A traditional sauna is a wood-lined room heated by a stove that warms a mass of stones. You throw water on the hot stones, and the steam that rises is called löyly. The room usually runs between 150°F and 195°F (about 65 to 90°C). The stove burns wood or runs on electricity. Either way, the principle is the same one Finns have used for centuries, which is why the terms traditional sauna and Finnish sauna mean the same thing.
Every sauna we sell is a traditional sauna. This guide explains how one works, how it differs from an infrared cabin, how to choose between wood and electric heat, and what the outdoor models cost today.
How a traditional sauna works
Three parts make a traditional sauna:
- The room. Wood walls, ceiling and benches, usually cedar. Our Canadian Timber saunas use Eastern White Cedar, and the Sweaty Yeti sauna houses use knotty cedar inside.
- The stove. A wood-burning firebox or electric elements heat the air and the stones.
- The stones. They store heat and turn a ladle of water into steam. More stone means softer, longer-lasting steam.
Heat rises, so the top bench is the hottest seat. In practice, you control the heat with the stove setting, the amount of water on the stones and where you sit. Our guide how hot should a sauna be covers temperature and steam in detail.
Traditional sauna vs infrared sauna
Infrared cabins are sold as saunas too, but they work differently. Instead of heating air and stones, infrared panels send radiant heat straight to the body.
| Traditional sauna | Infrared cabin | |
|---|---|---|
| Heat source | Wood or electric stove with stones | Infrared panels |
| Typical temperature | 150 to 195°F | 120 to 150°F |
| Steam (löyly) | Yes, water on the stones | Little or none |
| Works without electricity | Yes, with a wood-burning stove | No |
| Sold by Domaform | Yes, every model | No |
If you want hot air, steam on the stones and the option to heat with wood, you want a traditional sauna. For the full side-by-side, read infrared vs traditional sauna.
Wood-burning or electric: choosing the stove
The stove is the biggest decision after the sauna itself. Here are the four we sell, with current prices:
- Harvia KIP: electric, wall-mounted, thermostat and timer built in, $1,211
- Homecraft Revive: electric, Canadian-made stainless steel, 200 lbs of stone, from $2,986
- Huum DROP: electric with WiFi app control, 55 kg of stone, from $3,097
- TimberGlow 14: wood-burning, 3/16-inch steel firebox for 16-inch logs, 200 lbs of stone, from $2,339
Choose electric if
- you want to set a temperature and walk away, or preheat from your phone with the Huum DROP
- an electrician can run a dedicated hardwired circuit to the sauna
- you plan frequent short sessions
Choose wood-burning if
- the sauna sits far from power, at a cabin or on an off-grid lot
- you want the fire itself to be part of the ritual
- you can plan a chimney run and clearances around the stove
Most Canadian Timber saunas take either type. The Luna is the exception, because it is electric only. Before you order, check the heater size for your room in how to size a sauna heater, or compare the best heaters for a barrel sauna.
Outdoor traditional saunas and what they cost
You can buy a traditional sauna in two forms: a pre-cut cedar kit that you assemble, or a finished building delivered ready to use.
Cedar kits by Canadian Timber
Dundalk LeisureCraft builds these in Eastern White Cedar in Canada. Prices are for the sauna only, because you choose the heater separately. They ship free as curbside freight in the lower 48.
| Model | Shape | Seats | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| MiniPOD | Pod | 4 | $5,956.50 |
| Harmony | Barrel | 4 | $5,976.50 |
| Serenity | Barrel | 5 | $6,157.50 |
| Tranquility | Barrel | 6 | $6,513.50 |
| Elation | Barrel, flat floor | 4 | $6,975.50 |
| Granby, Palmer, Georgian | Cabin | see product page | $6,136.50 to $7,646.50 |
| Luna | Rounded cabin, electric only | 4 | $7,391.50 |
| Avalon | Cabin, three bench tiers | 3 to 4 | $11,344.50 |
Finished sauna houses by Sweaty Yeti
Sweaty Yeti builds insulated sauna houses to order in Utah, and every sauna comes with a HUUM Steel electric heater (or equivalent). Prices run from $29,700 for the 4 to 6 person Sweaty Yeti Sauna to $55,200 for the Sauna Plus Barrel Plunge with a cold plunge room. Each unit takes about 8 weeks to build and is set in place by the delivery crew, with the first 250 miles of transport included.
Shop by size: 4 person outdoor saunas or 6 person and larger. For the full budget with base, electrician and running costs, read how much an outdoor sauna costs.
What you need before a traditional sauna arrives
- A level base. A gravel pad, pavers or a concrete slab. Each product page shows the base size.
- Power for an electric stove. A dedicated 240V circuit installed by a licensed electrician.
- A chimney plan for a wood stove. A chimney run and the stove's clearances.
- A permit check. Ask your building department about the structure and the electrical connection.
FAQ: traditional sauna
Is a traditional sauna the same as a Finnish sauna?
Yes. Both terms describe a wood room heated by a stove and stones, with water thrown on the stones for steam.
Can you put water on the stones of an electric sauna heater?
Yes. Electric sauna heaters for traditional saunas hold stones for exactly that purpose. Use a ladle and small amounts of water, and follow your heater's manual.
Does a traditional sauna need electricity?
Not with a wood-burning stove. The TimberGlow 14 needs no electrical connection. An electric heater needs a dedicated hardwired circuit.
How hot does a traditional sauna get?
Usually 150 to 195°F. Many electric heaters sold in North America stop at 194°F because of the thermostat limit.
Indoor or outdoor?
Traditional saunas work in both places. We sell outdoor models. For the trade-offs, see indoor vs outdoor sauna.
Get help choosing
Tell us where the sauna will stand, how many people will use it and whether you have power nearby. We will suggest a model and a heater and confirm the delivered price. Call +1 (307) 309-8328 or browse all outdoor saunas and sauna heaters.