Custom Saunas are enjoyed by many people around the world, whether in a home or a commercial setting. The 'Custom Sauna' is not easy to define because each one is different from the next, in size, shape and features. A good short description of the Custom Sauna would be 'sauna components pre-cut to fit into the "rough opening" of a pre-framed and insulated room according to the clients choice of materials and budget'. Custom Saunas are found in a variety of places, such as in homes, basements, on patios or next to cabins. Clients of commercial locations like Gyms, Health Centers, Hotels and Military Facilities demand a Traditional Sauna to help with a speedy recovery from workouts.

Consider these critical points when designing a Custom Sauna:

• Sauna wood paneling should be kiln dried to 6-8% moisture, with milled Tongue & Groove edges and sanded on one face. Western Red Cedar Paneling is a popular choice for the look and famous Cedar aromatic scent. White Aspen paneling is a great non-allergenic (no scent) choice that is popular in detoxification saunas and used traditionally in European Hospitals and the Russian tradition of sauna building as locally available woods. Rustic White Cedar Paneling is a cheap alternative which is usually full of dense knots that can feel like 'hot spots'. Foil Vapor Barrier must be installed on wall framing before paneling. A finish brad nailer gun and stainless steel nails are a must have for doing a quality sauna installation. A trim package nicely covers any slight corner gaps, door jamb and baseboard areas. 
  
  
• Sauna Heater: A quality, properly sized unit will heat up the custom sauna room in a reasonable amount of time and will provide many years of traditional sauna enjoyment. Almost any sauna heater will work for dry sauna, however if you prefer a lot of steam as in Traditional Finnish Sauna then you must have a large rock capacity of 50 lbs. or more for wall mounted heaters. A ladle of water every 3-5 minutes will provide plenty of steam. Know your sauna room total cubic feet LxWxH when shopping for a heater. Electric Sauna Heaters are by far the most popular, for their convenience and easy installation with a licensed Electrician. Whether a standard thermostatic dial control or digital touch pad system, the temperature cut-off limit is typically 194°F (90C). Some of the more popular quality electric stove brands are Finnleo, Polar, Helo, Tylo, Amerec and Scandia. Eventually when you may need replacement parts to repair your sauna heater, these quality brands will have parts available for the reasonable life of the heater, typically 20-30 years. Wood Burning Sauna Stoves are the most traditional and by nature can achieve higher temperatures suitable for the well seasoned sauna bather. Follow installation guide for proper clearance from combustible materials and assembly tips for chimney which is purchased separately from your local building supply store. Gas Sauna Stoves are useful for certain locations as an alternative to electric or wood burning. Installation costs more than the other types. Look for add-on electric ignitors with auto gas valve shut-off to save gas from pilot light constantly running.
  
  
• Sauna Vents should be used for proper air exchange (generally a few exchanges per hour). One intake vent should be near floor under sauna heater (or ½” gap under door) and an outlet vent near front of benches on opposite wall about 1/3 up from the floor (to minimize heat loss). The Sauna Heater will circulate the air throughout the sauna room by convection. Both vents should breathe into the same indoor air space if possible, unless of course it is an outdoor sauna building. The air slowly coming out of the vent is slightly heated and typically does not cause any moisture issues in an adjacent room or hallway. Air exchange helps keep the sauna woods healthy and ensures enough oxygen for comfortable breathing. Tip: Close vents for slightly faster sauna warm up, then open when entering to enjoy the Sauna.
  
  
• Sauna Benches are the one component that you will be in contact with the most, so be sure to design them for comfort first then consider maximizing the seating capacity of the space. It is nice to have the option to lie down on the top tier bench, so a 24” deep top bench is recommended. For seating room only, 18” depth benches are fine. The lower benches are in the cooler temperature range, suitable for children and sauna beginners. Options like backrests and bench skirting add a finished look to any custom sauna bench layout. To help keep the walls clean use backrests, a paraffin oil coating (designed for sauna use of course) which provides a safe surface layer of protection from sweat and water stains.
  
  
• Custom Sauna Doors are designed to minimize heat loss when open, so 24”w x 72”h is commonly considered the standard size. The all glass panel sauna door is the most popular, usually available in standard sizes of clear glass or the popular bronze tint. Framed glass doors are more suitable for use in Commercial Saunas. Other custom made sauna doors are built to order with woods to match the sauna interior paneling, can fit any predetermined size rough opening and may or may not include an insulated glass unit. See a variety of choices in the Sauna Doors Photo Gallery.
  
  
• Sauna Windows are great for making small saunas feel larger and allowing ambient light in for remote locations. For residential saunas one popular option is to install a TV outside the Sauna Window and a set of Sauna Speakers inside the sauna room. For remote locations, simply hang a lantern outside the window for night-time lighting.
  
  
• Sauna Accessories are the finishing touches that make your sauna time more enjoyable. A Sauna Bucket and Ladle provide the means to carry tap water into the sauna and scoop onto the hot sauna rocks for traditional sauna steam. Thermometers and Hygrometers measure the temperature and humidity in the sauna room, allowing you to fine tune your level of comfort. Since Sauna temperatures are too hot for a conventional clock, a Sand Timer is designed for sauna use to measure the passing of time in 15 minute increments. Eucalyptus Oil essence is a great way to enhance the sauna experience by adding a few drops to the sauna water bucket and vaporizing into a fragrant burst of steam. Sauna Headrests or Pillows are designed to maximize comfort and provide proper support when laying down on sauna benches.