Five Outdoor Sauna Myths Answered
When you start looking seriously at an outdoor sauna, the questions quickly move beyond which design you like. Is the garden big enough? What does the installation actually involve? Can it be used throughout the year?
We speak to clients about these questions regularly, and the answer is usually more straightforward than the generic advice online suggests. It comes down to the sauna you choose, the space you have and how you plan to use it.
Here are five common myths we'd love to clear up!
Myth 1: You need a huge garden
It is more about the space you have than the size of the garden
Garden size is only one consideration. We have seen outdoor saunas work beautifully in relatively compact gardens, while larger gardens can present challenges with access, levels or positioning.
The sauna's footprint matters, but so do the route from the house, boundaries, existing buildings, privacy, views and how you want to use the space around it.
For some clients, stepping straight from the sauna into the garden is important. For others, the view or a more private position matters more. The right location comes from looking at all of these things together.
Myth 2: Every sauna feels the same
The specification makes a real difference
Two saunas can look very similar but feel quite different to use. Room volume, heater selection, bench layout, timber, glazing, ventilation and controls all contribute to the experience.
Glazing can change the atmosphere of the room, while bench position affects how the space is used. The heater also needs to be correctly specified for the room rather than chosen in isolation.
This is why it is worth looking beyond the exterior design when comparing outdoor saunas. The details inside matter just as much.
Myth 3: You can just put a sauna on the lawn
The base and access need to be considered first
A finished sauna can make installation look simple, but the site needs to be prepared properly beforehand.
The right base depends on the particular sauna and the site, with ground conditions, levels, drainage, access and services all needing to be considered. There is no single base solution that works for every project.
Access is important too. Narrow gates, steps, walls and changes in level can all affect how the sauna reaches its final position.
Getting these details sorted before delivery makes the installation much more straightforward.
Myth 4: Outdoor saunas are only for summer
For many people, winter is part of the appeal
One of the pleasures of an outdoor sauna is the contrast between the heat inside and the cooler air outside. For many owners, that makes the sauna just as appealing in winter as it is in summer.
That does not mean every outdoor sauna is automatically suitable for every condition. The product specification, materials, installation, maintenance and conditions of the site all matter.
If you want to use your sauna throughout the year, it is worth understanding the requirements of the particular model you choose.
Myth 5: Once the sauna is delivered, the project is finished
Delivery is only part of the installation
It is important to understand what is included in your project before the sauna arrives. Delivery, installation, electrical connection, heater installation, commissioning and handover can all be separate considerations depending on the order.
We prefer to establish this at the start so everyone knows what needs to be ready, who is responsible for each part and what will happen on installation day.
A little planning beforehand can make the whole process much smoother.
Start with your garden. The right sauna depends on the space you have
By the time you are considering an outdoor sauna, you probably already know what you like. The next step is working out what will actually work in your garden.
Send a photograph of your garden to our team here at KeiCo, some approximate dimensions and your postcode, and we'll talk you through the practicalities of your space, from positioning and access to specification and installation.
Our goal is to help you find a sauna that looks right, works properly and feels at home in your garden.
