What is a barrel sauna?

A barrel sauna is a cylindrical outdoor sauna shaped like a barrel lying on its side. The round shape heats faster than a square cabin of the same size and lets rain and snow run straight off. Northern Lights barrel saunas are handcrafted from clear Western red cedar, which naturally resists moisture, warping and decay outdoors.

How much does a barrel sauna cost?

A cedar barrel sauna typically runs from around $5,000 for a compact two-person model to $15,000 or more for larger units with a change room and a premium heater. Price depends on size, wood grade and heater type.

How long does a barrel sauna take to heat up?

Most cedar barrel saunas reach 150 to 185°F in about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on heater size and outdoor temperature. Because a barrel has less air volume and no corners, it heats faster and more evenly than a square room of the same size.

What are the disadvantages of a barrel sauna?

The main trade-offs are slightly less usable wall space than a square cabin, the need for a flat and level outdoor location, and occasional exterior upkeep. Choosing clear Western red cedar and a correctly sized heater helps prevent warping, leaks and slow heating.

Can I build my own barrel sauna, or should I buy a kit?

You can build one from scratch, but most people choose a precut kit. Northern Lights barrel saunas ship as labelled, ready-to-assemble kits that two people can usually assemble in a few hours using basic tools.

How do you move a barrel sauna?

Thanks to its cradle base, a barrel sauna can usually be lifted and relocated in one piece by several people or with light equipment. For long-distance moves, the steel bands can be loosened so the cedar staves can be taken apart and reassembled at the new location.

How long does a cedar barrel sauna last?

With basic care, a clear Western red cedar barrel sauna can last 15 to 20 years or more. Cedar naturally resists rot, mildew and insects, while the barrel shape sheds water. Upkeep generally involves covering it when appropriate and refreshing the exterior finish every few years.

What are the benefits of a cedar sauna?

A cedar sauna provides relaxation, muscle recovery, improved circulation and stress relief, along with the advantages of Western red cedar. Cedar resists moisture and warping, stays comfortable to the touch and produces a natural aroma without synthetic glues.

What is the healthiest type of sauna?

All traditional saunas deliver similar core benefits, so the healthiest choice depends on the materials and type of heat you prefer. A traditional cedar sauna uses naturally antimicrobial Western red cedar, while infrared saunas operate at lower temperatures and warm the body directly.

Are cedar barrel saunas good for cold or wet climates?

Yes. Clear Western red cedar handles temperature changes and damp weather well because it resists warping, rot and mildew. The barrel shape also allows rain and snow to run off, making cedar barrel saunas suitable for year-round outdoor use.

Do you ship cedar barrel saunas across North America?

Yes. Northern Lights handcrafts cedar barrel saunas in Canada and ships across Canada and the United States. The sauna arrives as a labelled, precut kit ready for assembly.

Where can I buy a cedar barrel sauna?

You can buy directly from Northern Lights. The company handcrafts cedar barrel saunas in Canada and ships them across North America. Customers can browse the cedar barrel sauna range or contact the team for help selecting a sauna size and heater.

General Articles

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Dos & Don'ts of Installing a Home Sauna

Have you been looking at different saunas for your home to improve your health and well-being? You might be wondering what type of sauna is best. Should you pick one that goes inside your home, or is an outdoor sauna better? Are there any safety issues to know about? Here are some dos and don'ts of installing a home sauna to help you make an informed decision.

Do: Understand the differences between indoor and outdoor saunas.

Selecting an indoor or outdoor sauna and deciding on the design involves considering several factors. These include the source of heat—whether you prefer the traditional heat and wood scent from a wood-burning sauna, which is suitable only for outdoor use, or the versatility of a traditional sauna with an electric stove, which can function both indoors and outdoors with the proper connections. Alternatively, if a milder heat from an infrared sauna appeals to you, note that it should be installed indoors.

Another factor is the style and design. Would you like a traditional, rustic look or something modern with automated features? Think about the size and capacity as well. What is the maximum number of people who will be using it? Saunas for home come in different sizes, accommodating 1, 2, 4, 6, or more people.

Don’t Choose your sauna too hastily.

If you're very eager to buy a sauna for your home and ready to start your new health plan, it's easy to buy the first sauna that looks nice. We suggest you hold back a bit and think. Take some time to pick the best sauna for your needs. Ask yourself these questions before you decide on a sauna:

What are my health goals?
How many people will use the sauna?
How much should I budget for a home sauna?
Will my power source be suitable for an indoor or outdoor sauna?
Is a cedar barrel sauna better suited for my needs than a traditional square sauna?

If you need help, contact Northern Lights Cedar Saunas at 1-800-759-8990 and let us guide you toward finding the perfect saunas for your home.

12 foot Barrel Sauna with Full Change Room

home barrel saunas

Looking for the largest sauna on the market? This Barrel sauna actually has a full change/sitting room inside with a second interior door to enter into the 8’ in length by 7’ diameter sauna room. This is a great family sauna room and can accommodate more people and different temperature zones. In fact by opening the interior door you can comfortably seat 6-8 people in the main sauna and 4 people in the second room for a total of 10 people. The interior entry room is ideal for changing, cooling off or just socializing. It comes complete with 2 seats. This room is also great for very cold climates and provides a buffer zone between the exterior cold and the interior sauna room. In this way opening the main sauna door does not cause a drastic drop in temperature in the sauna zone.

The 12’ sauna was inspired by our commercial sauna design and our engineers were asked to make a residential scaled down version of our larger 20’ x 8’ commercial sauna. The inside of the main sauna is identical to our best-selling 8’ by 7’ diameter sauna room. Heating options are also the same with the wood fired sauna stove option or the large 7.5 Kw electric sauna heater. Lights in both room are provided and assembly is designed for any DIY with detailed instruction and top customer support.

Same quality found in all our sauna rooms! Unlike other sauna manufactures we always put quality first, this includes 100% stainless steel components including our heaters and all hardware, as well as 100% clear grade ‘A” Western Red Cedar. The 12 foot clear cedar boards come at a premium but we refuse to use any wood that has knots as our experience has shown that second grade lumbers such as those with knots will never stand up to the quality of clear western red cedar! This is one reason why we have been in business for over 20 year.