How to Build a Sauna in Australia: Step-by-Step Guide
Alana Farina | π info@thesaunacompany.com
Build Your Own Sauna With Expert Guidance Every Step of the Way
Are you looking for your next weekend project? Perfect for builders or DIY enthusiasts who want a custom-built DIY sauna project with expert advice.
Wellness First: Why Build a Sauna at Home?
You’ve landed here, so I doubt you need much convincing on why saunas are awesome.
But we can’t help ourselves... here are some of our favourite wellness benefits (and the science behind them).
- Stress Reduction: releases endorphins (the happy chemicals) to move through your day with calm and ease
- Raising Your Core Body Temperature: Helps you handle Melbourne’s tough winters by warming your system from the inside out.
- Immunity Boost: Activates immune cells and triggers heat shock protein production.
- Heart Health: Improves circulation and supports cardiovascular health.
- Deep Detox Effect: Softens the skin’s barrier, helping it release heavy metals and toxins.
- Brain Boost: Research has linked regular sauna use to long-term brain health, reducing cognitive decline.
Research highlight:
4–7 sauna sessions weekly can decrease the risk of developing dementia by 66% and Alzheimer’s disease by 65% compared to just one session per week.
(Sources: Age and Ageing, The multifaceted benefits of passive heat therapies...)
Our DIY Sauna Offerings
What You Need to Get Started
Before you start your DIY sauna project, make sure you’re prepared:
- Space: Decide if you’re building an indoor sauna room or an outdoor sauna. For outdoors, pick level ground. For indoors, measure up. Send us photos of the proposed space for advice.
- Type of heater: Ensure you have equivalent power supply for the heater specified by our expert team.
- Insulation materials & vapour barriers: To keep the heat in and protect your cedar.
- Tools: Saw, drill, level, screws, tape measure.
- Approvals: Some outdoor builds require council or strata approval.
Mistake Alert:
Forgetting electrical work, ventilation planning, and safety allowance for heaters is the fastest way to derail a project.
Common Mistakes in Choosing Materials
- Ignoring Safety Standards & Compliance
- Choosing the Wrong Timber
- Cutting Corners on Durability
- Using none or the Wrong Insulation & Vapour Barriers
- Undersizing the Heater
- Skipping Essential Sauna Accessories essential for sauna use, heater maintenance, and overall enjoyment.
- Fitting Generic Glass Doors
- Installing unsafe hardware, such as metal handles.
Mistake Alert:
Cutting corners on building materials leads to disappointment. A good sauna starts with high quality sauna-grade timber, heaters, and accessories.
Choosing the Right Materials
A good sauna is built from the inside out, with materials chosen to handle heat, moisture, and daily use.
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We’ve built saunas for some of Australia’s most respected names in wellness, including the Grand Hyatt, Sense of Self, Comma Richmond, and Wellness Social Co.
The same knowledge and materials go into every home sauna project we supply.
Here’s what we recommend:
- Using timber that is durable, aromatic, and naturally resistant to moisture and decay.
- Sauna-specific vapour barriers are essential for locking in heat and preventing moisture damage.
- Stainless steel SAWO heaters are trusted for safety, efficiency, and longevity.
- Sauna glass doors are designed to retain the heat and endure extreme temperatures and moisture without cracking.
- Essential sauna accessories like a bucket and ladle, thermostat, timer, and sauna rocks complete the authentic sauna experience.
Our Timber Selection
SAWO Heaters are the no. 1 choice
Proven Quality:
SAWO is one of the world’s leading sauna heater manufacturers, producing over 100,000 units each year.
Australian Standards:
Unlike many European brands, SAWO designs and supplies heaters specifically rated and approved for Australian safety requirements.
Energy Efficiency:
Advanced technology means lower power consumption while still delivering the powerful, even heat you expect from a traditional Finnish sauna.
Tested Performance:
Every heater is tested with continuous product development ensuring reliable performance for years to come.
Authentic Sauna Experience:
SAWO heaters are designed to work with hot rocks, delivering the classic balance of dry heat and steam that defines a good sauna.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Build a Sauna
Step 1: Plan & Design
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- Choose your sauna type & materials: traditional or wood burning.
- Sketch your layout with benches, heater position, air flow, and the door.
- Measure the space in square metres to size the heater correctly. Our expert team will ensure the heater matches your proposed space.
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Mistake Alert:
Many people choose a heater that is too small. The result is weak heat and wasted energy.
Step 2: Prepare the Site
- You’ll need a clean area to work with.
- Confirm electrical work with a licensed electrician and plan the power source.
- Make sure the floor is level and safe for heat and moisture. For internal domestic spaces, 120mm skirting tiling to line the sauna and drainage.
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Mistake Alert:
Forgetting approvals or failing to prepare the base can delay the whole build.
Step 3: Build the Frame & Insulate
- Build a timber stud frame for the sauna walls and ceiling.
- Use sauna-grade insulation that holds dry heat.
- Add a vapour barrier to lock in heat and protect against moisture.
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Mistake Alert:
Standard home insulation traps moisture. This can lead to mould and repairs.
Step 4: Line the Interior Walls & Ceiling
- Fix cedar wood panels with a hidden nail system for a clean look.
- Use premium grade Western Red Cedar. It is durable, aromatic, and resists moisture.
- Seal corners and edges with trims.
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Mistake Alert:
The wrong timber or exposed nails can cause cracking and shorten the sauna’s life.
Step 5: Add Benches & Sauna Door
- Install a lower bench and an upper bench for comfort.
- Fit a proper sauna door made from cedar or glass. These are built for heat and moisture.
- Allow enough bench space for each person using the sauna.
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Mistake Alert:
Generic doors or untreated timber benches can leak heat and become unsafe.
Step 6: Install Heater, Lighting & Ventilation
- Mount a stainless steel heater that matches the size of the room and allows for ventilation.
- Add a sauna lights inside the room (e.g. uppear rear bench, back rest, or lower bench) ensuring with switches are placed outside the room.
- Install a vent to allow safe air flow and circulation.ο»Ώ
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Mistake Alert:
Poor ventilation makes the sauna unsafe and uncomfortable.
Step 7: Accessories & Finishing Touches
- Add the essentials: bucket, ladle, hot rocks, timer, and thermometer.
- Install backrests for comfort and longevity of the sauna, help protect the sauna walls and panelling from sweat marks.
- Also invest in extra towels for sauna use.
- Add extras like aroma oils, accent lighting, and custom stains.
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Mistake Alert:
Skipping accessories such as a thermometer or timer risks overheating and poor control.
Step 8: Safety & First Sauna Session
- Ensure all electrical is carried out by a licensed electrician. Correct the power supply to the electrical board and unit.
- Run the heater and test the dry heat.
- Enjoy your first sauna session. Start slow, hydrate well, and finish with cold water for the full Finnish ritual.
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Mistake Alert:
Never do electrical work yourself. Always use a licensed electrician.
Why Choose The Sauna Company?
- Expert advice
- Premium-grade materials
- Highly credited SAWO supplier
- Trusted By Leading Wellness Spaces & clients
- End-to-End Support
- Custom & DIY Saunas
- Post-Install Check-Ins
Build Your Sauna, Your Way
Think of it like a DIY kit, but without the prefab limits. We can cut your custom sauna to size and supply everything you need.
You’ll have the freedom to design and build the sauna of your style and benefit while knowing you’ve got expert advice on hand at every step.
Our team has the know-how to make sure your project is safe, durable, and rewarding.
Ready to get started?
info@thesaunacompany.comο»Ώ
π 0429 303 271ο»Ώ
23 Percy St, Heidelberg West
Frequently Asked Questions
The Sauna Company is the premium supplier of traditional Finnish home saunas in Melbourne
The Sauna Company was established a number of years ago as the Victorian distributor of the internationally recognised SAWO Finland brand - design leaders in sauna room, steam room, steam shower equipment, and sauna accessories.
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Our aim is not only to promote the SAWO brand but also the health, wellness and relaxation benefits associated with sauna and steam room bathing.
With the backing of a national distributor and the support of a premium global
brand with over 25 years of experience behind it, we are well-placed to meet our customers needs.
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No job is considered too big or too small, nor is any question considered unimportant.
Feel free to contact us for a no-obligation discussion about your wellness dream.
π Looking for custom sauna options for your residential or commercial space?
Learn why we're Victoria's trusted custom sauna builders
βΉοΈ Learn More
About our traditional sauna installation process
π‘ Learn More
Regarding saunas in Melbourne
β€οΈπ₯ Discover
Health benefits of traditional sauna use
βοΈ Read
What our happy customers are saying
π Explore
Completed sauna projects
Victoria's Trusted Sauna & Steam Room Specialists
The Sauna Company provides end-to-end SAWO sauna/steam room services Victoria-wide:
π¬ Comprehensive consultations pre-purchase
π Delivery statewide
β All of our sauna rooms are constructed from premium grade materials including circa 70mm thick double insulated wall panels which are lined on both sides with 14mm kiln dried western red cedar boards
π¨ Certified carpenters build our custom saunas
π We utilise colour bond skillion roofs to our outdoor saunas
π Certified electricians handle install wiring
ποΈ All waste + rubbish is cleaned on-site at your convenience
π€ Ongoing post-purchase maintenance and customer service support
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