About the service
I build cedar saunas inside private homes, basements, garages, and insulated attics—transforming an empty corner into a real relaxation room instead of a flimsy prefab cabin. Every project starts with a short site visit or video inspection: I check ceiling height, floor drain availability, electrical capacity, and how the stove's supply and exhaust ventilation will work in an enclosed space. Based on this, I sketch a simple diagram with bench height and depth, backrest angle, clearance above the upper bench, door swing direction, and placement for the control panel and thermometer—all agreed upon in advance, before cutting the first board.
The work sequence is always the same, because saunas fail in the same ways if this sequence is broken. First, the frame is built, then foil-faced vapor barrier is attached as a continuous layer with every seam sealed—trapped wall moisture rots the frame and warps the trim in the adjoining room. Next comes mineral insulation wool, then a ventilation gap framing for the cedar paneling so the wood breathes and dries between sessions rather than warping and cracking. Only then is the western red cedar or thermally modified aspen paneling installed, with boards hand-selected so knots don't appear where skin touches the benches and backrests.
Benches are built in two or three tiers on a hidden structural frame; if space allows, I make the upper tier deep enough to lie down on, round the edges, and leave no exposed metal fasteners near seating areas. The stove is installed and connected according to manufacturer clearance specifications, a separate power line is coordinated with an electrician where required by local codes, and I install the control panel and door hardware, including heat-resistant glass if the design includes a window or glass door. The floor is your choice—cedar slats over tile or a sealed concrete floor with a drain—and I complete any job with a full test run: checking door seal tightness, comfortable temperature of wood surfaces by touch, and even heating from floor to ceiling.
I take on small saunas for two people and spacious family projects alike, equally comfortable completing an already-framed rough box or starting from a bare frame. Materials, stove brand, and finish level are discussed in advance so there are no surprises in the final invoice, and after handover I leave simple written care instructions: ventilation between sessions, panel cleaning, and how often to check the door seal—so the sauna serves for years after I leave the site.
The work sequence is always the same, because saunas fail in the same ways if this sequence is broken. First, the frame is built, then foil-faced vapor barrier is attached as a continuous layer with every seam sealed—trapped wall moisture rots the frame and warps the trim in the adjoining room. Next comes mineral insulation wool, then a ventilation gap framing for the cedar paneling so the wood breathes and dries between sessions rather than warping and cracking. Only then is the western red cedar or thermally modified aspen paneling installed, with boards hand-selected so knots don't appear where skin touches the benches and backrests.
Benches are built in two or three tiers on a hidden structural frame; if space allows, I make the upper tier deep enough to lie down on, round the edges, and leave no exposed metal fasteners near seating areas. The stove is installed and connected according to manufacturer clearance specifications, a separate power line is coordinated with an electrician where required by local codes, and I install the control panel and door hardware, including heat-resistant glass if the design includes a window or glass door. The floor is your choice—cedar slats over tile or a sealed concrete floor with a drain—and I complete any job with a full test run: checking door seal tightness, comfortable temperature of wood surfaces by touch, and even heating from floor to ceiling.
I take on small saunas for two people and spacious family projects alike, equally comfortable completing an already-framed rough box or starting from a bare frame. Materials, stove brand, and finish level are discussed in advance so there are no surprises in the final invoice, and after handover I leave simple written care instructions: ventilation between sessions, panel cleaning, and how often to check the door seal—so the sauna serves for years after I leave the site.
