A home sauna can be a luxurious addition to your living space, providing relaxation, health benefits, and a private retreat. However, choosing the right size sauna is essential to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience. This guide will help you determine the ideal dimensions for your home sauna, considering various factors and providing practical tips.

Space Availability

The first step in sauna sizing is to assess the available space in your home. Measure the area where you plan to install the sauna, taking into account the height, width, and length of the room. Ensure there’s enough space not only for the sauna itself but also for comfortable movement around it. A cramped sauna can detract from the relaxation and enjoyment experience.

Number of Users

Consider how many people will typically be using the sauna at once. A smaller sauna may suffice for individuals or couples, while a larger sauna can accommodate families or groups of friends. The number of users will directly influence the required space.

Desired Features

Saunas come in various configurations with additional features that may affect the overall size. For example, saunas with built-in benches, windows, or sound systems may require more space than basic models. Think about the features you desire and how they will impact the overall dimensions.

Budget

Saunas come in a wide range of sizes, and larger models may be more expensive. Set a budget before starting your search to ensure you choose a sauna that fits both your space and financial constraints.

Sizing Guidelines

While there are general guidelines for sauna sizing, the ideal dimensions may vary depending on your specific needs and preferences. Here are some starting points:

• Individual Saunas: For a single person, a sauna measuring approximately 4′ x 4′ or 5′ x 5′ is typically sufficient. This compact size offers a private and intimate experience.
• Couple’s Saunas: For two people, a sauna measuring around 6′ x 6′ or 7′ x 7′ is a good option. This size provides ample space for couples to relax together comfortably.
• Family Saunas: If you plan to use the sauna with your family or friends, consider a larger size like 8′ x 8′ or even 10′ x 10′. These dimensions can accommodate multiple people without feeling cramped.

Additional Tips for Correct Sauna Sizing

To ensure a comfortable and enjoyable sauna experience, consider these additional factors:

Door Size

The size of the sauna door is important for easy access. If you or anyone who will be using the sauna has mobility limitations, such as using a wheelchair or crutches, a wider door will be necessary. A door that is too narrow can make it difficult to enter and exit the sauna safely.

Height

The height of the sauna is also a factor to consider. Ensure the sauna is tall enough to accommodate the tallest person who will be using it. A sauna that is too low can be uncomfortable and may restrict movement.

Interior Layout

Think about the layout of the sauna interior. Traditional saunas often feature a bench-style layout, with a long bench running along one or more walls. However, modern saunas may offer more diverse seating options, such as individual chairs or loungers. Consider your personal preferences and the number of people who will be using the sauna to determine the most suitable layout.

By carefully considering these factors and following these guidelines, you can choose the perfect size sauna for your home and enjoy the many benefits it offers.

Related Sauna Articles

Are you considering adding a sauna to your home but unsure whether to install it indoors or outdoors? The decision between an indoor or outdoor sauna can significantly impact your sauna experience, so it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of each option.

Both indoor and outdoor saunas have their own charm and distinct advantages, but ultimately, the ideal location depends on your lifestyle, available space, and personal preferences. This guide takes a look at the differences between indoor and outdoor saunas, equipping you with the knowledge to make an informed decision.

Indoor Saunas: Convenience and Control

For those who prioritize ease of access and year-round use, indoor saunas hold the upper hand. Here’s a closer look at their pros and cons:

Outdoor Saunas: Nature’s Embrace

Imagine stepping out of your steamy sauna into a cool breeze, gazing at the starry night sky. Outdoor saunas offer a unique immersion in nature, adding another dimension to your sauna experience. Let’s explore their pros and cons:

Additional Factors to Consider

Before making your final decision, be sure to carefully weigh these additional factors:

• Budget: Both indoor and outdoor saunas require an investment, but outdoor installations may involve additional costs for permits, foundations, and weatherproofing.
• Lifestyle: If you crave year-round access and convenience, an indoor sauna might be ideal. If you value spaciousness and enjoy connecting with nature, an outdoor sauna could be perfect.
• Maintenance: Consider your comfort level with ongoing maintenance requirements, including cleaning and seasonal upkeep.

Ultimately, the choice between an indoor and outdoor sauna is personal. Weigh the pros and cons based on your specific needs, desires, and environment. Don’t hesitate to consult with sauna experts or visit showrooms to experience both options and make an informed decision.

Bonus Tip: Consider your future plans. If you envision moving or expanding your home, choose a location that offers flexibility or easy relocation possibilities.

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There has never been a better time to own a sauna! Having your very own personal sauna gives you a convenient 24/7 health and wellness retreat right in your home. If you want the quickest and best overview possible on why and how to buy a sauna, you’ve come to the right place! So, let’s take a look at our top 10 sauna buying tips now.

1. Learn the Difference Between Traditional Saunas and Infrared Saunas!

The best way to kick off this home sauna buyer’s guide is to make sure you understand the dynamic differences between traditional saunas and infrared saunas, as they use different technology to deliver the ultimate sauna experience. While you can check out our Traditional vs. Infrared Saunas Guide: What’s Right for You? , here’s a quick tutorial right here:

If you enjoy steam in the sauna, higher temperatures, and a more social environment, then a traditional sauna may be the best sauna for you.

These saunas can be indoor or outdoor. Here are some other quick facts about traditional saunas:

• The median temperature is between 165-180 degrees Fahrenheit
• Traditional saunas heat the air to heat the body
• Heat and humidity: Very dry until water is sprinkled over hot rocks. Both temperature and humidity are adjustable (by adding water to rocks); you can also incorporate essential oils into the water for aromatherapy.
• It requires 30-40 minutes to preheat rocks before use
• Proper ventilation will be required
• Bathers enjoy 10-15 minutes – optimal time for use

If you prefer lower temperatures but with body-penetrating heat, an infrared sauna may be your best sauna choice.

These saunas are designed for indoor use only. Here are some other quick facts about infrared saunas:

• Optimum temperature between 125-130 degrees Fahrenheit
• Infrared saunas directly heat your body. The infrared energy penetrates the body and raises the core temperature – activating a more pronounced sweating. The EMR (electromagnetic radiation) and EF (electrical field) on some models that utilize certain technology are lower than the ambient in your home. The EMR and EF levels are far below even Sweden’s toughest radiation standards.
• Heat and humidity: Relatively dry with average humidity. Temperature is controllable; humidity is not.
• No pre-heat time required
• Since water isn’t used with an infrared sauna, there’s no concern about ventilation. It’s a completely dry heat that maxes out at 150 degrees. 
• 10-15 minutes is optimal time for use, but bathers often stay 25-30 minutes (due to lower temperatures).

2. Explore the World of Sauna Ownership Benefits and the Many Health and Wellness Benefits!

For its small footprint, the sauna packs a huge punch when it comes to its many benefits – especially if you use your sauna on a regular (or daily) basis which is pretty much the easiest job there is!

Since there is so much detail in the world of sauna benefits, we encourage you to check out two of our resource guides:

• 6 key benefits of having a home sauna: Not only do you have 24/7 access to the ultimate wellness retreat, you can also enjoy an escape from stressful reality, gain the best fitness ally, and enjoy a social oasis with friends and family – all at an affordable cost and easy maintenance.
• 10 amazing health benefits of saunas: Sauna health benefits range from cardiovascular health, mental health, pain management, powerful detoxification, immunity boosting, weight maintenance, better skin, better sleep, and the prevention/management of many health conditions and ailments.

3. Decide Where It Will Go (Indoor Vs. Outdoor)

As we mentioned earlier, infrared saunas are designed for indoor use only. However, if you are looking for a traditional sauna that can be an outdoor sauna, you are in luck! There are several outdoor sauna options (from saunas that can also act as pool houses to outdoor sauna barrels) and you can learn about these options on our Home Sauna Size page.

4. Maximize Your Existing Space for A 24/7 Accessible Sauna Oasis

Outdoors or indoors: you can create your own dream sauna space. What is feeling right for you?

• Outdoor, traditional saunas: Complimented to your housing style, a traditional sauna is perfect on an outdoor patio or near your outdoor swim spa.
• Indoor (traditional or infrared) saunas: You can create a personal spa in a wide-open basement, transform the “extra room” (i.e., if your kiddo just went off to college) into a sauna room, or even renovate an existing closet space into a sauna oasis.

Check out our Home Sauna Size page for some sample dimensions and options.

5. Finalize the Preferences of Your Sauna

As one of the best sauna-buying tips, remember that the best sauna is the sauna that you will use the most. So, think about what you most want in terms of:

• Sauna size
• Sauna seating capacity
• Sauna features
• Customizable options (from wood, to doors, to accessories)

While our Home Sauna Size guide can help, you’ll want to rely on your local sauna dealer to ensure that you get exactly what you want in your dream sauna!

6. Establish Your Sauna Budget

The sauna price range will be totally dependent on the sauna make and model, and accessories that you choose. As a very general category range, you can spend anywhere from:

• $6,000 to $11,000+ depending on size and payment method for traditional saunas
• $4,400 to $9,000+ depending on size and payment method for Infrared saunas
• Low, ongoing energy costs: For most families, the cost to run an in-home sauna is less than the typical cost to run a washer and dryer!

You can learn more on our sauna costs page but be sure to talk with your local sauna dealer about specific costs and financing options. They can help make sure you get the sauna you’ll love for years to come.

7. Find A Reputable Sauna Dealer

Since this sauna purchase is an important investment, find the right local sauna dealer. Make sure they have been in business for a long time, have good customer reviews, are fully knowledgeable about saunas and all their components, are available for hands-on training, offer post-purchase questions and assistance, and are focused on finding you the right sauna over simply making a sale.

8. Test Out the Saunas!

Especially if you are still on the fence between buying a traditional or infrared sauna, go test them out to see which sauna experience feels right for you! If you find one you love, work with your local sauna dealer for all the details and next steps.

9. Finalize the Details of Your Sauna Purchase—And Ensure Installation Day Is A Breeze

It’s time to lock it all up! Finalize your payment details, warranty plans, and installation details with your local sauna dealer. These are super easy to install and to get up and running right away, so work with your dealer on putting the big day on the calendar!

10. Maintain Your Sauna (With Just Minutes of Maintenance!)

It’s shocking how little time you need to maintain your sauna! Basically, keep the wood clean and wipe down the sauna floor occasionally. Seriously – that’s it. Feel free to check out our super easy maintenance checklist but just know the time you’ll spend enjoying your sauna far outweighs this effortless maintenance – by a lot!

Were These Tips for Buying A Sauna What You Needed? Ready for Your Sauna?

At Mainely Tubs, we are here for you throughout the entire process—from initial consideration, to sauna comparisons, to delivery day. First, check out our helpful Home Sauna Size Guide. Then, when you are ready, give us a call, email us, or pop by our showrooms in Scarborough, Maine or Rye, New Hampshire. We’re always happy to help you make the first steps to becoming a new sauna owner!

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If you have made the decision to become a sauna owner (congrats!) and you have moved into the logistics phase of planning, we are guessing these are your top next questions:

We will give you a complete sauna size guide in a moment, but first, do you know exactly what type of sauna you are shopping for? If you weren’t aware, there are two different sauna types.  Let’s start here first!

Traditional vs. Infrared Saunas

We have a comprehensive side-by-side comparison illustrating all the many differences between traditional and infrared saunas, but we’ll give you the top line right here:

If you enjoy steam in the sauna, higher temperatures, and a more social environment, then a traditional sauna may be the best sauna for you.

These saunas can be indoor or outdoor. Here are some other quick facts about traditional saunas:

• The median temperature is between 165-180 degrees Fahrenheit
• Traditional saunas heat the air to heat the body
• Heat and humidity: Very dry until water is sprinkled over hot rocks. Both temperature and humidity are adjustable (by adding water to rocks); you can also incorporate essential oils into the water for aromatherapy.
• It requires 30-40 minutes to preheat rocks before use
• Proper ventilation will be required
• Bathers enjoy 10-15 minutes optimal time for use

If you prefer lower temperatures but with body-penetrating heat, an infrared sauna may be your best sauna choice.

These saunas are designed for indoor use only. Here are some other quick facts about infrared saunas:

• Optimum temperature is between 115-120 degrees Fahrenheit
• Infrared saunas directly heat your body. The infrared energy penetrates the body and raises the core temperature – activating a more pronounced sweating. The EMR (electromagnetic radiation) and EF (electrical field) on some models that utilize certain technology are lower than the ambient in your home. The EMR and EF levels are far below even Sweden’s toughest radiation standards.
• Heat and humidity: Relatively dry with average humidity. Temperature is controllable; humidity is not.
• No pre-heat time required
• Since water isn’t used with an infrared sauna, there’s no concern about ventilation. It’s a completely dry heat that maxes out at 120 degrees. 
• 10-15 minutes is optimal time for use, but bathers often stay 25-30 minutes (due to lower temperatures).

General Sauna Size Dimensions

We’re going to give you specific sauna size dimensions on this page, but here are some very general sauna size notes first:

• The typical traditional sauna is 6 feet by 5 feet, with upper and lower benches, easily enough room for a family of four. Traditional saunas tend to be larger than infrared sauna sizes which require sitting in close proximity to emitters. As a general rule of thumb, traditional saunas tend to be more social, and accommodate bigger groups.
• The minimum permitted ceiling height of any given sauna is 77 inches. Most often, however, an average sauna ceiling height is 84 inches and a maximum safe ceiling height is 96 inches – but be sure to check the numbers for your specific make and model.
• If you plan on laying down in sauna: You’ll need at least 6 feet in one direction, while ceiling space above 7 feet is typically wasted.
• Bench configuration: The goal is always to minimize wasted floor space and maximize bench space for efficiency. Typically, there should be space for both a lower bench and an upper bench. An upper bench area can be used as the main calculation in terms of how many users you’d like to accommodate and it’s smart to factor in about 2’ of bench space per individual sauna bather.
• Space around your sauna: Make sure to leave plenty of room to get in and out of the sauna and to have access behind it for maintenance.
• Indoor saunas: Use a smaller heater, smaller circuit breakers, and provide more efficient heating.
• Outdoor, traditional saunas: You can select the roofing type (i.e. plywood or metal roofing) that compliments your housing style and they’re perfect on an outdoor patio or near your outdoor swim spa.
• Custom-sized saunas: There are options for custom-cut saunas that can easily fit beneath a stairwell, or in a tiny home.
• Indoor placement options: You can create a personal spa in a wide-open basement, transform the “extra room” (i.e., if your kiddo just went off to college) into a sauna room, or even renovate an existing closet space into a sauna oasis.

Your Specific Sauna Size Guide!

Since you are looking for specific size numbers, we listed some actual dimensions below. Just be sure to discuss these options with your local sauna dealer before finalizing your decision:

• Wood options: Saunas can come with high-quality wood options including Nordic Spruce with Abachi benches & accents, clear Western Red Cedar, or Canadian Hemlock. With these options, your sauna keeps its high-end appearance looking brand new, and these wood options are all easy to maintain.
• Door options: Whether you are looking for a bronze-tinted door to match accents in your home, an all-glass door to capture more light, or a Canadian Hemlock door to create more privacy, there are several options in a variety of sizes to create the sauna that looks exactly how you want.
• Traditional sauna accessories: Buckets, ladles, and linens are available to help you create desired steam and humidity level during your experience while protecting your sauna from stains from perspiration.

Now here are the dimensions across both traditional saunas and infrared saunas in standard sizes and designs:

Ready to Explore Sauna Ownership Further?

Come and talk with us! At Mainely Tubs, we are here for you throughout the entire process – from initial consideration, to sauna comparisons, to delivery day. First, check out our helpful 10 key tips for buying a home sauna guide. Then, when you are ready, give us a call, email us, or pop by our showrooms in Scarborough, Maine or Rye, New Hampshire. We’re always happy to help you make the first steps to becoming a new sauna owner!

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If you want to get right to the point, you likely want to know how much saunas cost and is it worth the investment? Simply put, it’s an affordable, one-time investment that will give you a long-term, 24/7, on-demand wellness retreat in your home.  In this article, we’ll provide you with some basic sauna costs to help get you started. First, let’s kick off this pricing guide with sauna 101.

A Brief Drilldown into the Two Common Types of Saunas and the Many Options

In general, saunas are an intensely heated, enclosed, wood-lined room that gives bathers “a bath from the inside out,” helping facilitate detoxifying perspiration, relief from aches and pains, and deep relaxation.

The specific sauna experience and technology will be different depending on what sauna type you prefer – traditional saunas or infrared saunas. Here are the top-line distinctions between the two:

If you enjoy steam in the sauna, higher temperatures, and a more social environment, then a traditional sauna may be the best sauna for you.

These saunas can be indoor or outdoor. Here are some other quick facts about traditional saunas:

• The median temperature is between 165-180 degrees Fahrenheit
• Traditional saunas heat the air to heat the body
• Heat and humidity: Very dry until water is sprinkled over hot rocks. Both temperature and humidity are adjustable (by adding water to rocks); you can also incorporate essential oils into the water for aromatherapy.
• It requires 30-40 minutes to preheat rocks before use
• Proper ventilation will be required
• Bathers enjoy 10-15 minutes – optimal time for use

If you prefer lower temperatures but with body-penetrating heat, an infrared sauna may be your best sauna choice.

These saunas are designed for indoor use only. Here are some other quick facts about infrared saunas:

• Optimum temperature is between 125-130 degrees Fahrenheit
• Infrared saunas directly heat your body. The infrared energy penetrates the body and raises the core temperature – causing a more pronounced sweating. The EMR (electromagnetic radiation) and EF (electrical field) on some models that utilize certain types of technology are lower than the ambient in your home. The EMR and EF levels are far below even Sweden’s toughest radiation standards.
• Heat and humidity: Relatively dry with average humidity. Temperature is controllable; humidity is not.
• No pre-heat time required
• Since water isn’t used with an infrared sauna, there’s no concern about ventilation. It’s a completely dry heat that maxes out at 150 degrees. 
• 10-15 minutes is optimal time for use, but bathers often stay 25-30 minutes (due to lower temperatures).

If you’d like an even more in-depth explanation of how these saunas differ, check out our extensive side-by-side sauna comparison page.

The Options of Traditional and Infrared Saunas:

How much does a sauna cost for a traditional or infrared model? It depends. There are so many makes and models of saunas across both traditional sauna and infrared sauna categories that will impact sauna prices, including things like:

• Sauna type (traditional saunas tend to be more expensive)
• Sauna make and model
• Sauna size (bigger models will cost more to make and be more expensive to buy)
• Sauna option selection (from wood to doors, etc.)
• Sauna placement (if you are looking to create an outdoor oasis and have the traditional sauna as part of an outside spa retreat, there may be additional costs outside of the sauna purchase you’ll be making)
• Sauna accessories
• Any kind of sauna customization

If helpful, you can start looking at specific dimensions of existing traditional and infrared sauna models to help you start narrowing your search of the right sauna for you – before you start thinking sauna price.

Sauna Cost: An Investment into Your Health

You can’t ask how much saunas are without looking at how many sauna benefits there are to enjoy! As a true investment into your health, here’s what regular sauna sessions can help with (and if you are a sauna owner, this can be part of your daily routine for the most health benefits):  

If you want to read more about these benefits (with some cool stats), check out our resources here: 

• 6 key benefits of having a home sauna
• 10 amazing health benefits of saunas

General Cost Ranges: From Purchase to Ongoing Maintenance

While we will provide very general sauna price ranges here, you will need to work specifically with your local sauna dealer since your actual sauna price will be dependent on the many factors we touched on earlier.

Ready to Become A Sauna Owner?

At Mainely Tubs, we are here for you throughout the entire process – from initial consideration, to sauna comparisons, to delivery day. First, check out our helpful 10 key tips for buying a home sauna guide. Then, when you are ready, give us a call, email us, or pop by our showrooms in Scarborough, Maine or Rye, New Hampshire. We’re always happy to help you make the first steps to becoming a new sauna owner!

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