Sauna buying guide
The short answer to indoor vs outdoor sauna: choose indoor if outdoor space is limited, if you want a plug-in infrared cabin, or if you plan short sessions most days. Choose outdoor if you want a larger traditional or wood-fired sauna, a cold-climate bathing routine, or the heat and humidity kept out of the house.
Below, we compare space, installation, delivery and upkeep from manufacturers' documents, and flag where they disagree.
Indoor vs outdoor sauna at a glance
For specific models, see our best indoor saunas and best outdoor saunas guides.
| Factor | Indoor sauna | Outdoor sauna |
|---|---|---|
| Space | Footprint plus clearance; Clearlight's manuals ask for at least 4 in per side | A base at least the size of the footprint, plus access for delivery |
| Heat types we carry | Infrared, traditional electric, hybrid | Infrared, traditional electric, wood-fired |
| Installation work | Level floor, panel assembly, then plug in or have the heater wired | Level, drained base, then a kit build or a crane or forklift placement |
| Electrical | Smaller Clearlight cabins use a 120V household outlet; traditional heaters are connected by an electrician | A circuit run to the yard; Dundalk LeisureCraft, SaunaLife and ThermaSol require a licensed or certified electrician |
| Moisture and air | Traditional rooms need a planned inlet and exhaust; Clearlight cabins have ceiling vents | Keep the wood off the ground and drain roof runoff |
| Weather and heat-up | Clearlight's FAQ suggests a 10- to 15-minute preheat; its Sanctuary 5 manual says 20 to 30 | Clearlight says cold slows infrared warm-up; Harvia says it can trip the overheat protector on mechanical-timer heaters |
| Maintenance | Interior care; no lacquer inside (Harvia) | Interior care plus exterior finish and, on some barrels, band retightening |
| Delivery | Panels that two people assemble in the room | Flat-packed kits, or finished cabins by flatbed and crane or forklift |
| Examples we carry | Clearlight Sanctuary and Premier, Auroom kits, ThermaSol Astra, Dundalk LeisureCraft CT Element, Finnmark FD-4 and FD-5 | Clearlight Sanctuary Outdoor, Dundalk LeisureCraft barrels, SaunaLife, Auroom Garda, Iglucraft, Haljas Hele Nano, ThermaSol Fortis |
Indoor saunas: placement, floors, air and power
Indoor sauna requirements come down to the room, the floor, air, clearance and power.
Where an indoor sauna fits
Clearlight names bedrooms, bathrooms, basements, garages, attics and dedicated wellness rooms as suitable spots; a home gym can work too if it has a level floor, room for clearance and the right outlet. Clearlight describes its saunas as "freestanding units that should not be built into structures." Our basement sauna and garage sauna guides cover those spaces.
Floors and moisture
ThermaSol says its indoor cabins sit on level, water-resistant flooring such as concrete, ceramic tile, vinyl or laminate; the custom-cut sauna manual on ThermaSol's site rules out carpet; and Clearlight's Sanctuary 5 manual says to check the floor with a level. Weights vary: Clearlight lists the Sanctuary 2 at 450 lb, while our listing for ThermaSol's traditional Astra gives about 1,323 lb assembled, so have a contractor check a framed floor.
Ventilation: traditional rooms vs infrared cabins
Harvia recommends six air changes per hour in a traditional sauna and, with an electric heater and natural ventilation, an inlet below or beside the heater and an exhaust near the floor, far from the heater. HUUM puts the exhaust on the opposite wall, no more than about 24 in (60 cm) up. The custom-cut manual on ThermaSol's site vents the room through an interior wall, never outdoors, so the exhaust air stays in the house.
For infrared cabins, Clearlight's manuals say the ceiling vents can be opened for fresh air, and its Sanctuary 5 manual adds that opening the door slightly is fine. We found no other Clearlight guidance on room ventilation.
Clearances around the cabin
Clearlight's owner's manuals ask for at least 4 inches on all sides for airflow and access to the power cord; its FAQ and Sanctuary 2 page give 2 inches in an enclosed space, and the FAQ adds 12 inches above the roof. Plan for 4 inches unless your model's manual says otherwise. Traditional heaters set their own distances (Harvia).
Electrical: plug-in infrared vs hard-wired heaters
Clearlight's cabins plug in. The Sanctuary 1, Premier IS-1 and Premier IS-2 use a standard 120V, 15-amp outlet; the Sanctuary 2 and Premier IS-3 need a 120V, 20-amp outlet; the larger Sanctuary models and both outdoor cabins need 240V. Clearlight's Sanctuary 5 manual recommends a dedicated circuit and no extension cord, and Clearlight says "some models may require a licensed electrician".
Traditional heaters are connected by a professional: ThermaSol requires a licensed electrician, HUUM's North American DROP manual a certified one, and Harvia an authorized electrical professional.
GFCI is a point where instructions differ. Clearlight strongly recommends GFCI protection for its cabins in potentially wet locations, but Dundalk LeisureCraft's barrel manuals say not to use a GFI breaker on the heater circuit, and HUUM recommends connecting its DROP heater without one. Your electrician and inspector decide.
Plug-in infrared cabins vs indoor traditional kits
Clearlight's Sanctuary and Premier cabins come in eco-certified mahogany or basswood (Clearlight's term), assemble from panels in 1 to 3 hours with two people by Clearlight's estimate, and plug in. Clearlight's FAQ suggests a 10- to 15-minute preheat, though its Sanctuary 5 manual says 20 to 30 minutes.
An indoor traditional sauna adds an electrician-connected heater, often bought separately. Auroom's indoor kits seat one to six and, per our listings, take two people 3 to 6 hours on several models; ThermaSol says two people assemble its Aalto, Astra and Lumaria panels in a few hours; and Dundalk LeisureCraft's CT Element is a panelized kit for one to four. No traditional sauna listing or manual we reviewed gives a warm-up time.
Outdoor saunas: foundation, power and permits
The outdoor sauna pros and cons in brief: room for a larger traditional or wood-fired sauna, with its heat and moisture kept out of the house, in exchange for a foundation, a longer electrical run, weather exposure and exterior upkeep. Our backyard sauna setup guide covers the plunge, seating and changing space around an outdoor sauna, and our outdoor shower guide covers adding a rinse shower.
Outdoor sauna foundation options by brand
Every maker we reviewed wants the sauna level and drained; materials differ.
Raising the sauna protects the wood; Clearlight warns that ground moisture can wick up through wooden feet. The USDA Wood Handbook notes that untreated sapwood of essentially all species has low decay resistance and that heat-treated wood, common in the outdoor saunas we carry, is not recommended for ground contact. Its 2021 edition describes the heartwood of northern white-cedar, the eastern white cedar in Dundalk LeisureCraft's outdoor models, as very decay resistant.
Running power to the yard
Dundalk LeisureCraft requires a licensed electrician for all electrical connections (its Georgian manual says otherwise the warranty is void), SaunaLife's G6 guide a certified electrician, and ThermaSol a licensed electrician or other qualified professional. Clearlight's Sanctuary Outdoor 2 plugs into a 240V outlet (NEMA 6-15P) and the Sanctuary Outdoor 5 needs a 240V, 20-amp circuit, so an electrician may need to add the receptacle. Most outdoor kits and cabins we carry ship without a heater, so the circuit is sized to the heater you choose.
Not sure whether your space suits indoor or outdoor?
Send us your room or yard dimensions and electrical service, and a specialist will reply with current pricing on models that fit.
Get PricingPermits and codes
The National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) has been adopted in all 50 states, according to FEMA training material and the Building America Solution Center, though editions and amendments vary locally. In Washington State, for example, the Department of Labor & Industries says an electrical permit is required for most electrical work. We found no US government guidance on permits for residential saunas specifically, so ask your building department. Our CT Elation listing advises checking local permit requirements for outbuildings and solid-fuel appliances before you order.
Outdoor saunas in all weather: wood care, cold and barrels
Exterior wood care by brand
Cold weather, roofs and snow
Our listings for the Sanctuary Outdoor 2 and 5 say they are not for use below 40°F (4°C) ambient; Clearlight's product pages do not state that limit. Clearlight's general FAQ on outdoor use advises against putting a sauna outside where temperatures drop below 40°F; it says only about 20% of its heaters' output warms the air, so in the cold the cabin is much slower to heat and stays cooler. Clearlight does not say whether this applies to its purpose-built outdoor models, whose manual only advises avoiding excessive rain and wind, so ask us to confirm for a cold climate, and see our Clearlight outdoor sauna guide.
For traditional saunas, Harvia says heaters with a mechanical timer switch can trip their overheat protector below about 23°F (-5°C) and are not recommended for an unheated outdoor sauna that freezes; it prefers electronically controlled wall-mounted heaters. Drain roof runoff away from the base, as ThermaSol advises, and keep snow off the exterior, a condition in Clearlight's 2019 warranty terms.
Barrel sauna specifics
Dundalk LeisureCraft's Serenity manual calls minor water seepage into an outdoor barrel "expected and normal," a result of porous wood and the ball-and-socket staves. Its Cedar Barrel manual asks owners to retighten the bands about a month after first use and every six months after that. See our best barrel saunas guide or browse barrel saunas.
Confirm warranty terms before you build the base. As listed: Dundalk LeisureCraft, 5-year limited for normal residential use, excluding improper installation; SaunaLife, limited lifetime; Auroom, 2 years; Clearlight, limited lifetime residential and 5 years in a commercial location, though its Sanctuary Outdoor 2 specifications give lifetime coverage on components and 5 years on the cabin. Clearlight's 2019 outdoor manual extends coverage to outdoor use when the specified cover is bought with the sauna and kept on. Ask us to confirm coverage for your model and site.
Sauna kit vs pre-assembled: who builds it
A sauna arrives as a kit, partly built, or prebuilt; you trade your labor against equipment and site access on delivery day.
DIY kits
Partially and fully assembled saunas
A prebuilt sauna removes the build, not the site work.
Who should choose which
Choose a kit if you can give it a few hours to two days or if delivery equipment cannot reach the site; choose a prebuilt sauna if a crane or forklift can reach the base and you want it ready soon after delivery. Browse ready-to-use saunas, or see our installations page.
Heat type and location
What drives the total cost
Six items beyond the sauna move the total; our sauna cost guide and electricity cost guide go further.
Which to choose: five common situations
Frequently asked questions
Is an outdoor sauna worth it in a cold climate?
It can be, with heat that suits the cold. Harvia advises against mechanical-timer heaters in unheated saunas that freeze, and wood heat is another route. For infrared, Clearlight's FAQ advises against outdoor placement below 40°F, so confirm the Sanctuary Outdoor limit with us.
Do I need a permit for a backyard sauna?
It depends on where you live. Washington State, for example, requires an electrical permit for most electrical work; rules for the structure and for wood stoves are local, so ask your building department before ordering.
Can an outdoor sauna sit on pavers or gravel?
Depending on the brand, yes. Dundalk LeisureCraft lists crushed stone and pavers, and ThermaSol's Fortis page lists pavers and compacted gravel, though its placement guide prefers a 6-inch slab. SaunaLife recommends blocks or strips over compressed gravel for the G6; Clearlight's 2019 outdoor manual calls for a flat, level, hardtop surface with adequate drainage.
Can I put an infrared sauna outside?
Yes. Clearlight's Sanctuary Outdoor 2 and 5 are built for it, and Clearlight says any of its models can go outside with its optional waterproof cover, raised on a deck or concrete pavers. Its FAQ advises against outdoor placement below 40°F.
How long does a sauna kit take to assemble?
With two people, Clearlight says 1 to 3 hours and ThermaSol a few hours for its indoor cabins, and our listings give 3 to 6 hours for several Auroom kits and one to two days for most SaunaLife kits. Dundalk LeisureCraft states no time. Foundation and electrical work come on top.
What does fully assembled delivery involve?
A flatbed, a lift and a ready site. For ThermaSol's cabins, the buyer books the crane or forklift, the path must be clear and the base finished, and an electrician connects the heater. SaunaLife says the G6's final assembly is organized by the client. Prebuilt weights in this guide run from about 2,000 lb to 5,200 lb.
Does an indoor sauna need ventilation?
A traditional one does: Harvia and HUUM call for about six air changes per hour through a planned inlet and exhaust. For its infrared cabins, Clearlight's manuals say the ceiling vents can be opened for fresh air and ask for clearance around the cabin so air can circulate.
Get pricing on an indoor or outdoor sauna
Tell us where the sauna will go, your space and power, and whether you prefer a kit or a prebuilt sauna, and a specialist will reply with current pricing and delivery details.
Request pricingBrowse our indoor saunas and outdoor saunas side by side.
Clearlight, Sanctuary and Premier are trademarks of Sauna Works, Inc., dba Clearlight Infrared. Sauna Republic is an authorized Clearlight dealer. Dundalk LeisureCraft, SaunaLife, Auroom, ThermaSol, Iglucraft, Haljas Houses, Finnmark, Harvia and HUUM are trademarks of their respective owners. Installation and electrical requirements vary by model and location; follow the manufacturer's manual and use a licensed electrician where required.
