Imagine this: You’re relaxing in an infrared sauna outside and beautiful snow surrounds you while you enjoy the bliss of Mother Nature. Sounds like a fantasy? Heck no! Fortunately, the infrared sauna can be installed both indoors and outdoors. After all, our ancestors did it.
For thousands of years, the sauna was used to sweat out the gunk, promote health, and detach from the outside world. Installing a sauna outdoors is great for mindfulness, brain health, and connecting with nature. It takes the sauna to a whole new level.
Granted, there are pros and cons to using an infrared sauna outside. Use this guide to help you decide where to install your new sauna.
Where to Put an Infrared Sauna Outside
There are several factors to consider before purchasing an outdoor infrared sauna. Here are the main factors to consider before making a purchase.
Compatible Outdoor Outlet
Because infrared saunas run off electricity, having an adequate outlet to hook up your sauna is a major factor before purchasing.
If you have an outdoor GFI outlet, ensure it has enough capacity to power up your sauna. If you aren’t sure about this, reach out to the customer service of whatever company you are purchasing from to find out if your outlet is compatible.
Insulation
Not every sauna can be outside because of insulation. Often, the walls are thin and only suited for an indoor environment.
Before purchasing an outdoor sauna, make sure that the brand is properly insulated and can withstand your climate.
Be sure to read reviews and make sure not to buy from a company that makes cheaply made saunas. If you don’t get a proper sauna, the extreme heat or cold can significantly affect the temperature inside of the sauna.
That’s a big deal since the environment can affect the benefits that you get from the sauna. You don’t want to sit in your sauna shirtless and ice cold air is coming in! You’d miss out on the health benefits and it’d be uncomfortable.
Surroundings
If you have a well-insulated sauna and the outlet isn’t a problem, great! Now, where to put the dang thing?
You don’t want to put the sauna in a place that ruins the experience, such as the front yard. It’ll be hard to meditate when drivers and walkers revel in the sight of a detoxing meditator!
Get creative and find a spot that inspires you and heightens the experience. Consider putting it near your outdoor garden, or backyard, or face a lake or river if you have one in view.
Pros and Cons
Truthfully, there are advantages and disadvantages to having an infrared sauna outside. Weigh out the pros and cons for yourself before making a purchase.
Pros
- Surround yourself with outdoor beauty.
- Detach from indoor technology (it’s a lot!).
- No indoor space limitations.
- Natural lighting.
- It won’t heat the whole house.
- Requires little planning.
- Extra room in your house.
- Perfect addition to a grilling or other recreational outdoor area.
Being able to customize everything around your sauna is a huge benefit to having an infrared sauna outside. While there’s a lot that you can do with an indoor sauna if you have ample space, it’s not feasible for everyone.
Healthwise, getting natural sunlight inside of an infrared sauna outdoors can be a great part of your morning ritual.
According to Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman, getting natural sunlight first thing in the morning helps to set and regulate the circadian rhythm. That means higher energy and better sleep!
Cons
- Poor weather conditions can affect your experience.
- A sauna with poor insulation just won’t do it.
- Your local city ordinance may not allow it.
- Weather exposure increases maintenance expenses.
- May limit your privacy if the sauna faces neighbors or people in your house.
- There may not be an outdoor outlet available to power the infrared sauna outside.
While there are cons to having an infrared sauna outside, let’s face it, nothing compares to it. Going the traditional sauna route is an incredible way to connect with nature and experience nostalgia.
If you weatherize your sauna well and don’t live in a climate with rough weather, having an outdoor sauna could be perfect for you!
When everything outside is compatible with having your outdoor sauna, make sure to find out if you’re legally allowed to have one by checking the city ordinance. If you can’t find any info, just give them a call to find out.
Maintenance Tips for An Outdoor Infrared Sauna
With proper care, it’s amazing how long a high-quality sauna can last. The Rajaportin Sauna is the oldest in Finland and was built in 1906! Use that for inspiration to maintain your sauna regularly. Here are a few tips for maintaining an infrared sauna outside.
Before Each Session
Clean your feet if you choose not to shower beforehand to avoid getting sweat and dirt on the sauna floor. Doing this will help to avoid mold buildup over time.
Lay down a towel for you and your guests before using the sauna to reduce the amount of sweat that comes into contact with the wood.
Take a shower before entering the sauna to reduce the amount of dirt and bacteria that come into contact with the wood. Taking a shower will also open up your pores, helping to maximize the experience. Don’t forget to dry off completely before getting in.
No shoes! I’ll never understand people who walk into a sauna with shoes on, but I’ve seen many of them in the past public gym saunas that I’ve used. Honor the sacred sauna ground by being barefooted.
After Each Session
Wipe the sauna wood with a damp cloth. You want to avoid using typical home cleaners that can damage the wood and maybe even give it a funky cleaning smell. Instead, purchase an all-natural sauna cleaner. Remember to dampen the cloth and don’t soak everything.
Air out the sauna after finishing the cleaning process. Open all the vents and open the door of the sauna to air it out, get it nice and dry, and replenish it with life-supporting oxygen for the next use. It also helps to get rid of humidity – the ancient enemy of wood.
Empty out everything in the sauna. Absolutely nothing should be in the sauna, especially towels and shoes.
Maintaining the Exterior
Maintaining the inside of the sauna is fairly easy. It’s mostly just avoiding too much sweat, cleaning afterward, and airing it out. Easy peasy. However, if you use an outdoor sauna, keeping the exterior in good shape is super important.
Here are a few tips for maintaining the exterior:
- Clean surrounding debris, especially on the porch.
- Check the wood and roof for damage regularly.
- If you don’t have the time to repair your sauna, find a good service in advance.
- Treat the exterior wood with a wood-penetrating oil (never use on the inside!).
- Pressure wash it on an annual basis (check with the manufacturer first).
- Stain the wood every few years or so.
Before you stain the exterior of your sauna, make sure to contact your outdoor sauna’s manufacturer to find the right type of stainer.
Also, make sure to never use stainers inside of the sauna! While strainers are usually fine for the exterior, they often contain harsh chemicals that can be dangerous if breathed in.
Give Your Sauna a Seasonal Checkup
Sauna maintenance is easy and it only takes a couple of minutes or so of cleaning after each use. It’s always good to give it a seasonal check-up.
Here’s what to look for:
- Check if the floorboards are loose.
- Check for any mold in small, hidden places.
- Inspect the exterior roof and walls for any weather damage.
- Ensure that the benches are strong and steady.
- Check all of the seals to avoid unnecessary airflow.
- Check for any splinters in the wood and sand down if needed.
If it helps, consider creating a seasonal checklist for everything in your sauna. It only about 5 minutes or so for a complete inspection and a list will save you a lot of brainpower!
What I Would Personally Do
Truthfully, I live in an apartment right now, so there’s no way in heck I can have an infrared sauna outside right now. However, I can share what my personal decision would be.
If I had a home with a beautiful backyard and plenty of privacy, I would have an outdoor sauna. Getting sunlight first thing in the morning is an important part of my morning ritual, so I would be killing two birds with one stone by getting natural sunlight inside the sauna.
If I lived in a neighborhood with a good house and yard but had to face my neighbors while being in my sauna, I wouldn’t do it. Plus, the only other alternative would be to have it facing the wall of my house. Nope – not gonna do that.
The Final Verdict
Having an infrared sauna outside is one of the best things that you can do for your health and is a great way to start your day. Sunlight and sweating are very important for being healthy, so why not combine them both?
If you have any tips for having an outdoor sauna, I’d love to hear your experience in the comments below.