An outdoor traditional sauna is a wonderful way to relax. To get your own outdoor sauna, you can either build the sauna yourself, convert an existing building into a sauna, or purchase a pre-built sauna that you assemble yourself.

For the purposes of this article, we will cover everything there is to know about outdoor traditional saunas and provide some recommendations for purchasing pre-built ones that you can easily assemble yourself.

How Does a Traditional Outdoor Sauna Work?

Traditional saunas give users a more authentic feel during their session. Their build and function is quite similar to the first saunas that started it all. These types of saunas work by using an electric, gas-powered, or wood-burning heat source topped with sauna stones. The heated sauna stones transfer heat to the entire sauna room. 

When you pour water on the stones, it creates bursts of steam adding to the temperature and humidity. These saunas have a more authentic feel and are very similar to how saunas have been used for centuries.

While others might use steam generators or infrared heaters (with no steam) traditional saunas still use water and sauna stones. This is where the phrase “traditional sauna” comes from.

What’s the Difference Between Traditional Outdoor Saunas and Infrared Saunas?

Here we will explain the key elements that make a traditional outdoor sauna “traditional,” and how it differs from infrared saunas.

Heating Method

Outdoor Traditional Saunas:

• Heats the surrounding air and warms the entire sauna room 

• Operates at higher temperatures than infrared saunas  – outdoor traditional sauna rooms can reach a temperature of 185 degrees Fahrenheit and above

• Focus is on making you sweat by exposure to high heat

Infrared Saunas:

• Heats the body directly instead of the room

• Uses a wavelength of light to bring heat directly to your body

• Typical temperatures are usually between 120 and 150 degrees Fahrenheit

• Also causes intense sweating, but at a lower temperature

Humidity Levels 

Outdoor Traditional Saunas:

• Because it includes the ability to make steam, outdoor traditional saunas operate with higher humidity levels

• Steam helps to open pores and shed dirt, bacteria and dead skin cells

• Promotes less congestion and improves blood circulation

Infrared Saunas:

• Cannot be used to make steam, so operates with lower humidity levels

• Offers other health benefits (like relieving muscle soreness and arthritis) but not due to steam

Methods for Building a Traditional Sauna

You have 3 options for building your sauna:

1. Total DIY - completed by gathering all materials on your own and building it from the ground up

2. Using an Existing Building - completed by taking a shed, garage, or log cabin that is no longer in use and turning it into the exterior of your sauna 

3. Pre-Built Sauna - selecting a pre-built sauna with the required materials on hand and many parts already assembled

For directions on how to build a sauna or convert an existing building, please click here to read our blog “How to Build an Outdoor Sauna for Two People.” The next phase of this article will cover pre-built traditional outdoor saunas and our recommendations.

The Best Outdoor Traditional Saunas On the Market

Some of the top traditional outdoor sauna brands include Almost Heaven, Dundalk LesiureCraft, Thermory and Forever Saunas, due to their wide variety of sauna sizes that can fit any budget and space.

Barrel saunas are some of the most popular outdoor sauna shapes! That’s because their shape is easy to assemble, maintain and tends to be very heat-efficient.

Here are our recommendations for outdoor traditional saunas in a barrel shape:

• The Almost Heaven Pinnacle 4-Person Standard Barrel Sauna is one of our most popular models! It is the perfect size for individuals, couples, and most small families.

• The Dundalk Leisure Craft Panoramic View Barrel Sauna is another popular choice because of its unique bubble back window – perfect for gorgeous views!

• Thermory and Forever Saunas (pictured above) feature barrel saunas made of thermally modified lumber. This feature makes them some of the most durable and long-lasting saunas on the market.

Recommendations for outdoor traditional saunas in other shapes:

• The Almost Heaven Allegheny 6-Person Cabin Sauna looks like an actual cabin and even has a large front porch! It boasts multi-level seating inside, and despite its complex look (See image below) – it can be easily assembled by two people! 

•  The Dundalk Leisure Craft Luna models are gorgeous with beveled siding and large open windows in the front. They come in 3 different sizes along with options for wood types, including clear cedar (no knots present) and knotty cedar (for a more “rustic” look). 

• Also by Dundalk is the very popular Mini-Pod traditional outdoor sauna. It features a sloping tear-drop shape and is quite spacious despite being named “mini” and can fit 4 to 6 people inside.

The Wood-Burning Stove & The Electric Stove

The three possible heating sources for a traditional saunas are a wood-burning stove, electric stove and gas-powered heater. Electric and wood-burning are the most common that you will find. Wood-burning stoves can provide a more realistic feel with the crackling wood fire, but electric stoves work wonders as well! They tend to be more convenient once they’re set up and offer the most customization, such as Wifi control. Regardless of which kind of sauna stove you choose, all three provide efficient heat to sauna stones.

Electric Heater Requirements

If you opt for an electric sauna stove, here is some helpful information for your electrician provided by Almost Heaven: 

• Your sauna heater needs 220 volts to operate correctly. They are responsible for making sure it is hard-wired to the electrical box  

• A 4.5 kw or 6 kw heater  needs a 30-amp breaker and 10/2 wire.

• Exception: If the heater is more than 30 feet away from the breaker, it needs a  8/2 wire. 

• If your sauna heater has 8 KWs, it needs a 8/2 wire, as well as a 40 amp breaker.  

• Be sure that your electrician places the wiring hole underneath your sauna heater.

• If you are using a barrel sauna, the hole can go through the floor as long as it is below the heater.