Home Sauna Options Explained

No matter what you're shopping for, it helps to know all of your options.

A home sauna is certainly no different.

There are six different options for owning a sauna. My goal is to help make your decision just a little bit easier.

Here's your list of choices:

• Pre-cut sauna kit
  
• Modular package
  
• Portable sauna
  
• Outdoor sauna
  
• Custom-designed sauna
  
• Build your own sauna

To find out how to buy a sauna for a cheap price, read my Discount Sauna article.

Here's a brief look at each…

Pre-cut Sauna Kit

If you have some handyman skills and enjoy the rewards of piecing things together, this may be the choice for you. Among the full size home sauna options, pre-cut sauna kits are least expensive. But they also take more work to set up.

Your package arrives at your doorstep as pre-cut pieces that you will have to assemble. Detailed instructions will be included.

Pre-cut sauna kits continued

Modular Sauna Kit

Modular sauna kits have two benefits: ease of assembly and portability. They include 2 to 5 pieces that lock together to form a full size sauna. Unlike pre-cut kits, modular sauna kits don't require many carpentry skills to assemble. But they're usually more expensive.

More on modular pre-fab sauna kits

Portable Sauna

Modular saunas are considered portable. But there are a bunch of smaller and more compact portable models on the market. These smaller 'saunas' don't resemble traditional saunas at all, but they have the same principle: use dry heat to warm the occupant.

Portable saunas take on many shapes. Some models are actually small foldable tents, while others take on a dome shape. You also have a choice of a portable steam sauna or infrared sauna.

More on portable saunas.

Outdoor Sauna

You can assemble your sauna kit in your front or back yard, or on your deck or patio. It will need to be situated on a non-penetrable surface. These saunas are made to endure the outside elements.

Here are things you should know - Outdoor saunas.

Custom Designed Sauna

This option is definitely the most expensive, but it's also the most exciting!

You're limited only by your imagination. Manufacturers do assist you with decision making.

Build Your Own

Thousands of people have and continue to build saunas from scratch. For people with little carpentry skills (like me), this can be a very difficult task.

Here's an overview of the steps:

• design or buy the plans (location, type of heater, size)
• find and buy the wood
• carefully measure and cut the wood
• assemble all the pieces, including the door, heater and bench

Again, without certain skills this is a difficult job.

You can read more here - building a sauna.

That sums up your different options for your own home sauna. Besides personal preference, the best choice for you really depends on a number of factors.

Related: How to find a cheap sauna