Should You Build an Indoor or Outdoor Sauna?

One of the first decisions when planning a home sauna is where to put it.

For some properties, an indoor sauna is the natural choice, integrated into a bathroom, basement, home gym or dedicated wellness space. For others, an outdoor sauna creates an entirely separate experience and can become a focal point of the backyard.

Both can deliver an exceptional sauna experience. The right choice ultimately comes down to your property, available space, how you plan to use the sauna and the type of environment you want to create.

At ELU – Sauna Design + Build, we design and build both indoor and outdoor saunas throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Here are some of the key considerations we discuss with homeowners when deciding between the two.

Indoor Saunas

An indoor sauna can be incorporated into an existing room or designed as part of a larger renovation.

Basements, bathrooms, home gyms and unused areas of a home can all be excellent locations. For homeowners already renovating, a custom sauna can also be designed alongside the rest of the space rather than treated as a separate addition.

Advantages of an Indoor Sauna

Convenience

An indoor sauna is only a few steps away. There is no need to walk outside during a Canadian winter, making it particularly convenient for frequent use.

Integration with bathrooms and wellness spaces

One of the biggest advantages of an indoor sauna is the ability to incorporate it into a larger environment.

A sauna beside a shower, cold plunge or relaxation area can transform an ordinary bathroom or basement into a complete home wellness space.

Efficient use of existing space

An indoor sauna doesn’t necessarily require a large room. With thoughtful design, relatively compact areas can accommodate comfortable bench layouts and appropriately sized heaters.

No exterior structure required

Because the sauna is constructed within the existing home, there is no need to build a separate weatherproof structure, foundation or exterior envelope.

What Needs to Be Considered?

Indoor sauna construction requires more than simply adding cedar to an existing room.

Proper insulation, vapour barrier, ventilation, electrical requirements and appropriate sauna materials all need to be considered during the design and construction process.

The amount of glass is another important consideration. Large glass walls can create a beautiful, open appearance, but glass also increases the effective volume of the sauna and needs to be accounted for when selecting the heater.

Outdoor Saunas

An outdoor sauna offers a very different experience.

Rather than incorporating the sauna into your home, it becomes its own destination — whether positioned beside a pool, integrated into a landscaped backyard or designed as part of a larger outdoor living space.

For many homeowners, the walk outside and change in environment become part of the sauna ritual itself.

Advantages of an Outdoor Sauna

A dedicated sauna environment

An outdoor sauna creates separation from the house and can provide a more immersive experience.

Stepping outside on a cold evening and entering a hot sauna is part of what makes outdoor sauna use particularly enjoyable.

Greater design flexibility

Because you’re not necessarily constrained by an existing room, outdoor saunas can often be designed around the ideal interior dimensions, bench configuration and window placement.

Depending on the property, they can also incorporate features such as covered entries, larger windows or attached change rooms.

A feature within the landscape

A thoughtfully designed outdoor sauna can become an architectural element within the backyard rather than simply another structure.

Exterior materials, rooflines, windows and finishes can be selected to complement the home and surrounding landscape.

Keeps the sauna separate from the house

For homeowners who don’t have an appropriate interior location — or simply don’t want to sacrifice indoor square footage — an outdoor sauna provides another option.

What Needs to Be Considered?

Outdoor saunas need to be designed for year-round Canadian conditions.

Insulation, weatherproofing, roofing, exterior materials and the foundation all become important considerations.

The distance from the home’s electrical panel also matters, as a licensed electrician will need to provide the appropriate electrical supply for the sauna heater.

Site access, setbacks and local requirements should also be reviewed before construction begins.

Indoor vs. Outdoor: Which Is Better?

There isn’t a universal answer.

If you have an underused area inside your home or are already planning a bathroom, basement or wellness-space renovation, an indoor sauna may make the most sense.

If you have available backyard space and want the sauna to feel like a separate destination, an outdoor sauna can create an experience that is difficult to replicate indoors.

Some of the most important questions to consider are:

• Where do you have usable space?
• How frequently do you expect to use the sauna?
• Do you want the sauna connected to a shower, cold plunge or bathroom?
• How much interior space are you willing to dedicate to it?
• What is available in the backyard?
• Do you prefer convenience or a more separate sauna experience?
• How will the sauna fit into the overall design of your home or property?

The answers usually make the indoor-versus-outdoor decision much clearer.

Start With the Property, Not the Sauna

A well-designed sauna should feel like it belongs where it was built.

That means considering more than the dimensions of the sauna itself. Sightlines, existing architecture, available space, window placement, bench configuration, heater sizing and how you move through the space all contribute to the finished experience.

At ELU – Sauna Design + Build, we design custom indoor and outdoor saunas around the property and the way each homeowner intends to use the space.

If you’re considering adding a sauna to your home and aren’t sure whether an indoor or outdoor design makes the most sense, we’d be happy to discuss your property, available space and the different options.

Explore our Indoor Saunas and Outdoor Saunas, view our recent Projects, or contact ELU to start planning your sauna.