Barrel sauna / sauna barrel / barrel house

First sweat, then cool down and relax - a visit to the sauna is a soothing experience for many people, which can be easily realized with your own barrel sauna in the garden. A barrel sauna allows relaxing sauna hours directly at home, without complex installation. Simply buy the barrel sauna, prepare the installation site and set up the DIY kit - and you can treat yourself to your regular time out and leave everyday life behind.

A barrel sauna is a sauna in the shape of a barrel or barrel, which is why it is often called a barrel sauna. The vaulted walls of a barrel sauna create a cosy atmosphere and make the sauna barrel a real eye-catcher in the garden on the outside. Some models have a semi-circular shape or barrel roof, which gives them the appearance of a half-barrel. This construction method is characteristic and gives the barrel sauna its special charm.

The biggest advantage of a sauna barrel is the flexibility of setting it up. In contrast to other saunas, the sauna barrel requires little space thanks to its compact design, so that it can also be set up well in smaller gardens.

Due to the round shape of the barrel sauna, less room volume needs to be heated than with classic rectangular saunas. This shortens the preheating time and reduces heating costs.

Last but not least, the design is a big plus: With its unusual shape, a barrel sauna is a real eye-catcher and gives the garden that certain something. The barrel saunas are available in different sizes and designs, so that everyone can find their personal favourite model.

In terms of function, a barrel sauna does not differ from other saunas - the shape is the special thing here. The same temperatures can be reached in a sauna barrel as in a conventional sauna. The recommended sauna temperature is usually 90 °C, as it is comfortable for most people with low humidity.

Of course, you can set your personal feel-good temperature individually: Some prefer a moderate 60 °C, others love it when the barrel sauna reaches up to 100 °C. With your own barrel sauna in the garden, you can adjust the temperature as you like and make every sauna bath a personal feel-good experience.

Barrel saunas are available in different sizes and are therefore also suitable for gardens with limited space. On average, a sauna barrel measures between 2 and 2.5 metres in width, 1.5 to 4 metres in length and has a height of around 2.5 metres. For larger gardens, you can choose a model that offers more space – depending on the desired number of people who are to take a sauna at the same time. Longer barrel saunas usually offer more space on the sauna benches, so that several people can relax comfortably inside. There are also versions with a separate relaxation room or an open vestibule, ideal for storing clothes or accessories.

A sauna barrel weighs between 500 and 1,000 kg without a stove, depending on the construction and material. Barrel saunas are made of high-quality solid wood and are equipped with sturdy glass doors. The high dead weight ensures that the sauna barrel stands securely on the ground without the need for additional anchoring – which makes installation particularly uncomplicated.

Similar to a house, a sauna barrel also needs a foundation, the subsoil should be level and stable. Good locations can be a large terrace or a concrete area in the courtyard. However, on a frost-proof foundation or a floor slab, the sauna barrel stands particularly securely and is optimally protected from moisture. Soft floors or heavier sauna barrel models usually require a larger foundation. A concrete foundation also protects against rising damp and extends the life of the sauna.

Since a sauna barrel is usually equipped with a stove and is considered a recreation room, there may be a permit requirement in many municipalities. Whether a building permit is required depends on the respective cantonal building regulations. It is advisable to inquire with the responsible building authority whether a permit is required for a sauna barrel on your property.

However, electric sauna heaters make operation less complicated, as they usually do not require any additional acceptance and are available in different designs – from models with integrated to external control units. However, an electric sauna heater should always be connected by an authorized professional (electrician).

The durability of a sauna barrel depends on various factors, such as the type of wood, the quality of the material, the amount of maintenance required and the weather conditions on site. High-quality solid wood and boiler-impregnated floor beams contribute to the long life of a sauna barrel and ensure that it brings many years of enjoyment in the garden. Careful care and the right location can further extend the service life.