Basement Finishing: How to Build a Basement Sauna

A basement sauna is not only a relaxing and healthy way to spend a few moments of leisure time, but you can enjoy the experience within the walls of your own home. Enjoy your sauna with guests or members of your family. What's more, you can build your own basement sauna and save a bundle. All you will need are a few basic tools, materials, the desire and patience to see the project through, and a set of helpful instructions. Here's how to do it.

Step 1 – Planning Your Sauna

Your sauna will need walls, so plan to build it in a corner where you already have two walls. this will save you on time and material. If you're interested in reducing costs for heating, for material, and saving time and work, plan to make the sauna small enough that it will still meet your needs.

Step 2 – Framing your Sauna Wall

Even though you'll have two walls already in place (the basement foundation walls), if you build your sauna in a corner, plan to frame all of your walls, including the foundation walls which will create a 4-inch space between your sauna wall and the exterior concrete wall. In addition, when you hang your sauna door, build the door frame with a 4-inch space between the door's bottom edge and the basement floor.   

Step 3 – Installing Your Heater Power Lines

Decide in advance the size heater you'll be installing. If you have a smaller sauna, you might get by with one that operates with 120 volts. To heat a larger space, you will probably want one with 240 volts of power. Whichever heater you choose, you'll need to run the proper power line for your heater. If you can run this power line yourself, this is the time to do it. If you prefer hiring an electrician to run it, be sure to let him know what voltage you'd like to plan for.

Step 4 – Installing your Sauna Walls

For the inside surface of your sauna walls, install ½-inch plywood. This should include both ceiling and floor. Same for the outside walls of your sauna. But here, you can can stain or paint the plywood, or you can install drywall, depending on the look you want.

Step 5 – Install Cedar Wood on Your Interior Walls

On top surface of the plywood, you'll need to attach your cedar boards. But first, use your router or bench saw to create tongue-and-groove edges on these boards. This will allow you to make tighter fits that are more likely to retain heat in your sauna. To attach the cedar boards, use screws that are zinc-plated.

Step 6 – Installing Your Heater

Place your heater either near a corner of the sauna or in the middle of the floor. In buying your heater, be sure its designed for use in a sauna, one that can produce temperatures of 185 degrees F.