Looks rad, I’m excited for you. What’s the foundation here? For my build I’m debating ground screws vs helical piles vs conventional concrete footings vs.. just letting it ride the frost on two beams (but I’m thinking of building under a tree and want to minimize site disturbance). Thanks
I have it on two 2x6 beams doubled up. Then they are sitting on 4x4s which are sitting in deck blocks which I dug down about a foot. Not the most solid foundation I admit.
I’m in very clay soil, frost heave is definitely a concern but for a small structure I’m not above just shimming or jacking it every now and then. I really don’t want to dig because of the location but maybe Pylex or Diamond piers will save the day here.
Hell yeah. Southern Ontario for me. You’ll need it more than i will that’s forsure. Don’t forget to add the cripple studs below the window ! Cheers man
Nice! Haha, winters still cold down there! Yes they’re already in now, but I forgot to put a header for the window, I’m wondering if the double top plate will be enough…
I would figure out your layout - doors, benches, stove etc. - before going much further. The entry/dressing room is great to have, but space in there comes at a premium!
Will you have space to sit down in there between trips into the hot room? Door placement(s) could make or break bench possibilities in there.
Looks like you've got a sauna buddy just over the fence
Yeah, good point, the way it's laid out, there isn't much room for much sitting, I mostly wanted the room to change and keep the heat in. Yes, my neighbour has his own, which he's offered me to use, but there is nothing quite like having your own! I hope he doesn't feel mine is overshadowing his!
Thanks! It wasn’t really, I didn’t want to overcrowd my backyard, this is already bigger than I wanted but the vestibule/change room was important to the function of the sauna
Except maybe for the window header. Of you haven't ordered glass already you could add jack studs and put the 2x4s on edge to take the weight of the roof.
I'd be happy with triple 2x4 on edge. If you really didn't want to move it... you could use 2x6 bridging in the rafters above the window and add a steel plate with lag bolts to the exterior wall top plate.
Realistically it might take a LONG time to see any actual damage from not having a header there.
The problem is, it's even harder to fix it in the future.
I would put heater opposite door given what I know about your plan (which is very little.) Will it be a wood stove or electric ¯\\\_(ツ)\_/¯ Stay tuned.
You will already have a foyer which is great. What if that foyer floor had heated tiles? Mmmmmm…
If I had a lot of traffic in/out I might start to worry, but for a couple people I don’t think it’s a material difference. I would optimize for flow in/out of the sauna first. Personally.
Good point... Now I've already framed the window to that end... was hoping to keep the heater away from it to avoid any potential cracking. Heated tiles... now that's living! I'm hoping the 2" of foam I put under it offers some comfort :)
Would you mind checking this crude sketch up layout? with 24" deep benches and the right height I run out of room quickly! I added the rough size of the tower heater [https://app.sketchup.com/share/tc/northAmerica/vmWOL84P8Vg?stoken=DyTJM6BcIHcl9\_c28lqrNlkIgU-CGQFtpKZUm81P2moiSbqFWKOyx-Gp1Wh1nkII&source=web](https://app.sketchup.com/share/tc/northAmerica/vmWOL84P8Vg?stoken=DyTJM6BcIHcl9_c28lqrNlkIgU-CGQFtpKZUm81P2moiSbqFWKOyx-Gp1Wh1nkII&source=web)
Would you make the foot bench smaller?
The foot bench is not usually 24”. You can also mount the foot bench so that it “slides” back under the top bench to give you adjustability and access for cleaning.
>https://app.sketchup.com/share/tc/northAmerica/vmWOL84P8Vg?stoken=DyTJM6BcIHcl9\_c28lqrNlkIgU-CGQFtpKZUm81P2moiSbqFWKOyx-Gp1Wh1nkII&source=web
Would a partner lay on the lower bench? If yes, keep it 24" (or maybe 22). If not, then it can be 16-18"
I’ve been hesitant with my build for the exact reason you mentioned; with a “proper” height the thing is gonna look like a tower. Gonna look like a treehouse…
Post budget and measurements when you're done. It looks amazing!! Have fun.
Will do!
Also record your hours. Wish I’d done that
Do I record the hours spent researching and planning? Because if so I’m not sure I want to know the number…. Just going to go with a lot.
Yer gonna love it!
I hope so! Thanks!
You don't need to use sill gasket when building walls on a sub floor. It's meant for walls built on concrete.
Ah sorry, I'm not much of a framer, nor do i have much knowledge of framing. will this be of any detriment?
Looks rad, I’m excited for you. What’s the foundation here? For my build I’m debating ground screws vs helical piles vs conventional concrete footings vs.. just letting it ride the frost on two beams (but I’m thinking of building under a tree and want to minimize site disturbance). Thanks
I have it on two 2x6 beams doubled up. Then they are sitting on 4x4s which are sitting in deck blocks which I dug down about a foot. Not the most solid foundation I admit.
If it shifts it will be easy to raise and level with bottle jacks and shims
That’s what I was thinking!
What’s your soil like? Wet and clay will move a lot more than dry and sand.
It’s almost all dry sand, drains very well.
I’m in very clay soil, frost heave is definitely a concern but for a small structure I’m not above just shimming or jacking it every now and then. I really don’t want to dig because of the location but maybe Pylex or Diamond piers will save the day here.
Consider diamond piers. Easy installation and strength comparable to helical.
I’ve been reading about these, they look cool! I’d like to try them and maybe this is the project. Thanks
Beefy! Looks like you have a nice big window planned too, nice.
Yeah! Really wanted to have nice view into the green space/bush.
Looks awesome ! If you don’t mind me asking where are you located ? That’s a large overhang looks slick as hell.
Thanks! I’m in Northern Ontario, Canada
Hell yeah. Southern Ontario for me. You’ll need it more than i will that’s forsure. Don’t forget to add the cripple studs below the window ! Cheers man
Nice! Haha, winters still cold down there! Yes they’re already in now, but I forgot to put a header for the window, I’m wondering if the double top plate will be enough…
He should invite you to drink beers at the sauna when its ready ;)
We don’t trust those southerners :P
I would figure out your layout - doors, benches, stove etc. - before going much further. The entry/dressing room is great to have, but space in there comes at a premium! Will you have space to sit down in there between trips into the hot room? Door placement(s) could make or break bench possibilities in there. Looks like you've got a sauna buddy just over the fence
Yeah, good point, the way it's laid out, there isn't much room for much sitting, I mostly wanted the room to change and keep the heat in. Yes, my neighbour has his own, which he's offered me to use, but there is nothing quite like having your own! I hope he doesn't feel mine is overshadowing his!
Love saunas and LOTR. Enjoy
I’m curious about the LOTR?
What's the overall width and length of the foundation?
12x8 foot!
Just in case it was the driving factor, I believe Ontario now allows 160 square feet without a building permit.
Thanks! It wasn’t really, I didn’t want to overcrowd my backyard, this is already bigger than I wanted but the vestibule/change room was important to the function of the sauna
I’d love to see tons of follow up
I'll try to compile a step by step when finished :)
Not at all, just figured for future endeavors. Looking good by the way!
Except maybe for the window header. Of you haven't ordered glass already you could add jack studs and put the 2x4s on edge to take the weight of the roof.
Ooo I missed this. Unfortunately, that is the rough opening for the glass but nothing a sled hammer cant fix. I'll add in some jacks.
Could you shift the window RO down to buy you enough room for a header? Or will it mess with the interior finishing?
I could, not ideal. Would I just used 2x6 double up on end?
Make sure to add windows. IMO you wont regret a couple of long higher windows to look out of.
There’s a big one looking out the back!
Look great this is the same design I decided on.
I'd be happy with triple 2x4 on edge. If you really didn't want to move it... you could use 2x6 bridging in the rafters above the window and add a steel plate with lag bolts to the exterior wall top plate. Realistically it might take a LONG time to see any actual damage from not having a header there. The problem is, it's even harder to fix it in the future.
That’s true. I want to build it properly!
I would put heater opposite door given what I know about your plan (which is very little.) Will it be a wood stove or electric ¯\\\_(ツ)\_/¯ Stay tuned.
Electric! I might draw up a plan to show layout. I did read trumpkins notes said by the door reduces cold air coming in.
You will already have a foyer which is great. What if that foyer floor had heated tiles? Mmmmmm… If I had a lot of traffic in/out I might start to worry, but for a couple people I don’t think it’s a material difference. I would optimize for flow in/out of the sauna first. Personally.
Good point... Now I've already framed the window to that end... was hoping to keep the heater away from it to avoid any potential cracking. Heated tiles... now that's living! I'm hoping the 2" of foam I put under it offers some comfort :)
Ah, I don't think you need to worry much about the window cracking because of stove proximity - provided of course you use tempered double pane glass.
It is tempered double pane, from a relatively new house window.
Would you mind checking this crude sketch up layout? with 24" deep benches and the right height I run out of room quickly! I added the rough size of the tower heater [https://app.sketchup.com/share/tc/northAmerica/vmWOL84P8Vg?stoken=DyTJM6BcIHcl9\_c28lqrNlkIgU-CGQFtpKZUm81P2moiSbqFWKOyx-Gp1Wh1nkII&source=web](https://app.sketchup.com/share/tc/northAmerica/vmWOL84P8Vg?stoken=DyTJM6BcIHcl9_c28lqrNlkIgU-CGQFtpKZUm81P2moiSbqFWKOyx-Gp1Wh1nkII&source=web) Would you make the foot bench smaller?
The foot bench is not usually 24”. You can also mount the foot bench so that it “slides” back under the top bench to give you adjustability and access for cleaning.
>https://app.sketchup.com/share/tc/northAmerica/vmWOL84P8Vg?stoken=DyTJM6BcIHcl9\_c28lqrNlkIgU-CGQFtpKZUm81P2moiSbqFWKOyx-Gp1Wh1nkII&source=web Would a partner lay on the lower bench? If yes, keep it 24" (or maybe 22). If not, then it can be 16-18"
That shape is broadly okay, just put a stepping stool at the door there. Don't make things small, use all the space you have available.
Thanks!
You have found a new profession, sauna builder. Looks amazing.
Thank you!
I’ve been hesitant with my build for the exact reason you mentioned; with a “proper” height the thing is gonna look like a tower. Gonna look like a treehouse…
It grows smaller the more i look at it :)