Guest post series continues. Enter Russ, with a triangle support system to hold up our sauna benches... Construct your bench, using 2” x 4” cross braces aligned with wall studs. You will need to offset these by ½” from the bottom edge of bench’s perimeter. Make a 16” x 16” sandwich of ¾” cut-offs from a plywood sheet which provides the core of your sauna door. Glue and screw three thicknesses together, for an overall width of 2.25”. The corbels support the cross braces, and their overhangs. The horizontal arm of the corbel should be at least 2/3 the width of a bench, and preferably ¾. It’s like a cantilever! Bisect the square on the diagonal, and cut corbels, leaving 2” tails. Use the Selkirk decorator rim as your guide. Shape the corbels, rounding edges and recessing screws, as this will be in the hot room. Predrill, and drill two ½ inch holes in the vertical leg of each corbel. The holes should be at least 1.5” deep. Distance between holes should be at … [Read more...]
“Get off your butt and let’s make some new sauna benches”
When you set your butt down, do your sauna benches move and creak like an antique dining room chair? Maybe it's time for new sauna benches. I've sat on my share of sauna benches, and I can't get over how this design kicks (cough) butt. And once installed, the upper bench triangle brackets keep things simple and sleek, underneath. This allows for the non-patentable "tuck under" lower bench so nobody can get their leg jammed as they climb down from the upper bench after a long hot sauna round. THE BIG UPSELL: My Build Your Own Sauna ebook will show you how to build these benches. BONUS: We're not messing around. Though this drawing is lame, these dimensions for triangle supports guarantee a right angle - and no squeaky benches. Check out this sauna bench makeover. Are you ready for new sauna benches? "If there is a better design for a sauna bench, I'd like to know about it." … [Read more...]
20 year old sauna benches: time for a makeover
This sauna was built 20 years ago. It'd take a calculator to figure out how many saunas (and how many bare asses) we've had on these sauna benches. The benches were built with 2x4 cedar, but I ran the boards on end. And the framing? very caveman. It took about 20 minutes to disassemble these 18" wide benches and get them outside onto the deck. Then I took apart the benches, saving the 2x4s for a good power washing on all sides. Ahhhhhh that felt good. And with the power washer blasting, boy was I in a mood to give the empty sauna a good once over. Note how yuckie the floor looks beforehand. Then I rebuilt the sauna benches using my patented 24" wide sauna bench technique. Super strong and everything supported well and "flush up" for bare ass comfort. Applying my non patented "header & triangle bench support" method, we line up the joists and … [Read more...]
A sauna backrest that you can cut and nail together in less than an hour
Making these sauna backrests are easy Especially during the tongue and groove stage of building your own authentic sauna, while tools are out and some extra remnant pieces are around. Materials: 7 - 1" x 2" x 15" cedar 1 - 1" x 6" x 15" cedar A finish nailer or a hammer and some finish nails. Directions: Rip the 1x6 into a long triangle. Evenly space and nail 5 of the 1x2s as runners along the angle of the triangles. Nail one vertically in the back, to tie the runners together. Cut the final 1x2 to fit and nail along the base. And while you're at it, it's just as easy to make two or three sauna backrests at one time. And these sauna backrests can sit upright as shown or lay horizontally for when you want to lay horizontally. These sauna backrests are sturdy easy to clean keep your sauna walls clean create a comfy ergonomic feel as you enjoy your sauna session. … [Read more...]
8’x12′ sauna plans reviewed while sitting on the sauna bench
Two Bench options for your 6'x8' sauna hot room: Either option can work ideally within your 8'x12' sauna building. Advantages of Option A: A longer set of benches: (7'4" long vs. 6' long in option B). Great for laying out and generous space for 3 on upper bench. A more congenial connection to changing room (especially with candle window). Advantages of Option B: Stadium seating allows for continued vista from hot room outside through transom window to outside. Plenty of room on lower bench. A fully extended 24" lower bench, vs a tighter fitting lower bench in option A. Stove is safely tucked in its upright and locked position in the corner, vs. having to pass by the stove to enter/exit in option A. I have built a few saunas with each bench design. Like orange juice with pulp or without, preference varies. But this isn't an opportunity for line extension, more shelf space, and choices to drive you crazy. This is an opportunity to make a decision on … [Read more...]
Tips to think about for your own authentic sauna build
NOTE: saunatimes begrudges no one for not applying any of the following sauna building tips to their sauna. A working sauna is better than no sauna. 1. A separate structure. Worthy of retreat. Not a converted closet or carved out corner in the basement. 2. An ample size changing room. A wonderful hang out space. Grocery stores have double doors for a reason. Freezing outside temperatures are not meant to come in contact with wonderfully hot steamy sauna air. Close the door! 3. A changing room bench. Not just for sauna use, but you can escape from the busy world and hang out in your changing room and read. 4. A well sized hot room. Finlanders use 10 cubic meters as a rule of thumb. A 6'x8' or 7'x7' hot room is an ideal size. 7' tall ceilings for sure. 5. 24" wide sauna benches. Yes, you can make them more narrow, butt you will notice. 6. Trim it nICE. 7. A kick ass sauna stove. There are lame stoves and there are great sauna stoves. … [Read more...]
Top 3 sauna building breaches and how to fix them
I've built a dozen saunas have helped many dozens build their own. Not those indoor closet saunas made out of 2x2's, but authentic saunas. Saunas that while looking up at the moon between rounds you say out loud: "shit, I can't believe how good this feels" type saunas. And another thing, I've sat in another 100 or so saunas and can't help analyzing and critiquing. I love saunas, and I enjoy learning and sharing new ways to build better saunas. Yes, I know, I am a nut. "What are the most common mistakes people make when building their own sauna?" I am burning with optimism's flames: If you are building a sauna - Please take these into consideration. If you've already built a sauna - I can help you fix any of these. 1. Lame benches. Sauna benches should 24" wide. They should be built stout, solid, with dimensional cedar. Also, there's some consideration to how to support your sauna benches. Don't allow yourself to feel compromised. Whilst sitting on a sauna bench, … [Read more...]
Another hotel sauna thrown under the bus.
8' ceiling. No upper bench. I was revved up for a salesman-on-the-road hotel sauna, but luckily I followed hotel sauna procedure and checked out the sauna before going to my hotel room. Instead of this lame ass sauna, I went to bed dreaming of my own authentic backyard sauna awaiting me back home. Is this how Yoga instructors feel when they walk by a class and see people standing on their heads straining themselves? "If only they could experience authentic Yoga!" … [Read more...]
Sauna benches of 1,000 saunas
After a recent flurry of sauna bench construction for others, there I sat in my backyard outdoor sauna thinking "why don't I change out my sauna benches?" Like the cobbler's kids having holes in their shoes, I was thinking "man, these are lame." In fairness, they worked great for 10 years. They showed a bit of novice design and construction, but it was time. So I built new benches and a week later, there we sat, my friend Kirt and I, admiring the upgrade advantages: 2x4's. More stout bench density. Wider. A 24" wide sauna bench, at least upper bench, is an ideal width. No legs. The stout construction of my improved bench system means no supports needed down to the floor. This sleek design makes it easier to clean the sauna and allows the lower bench to slide in and out, tucking under for more standing room or pulling out for more sitting space. Before exiting the hot room, Kirt, of Finnish decent and demeanor, summed it up: "you got a thousand saunas out of those … [Read more...]