Our Sauna Project

In recent years my partner Robin and I have developed a taste for saunas.  Apart from hotels, expensive spas and local public swimming baths with tricky timetables, we found there were very few affordable saunas near enough to where we live for us to enjoy on a regular basis.  Then one day we had the bright idea of converting the lean-to 6’ x 4’ cedar greenhouse in our garden into a sauna.

From greenhouse to sauna

The greenhouse sits in the shade of numerous trees and we struggled to get tomatoes to ripen as any warmth from the sun was filtered through an increasingly thick canopy of leaves.  So, the decision was made, and Robin set about researching the fine detail of designing and building a sauna, removing the glass, strengthening the structure, and adding in high quality insulation and timber panelling inside and out.  He stained the exterior walls black to match our fence and added a slatted timber roof which we’ve allowed to weather naturally.  He retained one small window so we can look out onto the garden from inside the sauna.

Location location

We enjoy the fact that the sauna is a short distance from the house which helps us leave behind the stresses and strains of the day – and our phones.  We have a garden tap just outside the door and use the garden hose to cool ourselves down when needed.  (We’ve no plans for an ice bath.)

Sauna power

The sauna heater runs off electricity.  We live in the city where wood burner stoves are prohibited.  The space inside is compact (room for two friendly folk) and it heats up from cold in about forty-five minutes in summer and closer to an hour in the depths of winter.  One soft lamp under the bench gives a warm glow at night with light bouncing off the honey-coloured timber panelling, adding to the feeling of well-being and calm.

The cost of running our sauna

We use the sauna several times a week and reckon it costs around £1.75 a go (March 2026 prices) which feels like excellent value for money, especially when you compare it to a hot tub.  Maintenance is minimal – we wash it out regularly by hosing the seats and floor and give the window a clean from time to time.  It’s certainly not what you would call high maintenance.  We enjoy it in both summer and winter here in Scotland.  In either season there are days when what you need is to warm yourself through to your bones and our wee sauna achieves just that.

Sauna accessories

Small accessories have allowed us to entertain each other with sauna-related birthday and Christmas presents: a thermometer, a sauna sand timer, a wooden headrest, two felted sauna hats (we look like garden gnomes in them but they help prevent our heads overheating).  But we could have managed fine without these.  A sauna really doesn’t need much paraphernalia. Simplicity is key.

Sauna health benefits

It is generally suggested that saunas do amazing things for your health.  I’ll leave it up to the scientists and health experts to argue over the statistics.  But I would happily eat my beautifully felted sauna hat if it turns out regular sessions in a really warm place, in a frequently chilly country, where you can switch off and re-set and leave your worries behind for a while, is not fabulously good for you.