Get the Print Edition!
Purchase includes your own printed version of “Sauna Build Start to Finish, which includes, Photos, schematics, Building Materials List, and extra bonus information on how to build your own backyard or indoor sauna. $38.95 USD.
From Dream to Steam: A Practical Guide to Building Your Own Sauna
4th Edition of Sauna Build: Start to Finish Now Available in Print
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – June 2025 – A must-have for DIYers and sauna enthusiasts alike, the newly released 4th edition of Sauna Build: Start to Finish is now available in print. This updated and expanded guide walks readers through the entire process of building an authentic sauna—from first idea to final löyly—without needing a Finnish bloodline or a professional contractor.
Author Glenn Auerbach, a longtime sauna advocate, student, and educator, has helped thousands build their own saunas through his e-book and widely followed online resources. The new print edition brings the experience full circle, offering:
Enhanced instructions for greater clarity and confidence
Updated drawings and detailed schematics
“Empathy photos” that show real builds in real-world conditions
Whether you’re building at a cabin, finishing a basement, or transforming your backyard, this guide delivers practical, tested advice in a clear, often humorous tone that makes the process feel both doable and rewarding.
“Building a sauna isn’t just about tools and lumber—it’s about creating a personal space for your own health and wellness retreat,” says Auerbach. “This book gives and empowers a roadmap to get there, through an understanding of the holy trinity of good sauna: heat, steam, and ventilation.”
Built from Sweat Equity and Shared Experience
Sauna Build: Start to Finish is informed by more than a couple decades of conversations, builds, and field research in the growing sauna movement. It distills everything from layout to moisture barriers into a single, user-friendly guide.
Perfect for first-timers and seasoned builders alike, the book aims to empower anyone with the desire—and a little sweat equity—to create their own authentic sauna experience.
Book Details
Title: Sauna Build: Start to Finish
Author: Glenn Auerbach
Edition: 4th (Print + eBook)
Available: Amazon & SaunaTimes.com
ISBN: 978-1-6653-1064-2
About the Author
Glenn Auerbach has become a go-to guide in the global sauna community. Through his writing, workshops, and Sauna Talk podcast, he’s helped thousands roll up their sleeves and build their own saunas—deepening their connection to hot & cold, nature, and the pride that comes from doing it yourself.
This is the best sauna build book of them all. I did a year of research before I built my sauna. And Glenn’s previous book was the most help. And now that my sauna is complete and I have used it for a year I should have followed his book to the T. Glenn’s advice about sauna is really the best. I bought this revised newer book today and can’t wait to read it.
I bought the 1st edition and I couldn’t have built my sauna without it!!! My pages are filled with dog ears, notes and sawdust, a true treasure that I’ve shared with other sauna builders. The book gives direction and inspired me to not stopping working until the sauna was completed. The book is what I sat down with after a day of building to prepare me for the day of sauna adventure.
Thanks Glenn!! your passion shows
I bought Glenn’s book in 2018 or 2019 and proceeded to plan our sauna build for the subsequent 6 years. We now have a finished sauna and I could not have done it without the book. I downloaded it onto my phone and before heading out in the morning to tackle a particular step, I would jump right to his corresponding chapter. Forget all the chatter on the internet (I’d just forget the internet, period. Do it old school like Glenn would want you to) – it’s basically just people incorrectly interpreting what he tells you to do in the book anyways!
About four years ago I decided to build a wood-fired sauna. I had only enjoyed wood-fired saunas twice in my life, and those times many years ago. But, the magic stuck with me.
I’m pretty handy, but needed advice and direction. On the internet, I stumbled across Sauna Times and Glenn. I bought his ebook and picked his brain at times. His generosity, knowledge, experience, direction, and advice were the major reasons my sauna build turned out so well. Now, about four years in, we keep it hot very often.
The ebook was very helpful and, although I’ve not seen this new edition, I imagine it’s only been getting better and better. Build a wood-fired sauna. If I can do it, then you can do it. This book will be your lantern in the dark.
We are all just pilgrims walking each other home. I would love to pay forward the assistance that Glenn (and his ebook) gave to me. If my email address shows up with this comment, then contact me if I can help you in any way.
I purchased Glenn’s book last year and I used it to a T to build my sauna this past winter. It became my bible during the build. There are a lot of technical details to consider when building a sauna to avoid moisture problems etc, and Glenn covers them all. This was my first build with my own two hands (and help from my cousin) and it is incredibly satisfying to take steam on the top bench or cool down on the adjacent deck. Everything you need to know to build a beautiful sauna is in this book. Thank you Glenn for your dedication to spreading sauna joy!
Glenn knows sauna. I bought the ebook and couldn’t have built our sauna without it. It’s full of practical and insightful advice that will guarantee your sauna will be exactly what you want. The information is helpful if you’re dreaming of building your own or trying to figure out which kit to buy.
No sauna build site is complete without this book. Required reading for anyone looking to take action towards the valiant undertaking of reaching for sauna dreams!
Glenn had been a great help in my sauna build. His e-book was used extensively. Has many notes,dog eared pages and read by many friends who are curious about where all this great information came from. I consulted him on details and ended up with a great build.
THANK YOU GLENN
If you’re even thinking about building or buying a sauna, getting this book is step #1. There is SO much out on the internet obsessing over every little detail of sauna building that it is really easy to talk yourself in circles and stall out. In this single source, Glenn helps you focus on the decisions that matter and realize what to not dwell on and just move forward. He guides you but still leaves plenty of room for your own creativity and touches. The book gives you confidence that you can do it. Every time I sauna, I get a sense of pride from building it myself. The only word of caution is that 95% of health club and hotel saunas quickly lose any appeal whatsoever once you understand and construct your own. 🙂
***** 5 stars!
This book is an excellent guide to sauna construction, and once you’ve tried good heat, it’s all over…!
🇬🇧♥️🧖♂️
Could be an interesting book but $45 to ship it to Australia plus exchange rate means a landed cost of A$133, not going to happen when other books on Amazon are less thsn the cost of freight. Pity the ebook is not up to date either..,
Paul.. it’s an interesting book, that’s for sure, and yet, agree, not gonna happen for $133. Don’t blame you there. The ebook is right in step for you, and has offered mountains of return for investment (time saving and money saving tips). I could ship you a book direct for about $15 USD, and i’m sending you a fax to see if you want to go that route.
I love the book! I have come to bump in the road. Right now, I’m working on the door. Once I cut the hole in the door for a window. How will this glass stay in it? Is there trim that is placed in the lip area of the tongue and groove? I am afraid if the wood shrinks the glass will not be secure. Thanks for your time
yes! trim around the window opening. Then clear silicone, then rip a “jam” to lock the window in place. and trim around that.
Thank you for your e-book a decade ago. I have enjoyed so many gatherings. Sauna is an important part of my life and I have enjoyed sharing the tradition with others.
Hello, is the eBook the same as the paper book? I want to order it for Belgium. My son of 17 has to build a sauna in our garden for a large project in his last year. This is I think the only way to have contact. Thanks already for your answer, greatings Aurora Belis
Hi Aurora:
The paper book is different from the ebook in that the paper book has photos and drawings within the text. With the ebook, we keep a lot of that separate so that the ebook is “printer friendly.”
C’est bien, Aurora, et wishing you good bonne sauna!
Thank you Glenn! So, is it better to buy the book because its with more photo’s and drawings but the same information? And can I order it in Belgium? Or is the eBook even completely? If I can’t buy him in Belgium I order the eBook. Than I can start! Aurora
I’m just a bit unclear here–does the purchase of the print book come with the E-book as well?
No. The book purchase gets you a hard copy of the book, with photos and schematics within the text. The ebook purchase gets you the 3rd edition where many of the photos and such are at the end. (more printer friendly).
Perfect! Thanks!
Can I get a signed copy to put into the changing room on my new Black Walnut shelf I will be mounting soon? Will you be coming to NE Michigan anytime soon? This will be my second full winter to enjoy our Sauna built exclusively from your e-book.
Hi Paul, i’m humbled to sign a copy of my book for you. I have no plans to come to NE Michigan anytime soon, but do plan to hit the road in support of Sauna Circuits and affiliated shenanigans, and maybe you may be thinking of coming to Sauna Days? We can get on the bench together there!
Hi Glenn,
I bought your book a month or so ago and it has been hugely helpful. Several places within, it references the “comprehensive materials list in the appendix” but I cannot seem to find it anywhere! Can you point me in the right direction?
Thanks,
Hayley
I sent you an email Hayley! The materials list didn’t make the appendix in the 4th edition print! …. but it will moving forward.. and thanks for calling this out!
Hi Glenn:
As Hayley mentioned, can I get the building materials list and anything else I missed out on in your book that I just received?
Thanks!!
Steve
sending to you Steve!
Hi Glenn,
I just purchased your book and am also looking for the materials list in the appendix! I am building an 8×12 just as your book beautifully describes and the materials list would be most helpful.
All the best and thank you!
Pat
Hi Pat, that’s one spot where the 4th edition print edition didn’t catch the materials list from the ebook 3rd edition. So thanks for your note on that. I emailed you the materials list. And keep in mind that this list is a guide. It is based on converting an existing 8×12 shed into a sauna. So, it details quantities and items including the framing material, insulation, cement board, etc.
Glad you are benefiting from my book. I wrote it for you. I just didn’t know you at the time. So that’s part of the sauna magic!
My journey into a wood fired sauna design started with little knowledge of what a proper sauna really means. I started out by joining some Facebook groups in which had lots of banter and activity but rarely did any questions get answered with a general consensus. Many self proclaimed sauna experts / sauna nazis would come out of the wood work to debate topics such as ceiling heights/ slopes, bench heights, ventilation placement, stove choices, insulation, and almost any other detail you could think of regarding a DIY sauna project. I bought multiple books on the topic that helped with some knowledge about history and abstract of sauna and what standards a proper finish sauna may often have. I was still left without much of the detailed information that you would want to have when taking on this task with little building experience. I stumbled on Glenn’s book through the sauna times website while doing some googling and it was the best thing I’ve done for the process. He does a wonderful job of thoughtful and detailed step by step as well as reasoning from experience and philosophy behind design along the way. Many of my questions about the process were answered throughout the book and I ended up rethinking my initial design a great deal due to a clear sense that Glenn has a massive understanding and experience with sauna building. It was a weight off my shoulders to find literature that was so well organized, detailed, articulate, and comprehensive in a space where everyone has a different answer. A perfect blend of Strategy, Theory, and humor in regards to the topic. If you are feeling overwhelmed in the process of creating your own sauna , this book is to be considered as your sauna bible!