Sauna Installation
“My Almost Heaven Sauna is an oasis in the cold Canadian winter; I use it every day. I am impressed with the quality and the exceptional customer service.” B. Skibinsky, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Sauna Placement
Each of the Almost Heaven Sauna models can be used indoors or outdoors, and in both cases it is important that the surface is both level and firm. When setting the sauna outdoors, most people place the sauna on a wooden deck or slab of concrete. We recommend that both the Silo and Modern series be placed on a deck, concrete slab or pavers. Because the Barrel Sauna mounts on molded polymer cradles, it is able to set directly on the ground if you desire a totally natural placement. It is important that the installation surface is both firm and level – a slight slope for water runoff is fine – as an unstable surface could cause the sauna joints to loosen over time.
Minimizing Water Seepage
Substantial or driving rain showers may let some water seep into the joints between the staves, but this will in no way hurt the sauna since it is constructed of weather resistant Red Cedar. And, any moisture within the sauna will quickly dry out in the high temperatures when using your sauna. When assembling your sauna, it is important that the bands be snug to minimize gaps between the staves. When constructing the Barrel Sauna, it is important to put as many stave filler pieces in the top as possible so as to allow the bands to pull the staves tight without leaving gaps. Be sure to follow the installation instructions carefully in order to create the best seal possible.
The best way to keep moisture from seeping into the Silo or Modern Saunas is to purchase an optional sauna roof kit, and this is recommended when placing these models outdoors. This is a 1/8” thick piece of polyethylene plastic which can be tacked to the roof and then trimmed to the contour of the sauna and prevents the rain or snow from accumulating on the roof of the sauna. Alternatively, you can put any sort of a covering over the top of the sauna to achieve the same result.
Treating the Red Cedar
Left alone, Red Cedar will eventually turn a silver/gray color, which some people prefer. However, if you wish to retain the natural color of the cedar, you can treat the exterior of the sauna with any quality exterior transparent stain. Alternatively, you can use a 50/50 mix of linseed oil and rubbing alcohol that is brushed onto the wood and then wiped away with a rag. You will want to repeat the process every couple of years depending on your aesthetic tastes. Incidentally, at any time you can power wash an untreated sauna and bring back the natural color of the Red Cedar as well! You should NEVER treat the inside of your sauna with any stains or sealants as such materials could break down in the high interior temperature of the sauna and emit harmful fumes.
The Effects of Sunlight
Depending on the intensity of the sun in your region, the Red Cedar may weather to the silver/gray color more quickly. You can treat the wood according to your personal preferences, but the sunlight and hot weather will not damage your sauna. If you don’t treat your sauna, and in future years desire to bring back the original color of the wood, simply powerwash the sauna as you would a wood deck and the original color will return. Be careful when powerwashing the red cedar as it is a soft wood and too high of water pressure will cause the wood to splinter.
Band Tightening
When you first build your sauna you will want the bands snug but not overly tight. This is because the wood will swell over time and you don’t want to restrict it too much. It is a good idea to check the tension a month or two after setup and then on occasion thereafter. If it feels like the bands are loose, tighten the nuts a bit until the bands are snug. In the case of a Barrel Sauna, you want to use as many of the filler stave pieces as possible so as to minimize gaps as you tighten the bands. Save the extra filler staves that come with your sauna as you may desire to add them at some point in the future if you wish to tighten the seal of the wood.
Cleaning the Red Cedar
Over time the wood on the floor and seats of your sauna will discolor due to perspiration, dirt and general wear. You should vacuum or brush out your sauna periodically to remove the loose dirt, especially if it is located outdoors. You should also periodically scrub the floor, seats and wall sections that you lean against. This can be done with a mild detergent and water or a mixture of baking soda and water. Never use ammonia or harsh chemicals as they will discolor the wood. Heavy stains or wood scrapes can be removed by lightly sanding the damaged area. Also, you should periodically clean your bucket and ladle and only use fresh water for pouring over the sauna rocks.
Replacement of Sauna Stones
Over time your sauna stones will crack and split due to the fluctuation in temperatures. Your sauna heater came with some extra stones for you to set aside for future use, but if you ever want to replace your sauna stones, it is very easy to do so. We offer 50lb boxes of sauna stones that can be purchased as replacements for existing sauna heaters. Never use regular stones in your sauna heater but only the stones that come with the heater. Almost Heaven Saunas offers replacement sauna stones if additional or new stones are needed.
Self-Closing Door
The door on your Almost Heaven Sauna is attached to the sauna room with self-closing stainless steel hinges. You can tighten the tension on the hinges by means of a hex wrench that is included with your sauna kit. Insert the wrench in the hole at the end of the hinge, find the adjusting nut, and then increase the tension by turning the wrench clockwise. Each hinge comes with a set screw that must be inserted after adjusting the tension. The set screw will prevent the tension from loosening, and without it the hinge will not hold its tension. It is important to position your sauna in such a way that the wind will not swing the door open, as a fully tightened hinge will not necessarily prevent a strong wind from forcing the door open.