Outdoor Sauna Buyer's Guide

The best-suited sauna for you will depend entirely on how you intend to use it. The first and most important consideration should be the size of your available space (see below) and how many people will regularly use the sauna. From there, you can think about design, specifications, and overall cost. 

For example, a small, basic sauna may be all you need if you plan to use it alone or with one other person, however, if you’re a larger household or plan on using the sauna for socialising, a more spacious sauna with a veranda or changing room would easily suit your and your friends' needs.

Once you’ve determined who will be using the sauna, you can begin to think about additional extras such as areas to store towels and belongings, as well as other perks and features you can add to your outdoor area.

It’s also worth checking where the sauna will sit in relation to your home. If it’s in very close range of your home, then a changing room or additional area will not be necessary; however, a secluded position may create a need for additional space whilst offering a greater sense of privacy. 

Electric and wood-fired heaters offer entirely different experiences, whether it be their aesthetic or the running costs. Electric heaters are convenient, easy to control and can typically heat the sauna within 30 minutes. Wood heaters don’t require any electricity and require a steady flow of fuel, ash management, and suitable ventilation.

The most significant difference between the two is maintenance, as electric heaters must be professionally installed and require a mains connection, whereas wood saunas require a suitable chimney, consistent cleaning, and a safe supply of firewood.

The best model will depend on your preferences, available utilities, and how you wish to use your sauna. For a more detailed comparison, take a look at our Wood-Fired vs Electric Sauna Guide.

Outdoor saunas do not typically require planning permission due to their classification as an outbuilding; however, restrictions can still apply, so we recommend contacting your local authority before purchasing a sauna to confirm that you meet the relevant requirements.

Under permitted development rules, the building needs to be used for domestic purposes and not take up more than 50% of the available outdoor space. If it’s also 2 metres within a boundary, the maximum height of the building is typically 2.5 metres. Additional restrictions may apply to listed buildings and conservation areas also. 

The cost of an outdoor sauna will depend on its specifications, design, heating system, and any additional features, yet the biggest influence on cost will be the size of the sauna, with a smaller 2-person sauna costing significantly less than a larger 8-person sauna.

When budgeting or assessing the cost of a sauna, Waltons recommends considering all aspects of the installation, from the initial assessment of the land and base requirements, to the final furnishings and running costs. By considering all stages, you create a more accurate budget and avoid any unexpected costs. 

All outdoor saunas require maintenance; however, the model and heating type of your sauna will dictate the frequency and type of maintenance that’s required.

All saunas, regardless of their model, require a high-quality, suitable wood treatment that’s applied when necessary or annually (depending on the manufacturer's advice or maintenance schedule). This helps to maintain the quality and strength of the wood, ensuring many more years of use from your sauna.

Depending on the heating type of your sauna, the maintenance will vary. For electric-heated saunas, there is very minimal internal maintenance, requiring you to keep the interior clean and tidy, as well as doing regular checks on the doors, windows, and joints to ensure structural integrity. For wood-fired saunas, there is more cleaning and maintenance required, including ash removal and chimney checks, as well as frequent structural checks.