higher for optimum insulation. Insulation boards are often used. The cost to install insulation averages from $5.00-$7.00 per sq.ft. depending on the R value.
The floor of a sauna needs to be heat proof. The four most common types of flooring used are concrete, vinyl 5, plywood 6, and adhesives.
Flooring | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Concrete ($400-$800) | Decorative tiles can be laid on the top of the concrete Highly durable | Requires a sealer to make it waterproof Can become slippery |
Vinyl tiles ($400-$600) | Waterproof | Lack durability Often need to be replaced |
Plywood ($15-$41) | Relatively easy to use Readily available | Requires extensive coats of wood preservative May have issues with heat and humidity |
Adhesives ($120-$130) | Wide array of adhesive flooring option: Linoleum 7 and tiles | Floor must still be rendered waterproof |
Sauna doors are insulated to help retain heat. They can have a window or not. Doors with windows in them tend to cost more (around $800) than doors without (around $600). Most are sealed with a rubber gasket and held closed with a magnetic closure. The height of the door is usually not less than 80 inches.
Sauna lighting creates ambiance and comfort. Many people choose colored lights to set the mood in their sauna. For example, red and yellow lights in the morning to energize or green lights in the evening for relaxation. Colored sauna lights average $300. Fiber optic and LED are both excellent light choices for a sauna, they average $100. Round and tubular shaped lights are both popular choices. Lighting is installed in the ceiling but can also be placed in the floor and walls. These extra lights average around $50 each. Overall, the choice of lights in a sauna is a personal one that reflects the homeowners’ taste.
Most saunas feature a built-in 8 bench to comfortably seat the maximum number of occupants. A wood bench that seats one averages $85. A stainless steel bench that seats two averages $520.
A sauna can be installed anywhere in a home that affords adequate space. Many people opt to place a sauna in the master bedroom, bathroom, or garage. There does need to be electricity and water readily available wherever you opt to install a sauna. If they are not available, you will need to have them installed. A plumber charges $45-$65 per hour. An electrician charges $65-$85 per hour.
Remember, that the doors of a sauna open out so you need to make sure that you not only have enough space to place the sauna in the room but also a sufficient area for the doors to open outward. A custom-built sauna will require hiring a contractor to make the precise designs carry out the construction. The custom designed sauna must also be thoroughly insulated, especially in the ceiling where heat readily escapes.
When installing either a prefabricated or custom-designed sauna, the homeowner will normally need to hire an electrician to install a 220 volt circuit in the home’s existing electrical panel. A 220 volt receptacle will also need to be located near the sauna. For such a job, most electricians will charge from $250 to $600 depending upon the complexity of the wiring and the materials needed.
Many factors affect the cost of a custom-designed sauna. Most carpenters charge an average of $70 per hours plus the cost of materials. Overall, the cost to have a custom-built 4 person sauna that measures 8x5 feet professionally installed will average $7,140.
A sauna will need to be swept out every few days. Also, many owners opt to use a specialized sauna cleaner to remove sweat stains and other oily buildups from the wood twice a year. Teak oil, bacterinol, or paraffin oil are all ideal for cleaning and deodorizing a sauna. The oils average from $10-$25 for 16 oz.
An outdoor sauna will need to be stained every few years to protect the exterior from harmful UV rays. A gallon of wood stain averages $29. One gallon of wood stain will cover 150-300 sq.ft. per gallon.
Sauna heaters should be cleaned once a year. Turn off all power, remove the metal grill and hose it off. Then remove any rocks and hose them off. Allow all items to dry and then replace.
A sauna control panel lets the user control the temperature and humidity of the sauna interior. The panel averages $290-$600.
Mood lights average $100-$1,000 depending on the kind and size. The lights change colors and typically range from blue to green. You can choose the color to fit the mood.
A four-person sauna bench averages $85-$650 depending on the material.
Many people opt to have speakers or a stereo installed in their sauna. The price of a radio/stereo can range from $100-$1500 depending on the system that you purchase.
A prefab, 4 person kit that you install yourself averages $2,640-$4,790. A custom-built sauna averages $3,000-$6,000.
With an electric or gas heater. You can also use wood or infrared heat.
Yes, it can be very good for your health by improving circulation and ridding the body of toxins
Yes, it can be very good for your health as it dramatically improves the body’s circulation.
You can order a prefabricated kit that comes with everything that is necessary to build your own sauna or you can hire a contractor to do a custom build.
A 1000W sauna, run for one hour, will generally use 1 KWh of electricity.
It costs $2,500-$6,200.
A typical 0.45 kW heater will cost approximately $0.50 to run for one hour continuously.
It will cost anywhere from $3,000-$6,000.
Cost to install a sauna varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.