How Much Does a Sauna Cost?

Aesthetically pleasing and a facilitator of health benefits, a home sauna provides a wonderful means of turning up the heat in your wellness routine. Not only has sauna bathing been linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, but it’s also been shown to reduce stress, decrease muscle soreness, and possibly extend life expectancy.

If you’ve made the call to commit to the sauna lifestyle, you may have found yourself quickly overwhelmed by all the options, from steam and barrel sauna options to custom construction. With so many factors, you might be wondering, how much is a sauna kit?

The costs will vary depending on the materials used, sauna type, and size of the sauna. But there’s no need to worry about costs—we’re also providing our top budgeting tips so you can spend less time stressing about expenses and more time de-stressing in your sauna room. Ahh.

First, Determine Your Sauna Type

The key to answering the question, how much does a sauna cost? first lies in what kind of sauna you’re considering. A few types of saunas exist for at-home use. These include the following:

Steam or traditional sauna types
Dry sauna
Infrared sauna

Let’s go through the different options and their rough costs in more detail.

Steam saunas

Sometimes called a “traditional Finnish sauna” due to the fact that it originated in Finland, a steam sauna uses heated water to circulate pressurized steam within an enclosed structure. This produces wet heat that leads to intense perspiration. The humidity can be adjusted, and they’re great for indoor or outdoor use.

While the cost of a traditional steam sauna starts around $3,000, keep in mind that steam saunas will be more expensive in the long run because they require more warm-up time and are more expensive to operate than dry and infrared options.

Dry saunas

While this kind of sauna also features a sauna heater, the warm feelings derive from the wood construction of the unit. In other words, instead of steam, expect dry heat emanating from the benches, walls, and floor of the sauna.

When it comes to dry sauna vs wet sauna prices, dry saunas are comparable to wet saunas in cost, but remember that they operate at about a quarter of the price.

Infrared saunas

This kind of electric sauna typically comes at a lower price point and uses infrared heat lamps to raise the sauna temperature of the body. In other words, while you’ll feel plenty warm after 10 to 15 minutes, the air around you won’t.

Indoor vs Outdoor Saunas

Indoor wooden wet sauna in a large room.

One of the key decisions you’ll have to make is whether you want to enjoy your sauna session alfresco or indoors. While this is really more of a personal choice about available space and style, it can affect your budget, too.

Indoor saunas must have proper ventilation, flooring, insulation, and sauna temperature to protect against fire hazards, leaks, and poorly circulating air. You may need to hire an electrician to help with your indoor sauna installation, and you may incur other costs for wiring and a ventilation system. As for cost of the saunas, these typically begin around $2,500 and can go up to $15,000 depending on size and features.

An outdoor sauna will also require a level, fireproof foundation, which may mean you need to install a concrete or ceramic surface. Additionally, exposure to the sun, wind, and rain can mean maintenance in the form of leak-proofing and yearly cleaning for outdoor saunas. For instance, if your sauna room has a roof, you may need to invest in shingle repair now and then. Outdoor saunas typically begin at a higher price point than indoor saunas and range from $5,000-$15,000.

In any case, knowing when to use a sauna and how to clean a sauna are essential so you can keep your unit fresh and sanitary for every use.

Materials, Design, & Size

Because saunas are typically fabricated almost entirely of wood, the overall cost will depend greatly on what kind of wood is used. According to Forbes, Pine and Cedar are on the more affordable end of things, while high-end timber like Redwood and Nordic White Spruce can add up.

When it comes to design, a quality sauna will afford you the most usable interior space while minimizing excess cubic feet—which is super important when it comes to heating the air efficiently and keeping energy costs low. Other features may add to the price tag but may increase the usability of your space. For example, a heat-resistant window can provide you with a view of your surroundings.

Finally, it comes as no surprise that saunas increase in cost with the size. For example, 4-person barrel saunas will be more affordable than their 6-8 person counterparts. Take an inventory of your party size to arrive at a size that meets your needs and, more importantly, fits your space. For example, will you need legroom for the whole family to enjoy, or are you thinking this will be a way to unwind solo?

Custom Elements & Features

If you’re sinking a good chunk of change into a new steam system, you’ll probably want to trick things out with custom touches like a Bluetooth-operated sound system or mood lighting. Other types of features include:

Towel and accessory racks
Essential oil diffusers
Additional seating
Himalayan Sea Salt LED lighting

You can get even more creative with outdoor saunas, making use of the extra space to install a porch or include a custom log rack for firewood.

Before going crazy planning how to soak up the heat in style, make sure you budget for essentials like a thermometer, clock, and timer. After all, you don’t want to set foot into your relaxation cave without making sure you have the tools you need to enjoy it safely.

Tips on Budgeting for a Sauna

After doing a quick in-home sauna cost analysis, you may find yourself sweating the eventual outlay, especially if you’re looking for luxury features. But while it’s easy to rack up charges in your head, the truth is there are a few simple ways to slash that price tag—if you’re savvy about it.

#1 Determine Your Key Needs and Balance Your Budget Elsewhere

If used regularly, a home sauna will add value to your life. The trick is to figure out where and then use that to cut costs elsewhere.

Here’s an example. National Geographic reported that there are over 3.3 million saunas in use throughout homes, offices, and even airport lounges. This is because saunas are considered a primary way to relax, enjoy time with family, and reap health benefits.

If your goal for your sauna experience is hanging out with loved ones, you can divert some of your monthly budgets away from family activities such as:

Movies
Sporting events
Going out to eat

That’s because you’ll be at home enjoying the sweat lodge instead. Over time, those savings will begin to add up, maybe one day offsetting the expense of your sauna entirely.

#2 Do As Much Of The Installation Work By Yourself As Possible

Installing a sauna can come with all kinds of hidden costs that will put additional strain on your wallet. But before you hire that feng shui expert, ask yourself: Can I figure out the perfect place for my sauna on my own?

Jokes aside, there are plenty of areas where you can save money by not hiring a professional. For example, placing your sauna near the proper power outlet will keep you from needing to pay to run additional wiring. And finding an energy-efficient part of the house will keep electricity costs down. If your sauna is going in the backyard, build the deck; it’ll need to be mounted with help from friends instead of hiring a contractor.

#3 Sacrifice Luxury Materials and Size

When it comes to selecting a sauna that fits your budget, consider the materials and size. While you may want to achieve the look and feel of a 5-star Swiss resort, it may not be worth breaking the bank. For instance, you can opt for more budget-friendly Pine and Cedar sauna models that can still provide your home with a beautiful, cozy aesthetic. If you have a little more to spend, you can explore other sauna features like tempered glass windows, wood-burning stoves, and storage space.

Regarding the size of your sauna, consider selecting a sauna unit that fits your use case scenario. If there are two of you at home, you may not need to purchase a sauna meant to seat five.

At the end of the day, if the comfort and relaxation of your sauna session are what matter most, there are plenty of budget-friendly options for you to choose from when buying a sauna for your home and enjoyment.

Find the Right Sauna for You with ALEKO

Couple outside discussing benefits of the wooden sauna.

The benefits of regular sauna use can impact every area of your life. Whether you seek improved blood circulation, a reduction in stress, or a nourished body inside and out, your sauna will allow you to unwind in the privacy of your home whenever you want.

Whether you’re going for a custom sauna, prefab sauna, or any other type, finding one that fits your needs shouldn’t be a struggle—and it shouldn’t break the bank. Bring the sauna experience into your home and reap the many sauna health benefits a unit has to offer. We have luxury saunas, sauna heaters, and sauna accessories for sale at every price point.

At ALEKO, we strive to provide quality options that are built to last, all at competitive prices. If you’re looking to purchase a sauna, but rather not pay the full amount at once, consider our available financing options that offer affordable monthly plans. With our simple application process, you’ll be enjoying the benefits of your sauna in no time.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect backyard getaway or are augmenting an existing home spa, our team of experts can help you find just the solution you’re looking for.

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