Reference guides
Guides · Page 2
A reference library on planning, sizing, building and maintaining cold-climate outdoor saunas — how to read profiles, size heaters, choose foundations and plan for the cold. The catalogue, not the guides, remains the heart of the archive.
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Maintaining an Outdoor Sauna
An outdoor sauna in a cold climate rewards a little regular care. This guide covers interior timber, exterior cladding, the heater or stove and stones, drainage and the seasonal jobs that keep it lasting. Read guide → -
Siting an Outdoor Sauna
Where you put a sauna shapes how often you use it and how well it performs. This guide covers the practical siting factors and the local rules to confirm before you build. Read guide → -
Cooling Down and the Cold Plunge
The cool-down is not an afterthought to the heat — it is half the experience. This guide covers the cooling options, how to plan the cooling zone, and simple, sensible comfort guidance. Read guide → -
Snow Load and Roof Design
In snow country the roof is a structural decision, not just a look. This guide compares roof forms, explains how snow load is managed, and connects it to the archive's cold-climate profiles. Read guide → -
Choosing and Stacking Sauna Stones
The stones are where the steam comes from. This guide explains stone types, how stone capacity trades warm-up against steam quality, and how to stack and look after them. Read guide → -
Bench Layout and Ergonomics
The benches decide how a sauna feels to sit in and how many it holds. This guide covers tier height, depth, layout options and the relationship between the upper bench, the stones and the ceiling. Read guide → -
DIY vs Professional Builds
Some saunas are a rewarding weekend project; others are firmly professional work. This guide maps the archive's difficulty levels to real skills and to the parts you should never do yourself. Read guide → -
Sauna Doors, Seals and Glazing Details
The door and the seals are small parts with outsized influence on heat loss, draughts and longevity. This guide covers door design, weatherstripping, glazing seals and thermal breaks. Read guide → -
Sauna Lighting and Off-Grid Power
Sauna lighting must tolerate heat and moisture and stay glare-free. This guide covers fixture placement, safe wiring, and running lights and controls off-grid with solar or battery power. Read guide → -
Water Supply and Drainage
Water is the quiet enemy of an outdoor sauna. This guide covers rinse and shower supply, the sealed drained floor, and moving greywater and runoff safely away from the building. Read guide →