Home Made Sauna

21/05/2026

We get asked this every week: how much does it actually cost to build a backyard sauna?

So we did the work properly. We took the Sauna F***g - our smallest design - and priced out every single line item at real 2026 US retail prices. 15 categories. No guesswork.

Here's the short version:
Materials: $8,000–$17,400
All-in (incl. electrician): $10,000–$19,000

But the honest answer depends on where you live, how you source materials, and which decisions you make along the way. The full breakdown - with every line item is in our latest guide. Link in bio.

And if you want to calculate the exact cost for your build - we'll send you the Excel materials worksheet. Just send us a message and it's yours. Interested in a different sauna design? Write us.

21/04/2026

"Wojciech’s design work, his Sauna Handbook, and his on-going support during our build were exceptional. We were able to easily modify the design to accommodate specifics of our property while maintaining the high-level build quality detailed in Wojciech’s plans. Following the Handbook kept us two steps ahead, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome. Our modified Eevi has become a relaxing retreat where we enjoy the practice of Finish Sauna and Löyly throughout the week.
- Steve and Laura Palagyi, Texas"

Thank you Steve and Laura! We're so glad you're happy and that we could be part of the building process. Enjoy 🧡

If you've built from one of our plans, share your story with us. Email us at [email protected] or tag . 🧡

29/03/2026

How to start? Build #5

🔸️ Is DIY a possibility, or will you get a contractor?
Take a realistic look at your skills, and your tools. Do you have what it takes? A sauna has a medium level of project difficulty for an average person. I recommend having at least one person with some construction experience helping you. It makes the whole process a lot less frustrating and much faster. We’ve also had customers with zero construction experience who successfully built their sauna with our plans, so don’t get discouraged.

🔸️Do you need planning permission?
Check with your local authorities if you need planning permission. In most countries, you do not need permission if your sauna is under specific size. In many US states its 200sqft, but make sure to check your local planning rules. If in doubt, speak to a local architect. If the authorities are very strict, you can get creative and build a mobile sauna.

🔸️What style do you want your sauna to have?
It’s best to reference local traditional architecture if you don’t have your own preference. If you like a particular style, then, of course, go with it. Possibilities are: modern, Scandinavian, traditional log building, Japanese, and minimalist. If you want a custom design, reach out to us!

Is anything missing? Let us know below!
In our next series, we’ll be covering sauna layouts and sizes. See you there!

17/03/2026

Love the Design, but Short on Time?
Let Yuki Build It for You.

​We know that many of you love our Home Made Sauna designs but simply don't have the time or tools to build them yourselves. That’s exactly why we created Yuki.

​Your Dream Sauna, Stress-Free
​If you’ve found your perfect sauna design on our site but want to skip the construction work, Yuki will build it for you. You get the same design, delivered as a finished, professional masterpiece.

​Discover Yuki’s Ready-to-Order Models
​Yuki offers its own collection of premium, ready-made sauna models. These are our most refined designs, crafted for those who want premium saunas without the wait.

​Now Available Across Europe
​We are proud to offer our professional construction and delivery services to customers throughout Europe.

​Don't let a busy schedule stop you from having your dream sauna. Visit Yuki to see our finished models and get started!

Go to 👉 www.yukisauna.com

17/03/2026

We built a $110 sauna controller with a Raspberry Pi (full build guide)

We run a rental sauna (Huum Drop 9kW, 10-15 bookings per week). For the first few months, managing it meant checking the heater manually, guessing preheat times, and hoping nobody left the door open.

So I built a control system with a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W.

What it does:
- Reads sauna temperature via DS18B20 sensor
- Controls the heater through a relay + 3-phase SSR
- Calculates preheat time based on a real heating curve (logged over 6 months)
- Turns the heater on automatically before bookings
- Sends alerts when something's off (20 rules - temperature dropping, heater on too long, door open, etc.)
- Manages bookings, lights, and maintenance - all from a phone

Total hardware cost: under $110. A Pi, a temperature sensor, a relay module, reed switches, a presence detector, SD card, power supply, and some wires.

The full write-up covers the wiring diagram, component list with links, the power chain (Pi alone can't switch a 9kW heater - you need an SSR), 5 safety layers, and what went wrong along the way.

You do need a patient electrician for the high-voltage side, though. That part is harder to buy on Amazon :)

Full article with photos and wiring diagram:
https://homemadesauna.com/blogs/news/how-i-built-a-smart-sauna-controller-with-a-raspberry-pi

01/03/2026

What wood to use for the exterior of a sauna.

The external wood or siding needs to have different properties than the internal wood because it is exposed to a much harsher environment. Strong sun, dry weather, lashing rain for weeks at a time, and snowy winters—all these make for a harsh environment for wood.

​Good external timber must be resistant to shrinkage, mold, fungi, and decay. Larch is an excellent choice for external siding. It is durable and has a high resin content, which makes it last much longer outside than other types of timber. It is a fairly common wood type, which is why I like to use it.

​Wood that is to be used outside can also be treated to make it more durable. There is a process called thermal modification, which improves wood's physical properties, making it extremely durable.

In short: wood is kiln-dried with high temperature, pressure, and steam. It takes on a beautiful, deep caramel or chocolate tone, as well as great moisture and mold resistance and dimensional stability.

​Shou Sugi Ban is another technique that makes the wood much more durable. It is a Japanese technique of using fire to burn the outer layer of timber, making it resistant to insects and weather.

​You’ve picked your materials, but who is going to build it? In the 4th part of this series, we will talk about the building process: DIY vs. contractors. See you there!

15/02/2026

"I wanted to share the finished product! I completed my EEVI sauna last fall. It took me about 7 months, working only weekends. Thanks for the plans and providing great advice. This is an "off grid" sauna in the woods, so I needed to carry all the materials about 300 meters into the woods!

Best Regards,
Adam"

Thank you Adam for sharing the photos! It's a pleasure to see our designs brought to life so beautifully! We hope that every session provides you with a truly relaxing experience and a perfect space for rest!

Ready to create your own home spa? Check out our sauna designs and find the perfect one for you.

05/02/2026

What is the best material to use for sauna insulation?

👉 Mineral Wool

It is superior in price and performance to other insulating materials. The insulation thickness is chosen based on the thickness of the wall studs.
Generally, a 4” or 100mm thick insulation is adequate for most locations. If you live in a cold climate, consider 6” (150 mm) studs and insulation.

Do not use Expanded Polystyrene Foam (Styrofoam) under any circumstances. It is not made to withstand the high temperatures of a sauna and can cause off-gassing of harmful chemicals. One exception to this would be the sauna floor. The floor sees much lower temperatures than walls or ceiling. The risk of off-gassing is much smaller because of this.

Insulation is measured with R-values in North America and U-values in the Metric system. In residential construction, the insulation thickness is determined
by the climate zone where the building is constructed.
Mineral wool has an R-value of about 4 per inch, so 3 ½” (9 cm) mineral wool will have an R-value of about 14.

Is this sufficient? In my opinion, it is, if you are a casual sauna user and use it only a couple of times a week. For the ceiling, I like to install a 3 ½” or 4” (10 cm) inch mineral wool insulation between the ceiling joists and then another layer that goes perpendicular to the first layer. This gives us a total of R32.

What about climate zones? If you live in climate zone 7 or plan to use your sauna commercially, I will consider bumping up the R-value to about 22. A 2x6 wall with mineral wool in the studs will satisfy this.

Don’t overthink the insulation. We are not building an energy efficient home that will need a Passive House Certificate, so we do not have to stress about it too much. Sure, your sauna will not be super-insulated, and you will spend a couple of dollars more in energy costs. At the same time, we should keep in mind the point of diminishing returns - after a certain point, the investment made will not yield big enough returns to justify it. I believe a standard 2x4 with 16” (40 cm) on center studs and 4” (10 cm) of mineral wool insulation is exactly that - entirely sufficient.

If you wish to read more about the insulation, on our blog there is an article about it.

20/01/2026

Have you ever wondered how a small custom sauna is designed? In the video below, I briefly show my architectural design process. From a blank page, to construction ready drawings. Saunas are perfect human scale, rich with detail, experiences, material qualities and elements. A perfect blend of architecture and wellness.

If you want to see my designs, check out www.homemadesauna.com, and
www.yukisauna.com 🙂

Yuki Sauna

https://youtu.be/aiylml7rQkU?si=ZkdMOKDiouJmxq54

My name is Wojciech Kumik, I am an architect who specialises in saunas. Since 2021, I have been designing saunas and assisting in their construction. In this...

04/01/2026

We would like to thank everyone for 2025! 💫

✨️ 2025 in numbers
🔸️Over 300 customers
🔸️Countless emails and enquiries 😊
🔸️The creation of the new Yuki Sauna brand ig:yuki__sauna

This year, we will focus on adding more videos in which we will discuss the most important topics related to building your own sauna. We plan to publish an improved version of our ebook and its Polish language version.

Stay with us for more!

In the new year, we wish everyone a smooth construction process and many relaxing, hot sauna sessions.

👉 What topics would you like us to make videos/articles about?

13/12/2025

Would you like to build a sauna but don't know where to start? Our Sauna Construction Handbook can be a good first step in planning the construction of your dream sauna.

Treat yourself or a loved one for Christmas. The electronic version on our website is now available at a 15% discount until the end of the year. Use ChristmasGift code at the checkout. You can also purchase the physical book on Amazon.

Have any questions? Feel free to contact us.
We are here to help. If you would like to know exactly what the book contains, we have described each chapter on our website.

Link to the book in the bio.