Sauna in Adjacent Car Port

[Mulberry View]

We have a Car Port in our design that's linked to the house via a covered walkway. The Car Port itself it open.

 

We are really fond of having a Sauna within our scheme, but not enough room in the house and so I decided to increase the length of the Car Port in the hope of incorporating a Sauna within a partitioned structure at the rear of the Car Port. On further thought, I would really like to include a small shower and changing area but space is pretty tight as I don't really want to compromise on the 2m x 2m internal size for the Sauna. Does anyone here have a Sauna? Do you have anything to add in terms of sizing?

 

This is my "fag packet" sketch (not at all to scale, yet!)

 

 

The external walls of the Car Port are double skin with an uninsulated Cavity. The partition walls are likely to be 100mm facing bricks with a proper sealed door into the Changing Area.

 

The Sauna itself is a separate discussion, but that will be built and insulated according to Sauna best practice. I'm interested in the Changing and Shower Area at the moment, which I want to make comfortable to use (not necessarily luxuriously warm, but usable in Winter) and so I am thinking of applying some insulation to the walls. What thickness of insulation (PIR?) should I consider for this? 50mm? The structure is somewhat shielded from the prevailing wind by the house itself and I can insulate the floor and ceiling.

[SteamyTea]

Have made thousands of them.

As long as you can lay down in it, it is big enough.

Don't get an infra red heater, they are truly dreadful.

[Mulberry View]

1 minute ago, SteamyTea said:

Have made thousands of them.

As long as you can lay down in it, it is big enough.

Don't get an infra red heater, they are truly dreadful.

 

We're planning on an Electric Heater, but a "proper" one.

 

I'd really rather not have to incorporate a shower etc as we have 3 of them in the house, but it's the practicality of getting from the Sauna to the Shower in the house that I'm worried about.

[JohnMo]

2 hours ago, Mulberry View said:

, but it's the practicality of getting from the Sauna to the Shower in the house that I'm worried about

It's a sauna, so a cold only shower outside - job done. Or cold plunge pool?

[Mulberry View]

18 minutes ago, JohnMo said:

It's a sauna, so a cold only shower outside - job done. Or cold plunge pool?

 

Yes, perhaps. I think I've talked myself out of a changing room and shower. I just need to get my head around being able to get back into the house and to the shower without, you know, sweating everywhere.

 

Would still be good to hear from anyone that has built a home Sauna, I'd love to see some pics.

[SteamyTea]

58 minutes ago, JohnMo said:

plunge pool

Would be my choice.

 

39 minutes ago, Mulberry View said:

sweating everywhere

Sit outside for a few minutes, towel off, then pop your Crocs on and walk into the house.

 

You will need water there, or at least a hose pipe for cleaning, so make sure you fit a drain in the floor.  Then you can just hose off in the sauna.

 

If you sauna properly, your neighbours will be the sweaty ones watching your naked antics.

[JamesP]

I have a 12m x 6m garage with carport on the end. I have now enclosed a 3m x 3m area to accommodate a sauna, 2m x 1.3m, separate shower +WC, and kitchen sink. Large enough to lie down, 3 seated.  

I had some 150mm Celotex left over so used that on the base,  + 50mm concrete screed with electric UFH. Fitted Celotex in the external walls.

External cold shower and above ground plunge bath eventually. 

Stud work completed, waiting for the electrician..

 

Edited October 28 by JamesP

[Mulberry View]

11 minutes ago, JamesP said:

I have a 12m x 6m garage with carport on the end. I have now enclosed a 3m x 3m area to accommodate a sauna, 2m x 1.3m, separate shower +WC, and kitchen sink. Large enough to lie down, 3 seated.  

I had some 150mm Celotex left over so used that on the base,  + 50mm concrete screed with electric UFH. Fitted Celotex in the external walls.

External cold shower and above ground plunge bath eventually. 

Stud work completed, waiting for the electrician..

 

 

Flash git!! I don't have that amount of space to play with unfortunately, but I'd love to see your progress pics? I'm hoping to make the Sauna cabin at least 2x2m as I want 2 flat benches at the optimum height (for me and SWMBO). Like you, I have plenty of spare Celotex and so will insulate the floor with 150mm or even 200mm depending on what room I have.

 

From my own knowledge, be careful if using normal PIR inside the Sauna, I understand it can emit Cyanide gas under high temperatures. There are some specialist versions on the market which I'll be looking at. I've done a fair bit of research on the Sauna itself, there's a lot to learn to be honest!

[SteamyTea]

I would be worried about using PU/PIR. It is not really designed for prolonged high temperatures. Mineral wool is what we used.

Commercial installation had a number of quite strict electrical and fire rules. There is a section about 'hot boxes' in the wiring regs.

 

If building it inside an existing structure, you need to consider forced ventilation and humidity control. A bathroom fan does not last long at 100°C.

(A lot of saunas are only run up to 80-85°C, but they are for fairies, did a few for jockeys, they slept all night in them if they were overweight)

[JamesP]

23 minutes ago, Mulberry View said:

From my own knowledge, be careful if using normal PIR inside the Sauna, I understand it can emit Cyanide gas under high temperatures. There are some specialist versions on the market which I'll be looking at. I've done a fair bit of research on the Sauna itself, there's a lot to learn to be honest!

And @SteamyTea

Thanks for that, will have a read and could replace with rockwool.

I read that some type of aluminised vapour control membrane needs to be fitted.

I will look for a drawing.

Edited October 28 by JamesP

[SteamyTea]

1 hour ago, JamesP said:

I read that some type of aluminised vapour control membrane needs to be fitted.

We fitted it, but then the MD of the company used to be a photocopier salesman.  Looked good, but like most multifoils, really is pointless.

A sauna is full of slots, holes and badly made doors, so vapour moves about pretty quickly.