A sauna is certainly an investment, but it’s an investment in your health and property too! If you’re interested in buying a sauna, here is some important information to consider. You can browse our wide selection of saunas here! Click around to see your options for a free quote, and continue to the checkout screen to see your estimated shipping cost before you add your payment information with no commitment and not obligation.

 

1. ELECTRIC OR WOOD STOVE? THERE ARE BENEFITS TO EACH TYPE OF STOVE.

The first thing you need to know is that the type of stove you choose is simply a matter of preference. Whether you choose an electric stove or a wood stove, the maximum temperature and the time it takes to reach that temperature is very similar.

The advantage of an electric stove is simply the convenience of it. Never worry about chopping and burning wood in the dead of winter, or any ash mess. However, please note that you will need a licensed electrician to hook up your sauna, which may require an additional electrical circuit. We recommend that you get a quote from an electrician BEFORE getting an electrically heated sauna, just to avoid any surprises. It’s also good to note that you may have a slight increase in your hydro bill.

For reference, our backyard sauna that we use about 4 times per week has increased our hydro bill by less than $20 per month (That’s way cheaper than our electric hot tub!). In terms of which electric heater you choose, we recommend scaling up your unit's KWs based on size. If you're getting anything bigger than 7'x7', you'll want to go with 9kw to heat your sauna efficiently and effectively.

 

With a wood stove, your only additional cost for running your sauna will be the cost of wood. At your cottage or country home, you probably have more wood than you know what to do with, so it’s a great way to use the natural resources around you. The main benefits of the wood burning stove are that you are completely off-grid, and it’s a truly authentic Finish sauna experience. 

 

Exterior Wood Burning Stove

Interior Wood Burning Stove

 

If you’re deciding between the interior or exterior wood stove, they each have their benefits. An interior stove allows you to see the fire while you’re enjoying the sauna, and it’s more convenient not to have to get out of the sauna to stoke and feed the fire from the back. The exterior feeding fire is great for people who want no mess in their sauna, as the interior may cause some ash to be sprayed around the sauna floor (with no damages of course, you can easily sweep it up).

 

2. SIZE MATTERS! SHAPE (KIND OF) MATTERS…

If you are tall, you will need height not to hit your head. A 6’ diameter barrel sauna may not be right for you if it means you’re ducking your head while you’re in the sauna. In this case, you’ll probably want to go with a 7’ diameter. On the other hand, the smaller the space the shorter the time for the sauna to heat up (varying about 10 minutes).

What we love about the barrel sauna is how the air evenly circulates due to the round edges. This also allows for the fastest heating time of all the saunas we offer. You may notice a difference in the heat around your feet between a barrel sauna and a square one, but personally I don’t believe it changes that much. When you sit back in the barrel sauna, the sides are naturally curved towards your head so it might not be as comfortable as a square edged sauna (depending on your height and the size of the sauna).

 

 

If you’re looking for the most floor space, a Pod Sauna may be right for you. It's perfect for anyone who wants to stretch or do Hot Yoga in the sauna!
	My personal favourite is the Luna Sauna, because it’s the best of both worlds. It has ample floor space, comfortable seating, and everybody faces the same direction to avoid eye contact while enjoying the heat ;) The Luna offers large windows perfect for a view, and is great for people who have claustrophobia to feel like they're in a bigger space and can see outside.

Keep all this information in mind when deciding the style of sauna that you prefer. These are small differences, but it’s important to be certain in what you expect from your sauna experience!

 

3. IT MIGHT MAKE YOU HEALTHIER! IT MAY EVEN HELP YOU LIVE LONGER!

Would you take a pill to make you live longer? Well, studies show that saunas may actually have that effect! Don’t just take my word for it, check out this video from The Sauna Expert Dr. Rhonda Patrick.

You’ve heard all about how saunas are excellent for your health, but if you want to learn more about the incredible science behind sauna health benefits, check out this link.

  

4. YOU’LL SEE THE DIFFERENCE IN YOUR MOOD

This is my favourite sauna benefit. I feel I have more energy now than I did 15 years ago, and I have my sauna to thank for that. Simply put, sauna use can increase the function of your mitochondrial health. The mitochondria is the energy source of your cells, and if you increase its function you will increase your energy!

Not only does it help your cells to its core, it also helps your muscles to have more endurance to get through the day. With common sauna use, your muscles will have increased blood flow which improves nutrient delivery, allowing you to have more energy throughout the day. Isn’t that amazing?

 

5. DRY SAUNA OR WET SAUNA? WHY NOT BOTH!

Log Furniture and More offers heaters that that can be used for wet or dry saunas. You can choose exactly how dry you want your sauna to be by adding your preferred amount of water to the rocks. Completely dry saunas offer dry heat that the rocks generate, which is more tolerable. I prefer a wet sauna by adding water to the rocks to create humidity and moisture, because I like a really hot sauna (and it’s extremely beneficial for your health). Try both and see what you like better.

 

6. ACCESSORIES AND ADDITIONAL LUXURIES COULD CHANGE THE SAUNA EXPERIENCE

While getting all the bells and whistles isn’t necessary to enjoy the sauna, it could make it more relaxing and more fun!

The regular flat cedar bench is included with the sauna, but you have a choice of one of two upgrades. The cedar Signature Bench upgrade is curved with mortise and tenon joints from wall to floor for a full length backrest. The Cedar Lounder Style Upgrade allows for a fully adjustable experience, whether you’re sitting with a group or laying down. The signature benches and lounge benches both come with the flat floor for your optimal comfort. Sit back and relax, enjoy the heat and the benefits!

 

Similarly, sauna accessories are all luxury upgrades that can add to your sauna experience. Getting electrical lighting will make for a better nighttime experience, but again please consult your electrician to make sure you’re comfortable with the additional cost. An easy option for some night light is to add a solar light to the outside of your sauna, lighting up your beautiful sauna for all to see while still staying off the grid. Backrests aren’t necessary if you upgraded your seating, but are a much cheaper option if you have standard seating to add a little extra comfort. 

Personally, I think the sauna thermometer is extremely necessary. I love looking over to see what the temperature I’m cooking in, competing every time to see how high I can jack it up! Another necessary addition is the bucket and ladle, if you prefer a steam sauna over a dry one.

 

7. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO HEAT UP?

We have the Luna Sauna in our backyard. We have 9kw power, it takes 40-45 minutes to reach its height of heat. The time it takes to heat varies depending on external weather conditions and the type of sauna you have, but you can generally expect 30-50 minutes for all types of heaters (electric and wood burning sauna heaters).

 

8. A SAUNA COULD INCREASE THE VALUE OF YOUR PROPERTY

Check out this article by Forbes that explains how a sauna could actually be a great investment.

 

9. OWNING A SAUNA COMES WITH A BIT OF MAINTENANCE WORK - IT’S MANAGEABLE!

We recommend cleaning your sauna rocks about once a year, which is a process that takes about 30 minutes of work. Check out this article to learn how to clean your sauna rocks and stove.

We use the highest quality cedar wood from Canada for our saunas, so your sauna will stay structurally sound for over thirty years. Additionally, you may or may not want to stain your sauna. We stained our sauna once after about three years, and plan to do it again in another three years, but for your sauna it’s entirely discretionary how often you want to give your sauna a clean new paint job. If you’re living in the country with wilderness around you, you might not want to stain your sauna at all! Let it weather and grey, fitting in beautifully with its environment. Do not ever stain the interior of your sauna. About twice per year you should do a thorough vacuum of your sauna interior, and if you want a deeper clean you can scrub the wood with warm water and mild detergent.

 

10. ALL SEASONS

Yes, a sauna is a great break from the cold in the winter. But remember to use your sauna throughout the dog days of summer too! I don’t always feel like committing to a sauna session when it’s 40°C outside, but I have never once regretted coming out of the sauna because of how amazing it makes me feel afterward.

 

11. SAUNA EXTENSIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE

We offer a porch seating upgrade on most of our sauna options. It’s a perfect resting place to pop out to take a 2 minute break from the extreme heat. It also helps to keep the area in front of your sauna clear of snow and rain. Alternatively, Log Furniture and More offers what our customers believe are the best Muskoka Chairs in Canada for you to sit on. Stick to your gut on whether you think the two foot porch option is right for you, as it’s entirely based on aesthetic preference and if you think you’ll use it.

Adding a 4 foot changeroom is awesome for the winter. Go out in your full winter gear to bear the extreme cold, and derobe in the insulated changeroom to make a quick entrance into the extreme heat. We recommend the changeroom for resorts and for people whose saunas are far from their home. While it’s not necessary, it’s certainly convenient.

 

12. ROOF ADDITIONS

Like I said earlier, we guarantee that our saunas are made with the highest quality wood to ensure that it will last a lifetime. If you’re interested in a little bit of extra protection, you can add some extra wood to the roof with a layer of rubber for zero leakage for your barrel sauna. Check out the cove roof addition too, it could help keep the front entrance clean of snow and rain and it may suit your aesthetic eye.

 

13. SOME WINDOWS ARE TRANSPARENT… BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU’RE WEARING (OR NOT WEARING) IN THERE…

We all know somebody who loves to be “au naturale”. I for one am somebody like that. You can’t see into the bubble sauna, which is why it’s perfect to place over a lakeside or any other nice view. Every window is tinted, but you can see into the Luna sauna and any other sauna that you see with regular glass… We’ve received a lot of questions about this, sometimes rather personal questions… 😉

 

We’re always here for any questions you may have! 😉

 

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We absolutely guarantee your satisfaction. We've helped thousands of Canadians take a step towards their Dream Home. Take a look at what some of our customers have to say about their saunas: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Mary From Rice Lake (The Kimberly Barrel Sauna 7' Diameter x 7' Long) "Just letting you know we got our sauna installed last weekend and we love it. We love the look and smell of the cedar. Wish we had done this years ago." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Georgia From Grand Bend (Panoramic View Barrel Sauna - 84' Diameter) "We live right on the lake, and sitting in this and looking at the lake is so relaxing. We got the big one because we always have company over, and our guests absolutely love it! Thanks for you help." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Geoff From Muskoka (Luna Clear Red Cedar Sauna) "This is truly a fantastic sauna. The huge windows are great and it gets very hot. The top of the sauna has a water proof fabric which works great but if you have a top view down looks a bit weird but we love it. Way better than others we have seen."

 

We're proudly Canadian. Log Furniture and More's Saunas are environmentally friendly. We deliver the best quality products for the lowest price. We're your friends that you haven't met yet.