Complete Guide to Buying a Traditional Finnish Sauna Online
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Quick Summary
This blog is all about what makes a traditional Finnish sauna different and how you can go about comparing the various kit options (heaters, wood, controls etc). It covers how to check out the seller and the warranty, how to plan your delivery, your wiring and your total cost. It concludes with a list of questions you should be asking yourself prior to checking out.
Introduction
Before you go and buy a Finnish sauna online you need to check four things. It needs to have a stone topped heater that can produce löyly. The heater's rated room volume has to be the same as your cabin. The warranty has to actually cover the purchase from that particular seller. Your wiring and your delivery arrangements need to be sorted too. Once you've got those in place then the rest is really down to personal preference. This guide will show you how to check each of those items off whether you're looking at saunas for sale or you're shopping for a home sauna kit. If you'd like to browse as you go, Heatison have a collection of sauna kits along with heaters and controls.
What makes a traditional Finnish sauna different?
A traditional sauna is a wood lined room with a heater on top of it, covered in stones. You heat up the room and then you pour water over the hot stones to create the löyly (the burst of steam and heat at the heart of the experience). As you have a ladle you can control the amount of löyly. Traditional Finnish saunas are typically around 80-90°C (176-194°F) but of course the bathers will set the temperature to their own preference.
Infrared cabins work in a completely different way. They heat you up directly rather than using stones so they don't produce löyly. They're a good product, just not a traditional Finnish sauna.
Buying a Finnish Sauna: Features That Signal the Real Thing
Look for a stone topped electric or wood burning heater with the benches set well above it and wood lining all the way around. A bucket and ladle are also essential. If the listing doesn't specify what type of heater is in the sauna then you need to ask before you buy. That one little piece of information is very telling.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Sauna Kits: Choosing the Right Format
Format drives everything else down the line from the wiring right through to the foundations. Here's the quick comparison.
| Format | Best suited for | Main advantages | What to verify |
| Indoor kit | Basements, spare rooms, garages | Protected from weather; often closer to your electrical panel | Ceiling height, floor surface, ventilation, heater clearances |
| Outdoor kit | Backyards and larger lots | Frees up interior space; styles range from barrel to cabin | Foundation, weather rating, permits, distance to power |
Outdoor kits raise all sorts of questions about foundations, weather and local rules. Our guides to the best outdoor sauna kits and the barrel vs cube sauna go into those in detail. For the indoor buyer you need to measure ceiling height and check the manual for floor and ventilation requirements prior to purchase.
What to Compare Before Buying: Wood, Size, Heater and Controls
Wood
Cedar and thermally modified woods are the most common and there are other species as well. Always ask for the species, the wall thickness and whether the manufacturer rate the wood for sauna use. Be very cautious of any listing that just says 'natural wood'.
Size
Capacity claims are invariably going to be for seated adults so do bear bench length and depth in mind as well. Size will also dictate your heater requirement. Harvia's guidance for instance starts at around 1kW per m3 and then adds on for the volume of glass and other uninsulated surfaces (Harvia support). Check each heater's rated room volume and allow yourself some headroom.
Heater
Electric heaters are the most popular option and will almost certainly require a dedicated 240 volt circuit. The wood burning heaters will of course bypass the need for the electrical run but will in turn add on the requirement for a chimney, clearance and ventilation. In either case you need to read the manufacturer's manual before you buy. Compare electric sauna heaters and wood burning sauna heaters on rated volume first and then on the features.
Controls
Some heaters have built in controls, others have separate wall mounted controls. You need to check compatibility in writing. At least one Harvia group warranty will exclude cross-branded heaters and controls (Thermasol warranty). You can view the heater controls once you've selected your heater.
How to Evaluate Online Sauna Retailers and Authentic Manufacturer Warranties
Start with who the product is sold by as the warranty cover will often be dependent on that.
Harvia's published warranty terms only cover new products sold directly by Harvia or through its authorised dealers so check your seller's status prior to payment (Harvia warranty terms).
Read the terms before you go to checkout, not after. Warranty periods for the same brand can vary by region, by product line and by use. Residential and commercial coverage can be very different and wear items (e.g. stones) will typically have a much shorter warranty or none at all.
Then compare retailers on facts you can check:
- Does the listing state the exact model, the rated room volume and the dimensions?
- Does the seller state its dealer status for each brand and will it confirm that in writing?
- Does the product page link to the manual and the warranty terms?
- Who takes the claims (the seller or the manufacturer) and who pays for the return shipping?
Freight Delivery, Electrical Preparation and Total Ownership Cost
Freight
Large kits generally come by freight rather than parcel. Find out whether it's a curbside delivery or one with a liftgate, what the carrier's delivery schedule is and whether the crate will fit through your gate. Check the goods prior to signing and make a note of any visible damage on the delivery note.
Electrical Preparation
The heater manual will have the voltage, amperage and clearance requirements. Pass it over to a licensed electrician prior to ordering as the wiring and permit requirements will be governed by local code. Wood burning heaters will of course have the same requirements with respect to chimneys and clearances.
Total Ownership Cost
The sticker price covers only part of the bill. Add up:
- The kit, heater, and controls
- Stones, plus basics like a thermometer, bucket, and ladle
- Foundation or room preparation
- Electrician and permit costs
- Freight
Ongoing costs are obviously going to be electricity or firewood and then some periodic replacement of stone as the stone will wear with use.
Where to Shop for a Sauna: Questions to Ask Before Checkout
Whether you’re browsing saunas for sale or comparing home sauna kits, send the seller these questions first:
- What heater actually comes with the sauna and what is its rated room volume?
- What type of wood and what wall thickness does the kit use?
- Does the warranty cover this purchase and can I have a copy of the current terms?
- Is it curbside or liftgate delivery? And what if the goods get damaged on arrival?
- What electrical ratings does the heater manual give?
- Which bits - stones, door hardware etc - can I pick up later?
Heatison have traditional sauna kits (along with heaters, controls and parts). You'll find the specs and the warranty details on each product page.
Final Thoughts
Buying a Finnish sauna online is all about verification. You've got to confirm the heater, the wood, the seller's warranty position and your own wiring and delivery arrangements before you even think about clicking. Once you've done that the choice of style becomes the fun bit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build the sauna kit myself?
Many people do, just be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. The heater wiring should be done by a licensed electrician.
Do I need a permit to install a home sauna?
Often the case with electrical work or with permanent structures. Rules will vary from place to place so it's worth checking with your local building department prior to ordering.
How long does a sauna take to heat up?
It all depends on the size of the room, the power of the heater, the insulation and the outside temperature. See the manual and allow the stones sufficient time to heat up before you pour the water.
How often do you need to replace your sauna stones?
Stones will crack and wear with repeated heating. Adhere to the heater manual's maintenance instructions and replace any damaged stones at the first sign of trouble.
Can I buy a heater separately from the sauna kit?
Often yes. Confirm the heater's rated room volume and its compatibility with your controls prior to ordering.