An outdoor barrel sauna is the latest must-have luxury addition to the US family home. Barrel saunas are available in kit form and make a useful and stylish addition to any back yard or garden. Here, we will find out more about barrel saunas, and why this style of outdoor sauna has become so popular in the US.
What is a barrel sauna?
It seems like practically all the US lifestyle magazines are obsessed with barrel saunas. As a result, you can find every size of barrel sauna for sale online and in specialist stores across the USA. But what exactly is a barrel sauna and how does it differ from a traditional one?
Put simply, a barrel sauna is a wood-framed outdoor sauna that is shaped and constructed like a barrel. It has two round ends joined by longitudinal planks of wood, typically red or white cedar. But don’t be fooled into thinking a barrel sauna is just a gimmick. Sure, it looks fun and funky, but there are practical benefits to its shape and its style of construction, too.
Efficient use of space
The problem with a traditional Finnish-style cabin sauna is that the rectangular or square design is full of corners that are unused and that constrain airflow. Using a barrel shape combats both of these issues at a single stroke.
Basic rules of physics dictate that a barrel sauna has 23 percent less space to heat than a cabin sauna on the same footprint. So it is faster and therefore cheaper to heat it up. Of course, the exact time it takes depends on the size of the sauna and the type of heater, but you can expect a typical two-person barrel sauna to be up to temperature inside 45 minutes, while the same sized cabin sauna is likely to take an hour.
Also, the curved sides allow for natural flow of air as the hot air close to the sauna heater rises and the higher air gradually cools, meaning better air circulation and a more even temperature throughout the sauna.
Easier home assembly
You can buy a barrel sauna in a flat packed kit that is lighter and easier to assemble than a cabin sauna. All you need is a basic toolkit, a willing assistant and a qualified engineer to deal with the electrical or gas installation, depending on the type of heater you choose. It means that you can have your barrel sauna unloaded, assembled and running in the space of an afternoon.
It is easier to build because a barrel sauna’s construction is much simpler. It does not have the extra layer of insulation found in a cabin sauna. Zero insulation might ring alarm bells, but that is just another clever aspect of its design. The cedar expands as the sauna heats up, thereby creating a tight seal in the ball and socket joins between the planks. Furthermore, any slight heat loss is more than compensated by the smaller volume, as mentioned earlier.
Minimal maintenance needs
Once you have assembled your barrel sauna there is really nothing else to do except relax and enjoy it. The curved shape provides natural protection against the elements, as rainwater is shed naturally as it lands and cannot accumulate. Even if you live in an area that has heavy winters, the structural integrity of barrel saunas is such that they can withstand a substantial load of snow.
Cedar has strong natural resistance to both water and insects, so it can essentially take care of itself. Having said that, you might choose to apply a coat of UV-resistant varnish for maximum longevity, and to keep your barrel sauna looking like new. Reapply every two years, or according to manufacturer advice. Beyond that, it is just a case of keeping it clean inside and out.
Affordable style and comfort
Let’s not forget the first thing that most people think when they see a barrel sauna. Its style is fun and contemporary, so it enhances the appearance of your backyard or garden. That extends to the inside, too. The curved walls make a barrel sauna a cozy and homely place to be. Given that the whole point of a sauna is relaxation, then comfort is a factor that should not be underestimated.
Finally, it is worth remembering that the availability of barrel saunas in kit form has made them far more affordable, at 20 to 30 percent of the cost of having a sauna designed and constructed from scratch. Barrel sauna kits start at around $5,000, making them a viable investment for more US households than ever before.
and then