Outdoor Saunas – Protecting Your Sauna From The Elements
Outdoor saunas have different
construction requirements than those intended for indoor use, so you must be
certain where you plan to locate your sauna before purchase. The planned
location of your sauna will not detract from the need to have proper insulation
on its inner walls, but a planner choosing a location outdoors will need to
budget for extra work in the preparation of the external walls.
Home saunas planned for indoor or
outdoor use will require the proper treatment of its wood paneling to ensure
that an optimal environment is preserved within your sauna. Some sort of vapor
barrier is required for all the internal walls and the ceiling to insure that
moisture is contained within the sauna – this is an essential aspect of all outdoor sauna plans and construction,
whether the sauna is ultimately intended for use outdoors, or within another
building.
Indoor saunas require no special siding for the outer walls, but a sauna that is
planned for outdoor use will require additional protection against the elements.
Because of the exposure to sun and rain outside, most saunas for outdoors are
more solidly constructed than the indoor type. The most important external
feature of any outdoor structure is a sturdy roof, which is often shingled to
give added protection. Plan to protect the external walls to prevent against
weather damage.
It is possible to transform a sauna planned for indoor use into one for outside
use. With the addition of a roof and siding for the external walls, an indoor
sauna can be transferred outdoors. Indoor saunas can also be used ‘outdoors’ by
building it within an existing outdoor environment, such as a shed or garage –
this way, you will be able to save your indoor space without having to spend
money on adapting your sauna!
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