Before You Buy
Buying an outdoor sauna is a significant investment. We want you to feel completely prepared — from site selection to heater choice to electrical requirements. Here is everything you need to know.
The placement of your sauna matters more than most people realize. Think about proximity to your home — you will be walking to and from the sauna in all weather conditions, including Minnesota winters. A shorter walk in the cold is always better.
Consider privacy, views, and how the sauna will look from your home and yard. A sauna tucked into a natural setting with trees or landscaping around it creates a much more immersive experience than one placed in the middle of an open yard.
Also think about electrical access. Your sauna requires a 240V dedicated circuit run by a licensed electrician. The closer your sauna is to your home's electrical panel, the simpler and less expensive that run will be.
Your sauna needs a stable, level base to sit on. This is your responsibility to prepare before delivery, and getting it right makes a significant difference in the long-term performance and appearance of your sauna.
The most common and recommended base is a compacted Class V gravel pad, typically 4 to 6 inches deep. All topsoil and organic material should be removed first — you do not want your sauna sitting on anything that will settle, shift, or promote decay over time. A concrete pad or existing patio is also an excellent option if you have one available.
Most popular option. 4–6" of compacted Class V gravel on a cleared, level base. Cost effective, drains well, easy to install yourself or hire out.
Premium option. Level, stable, and permanent. If you already have a suitable concrete area your sauna can be placed directly on it.
Suitable for relatively flat ground. Tundra Saunas sit on pressure treated skids that can rest on properly leveled deck blocks.
If you have a level patio of pavers or concrete, this can work well. Confirm it is level and can support the weight of the sauna.
Our standard Frontier model has a 6×6 exterior footprint — roughly 5×5 on the interior. This is the right size for one to three people comfortably, with upper and lower bench seating along the back wall.
If you regularly entertain or want more space, we can build custom sizes. Larger saunas take longer to heat and require more electrical capacity, but they also accommodate more people and create a more social experience.
This is one of the most common questions we get and the answer depends on how you want to use your sauna and what your property allows.
Our standard — Harvia KIP60B 6kW. Simple push-button control, heats up in 30–45 minutes, no wood to source or manage. Requires a 240V dedicated circuit. Best for frequent, convenient use.
Traditional Finnish experience. Requires sourcing and storing firewood, longer heat-up time, and a chimney assembly. No electrical hookup needed for the heater itself. Best for the authentic experience and off-grid properties.
All electric Tundra Saunas require a 240V dedicated circuit installed by a licensed electrician. This is not included in the sauna price and is the responsibility of the buyer to arrange.
Your electrician will run a dedicated circuit from your home's electrical panel to the sauna location. The sauna arrives pre-wired with the wire exiting the exterior wall — your electrician simply connects it to the panel and installs the appropriate breaker.
Your sauna's exterior color is one of the most visible decisions you will make. Tundra Saunas are finished with Pittsburgh Paramount exterior satin paint over LP SmartSide engineered wood — a durable, weather-resistant combination built for Minnesota's freeze-thaw cycles.
We offer several standard colors and can accommodate custom colors for an additional fee. Our standard colors are selected to complement natural outdoor settings and look great year-round.
The Frontier is our standard model but we are happy to discuss customization. Common add-ons and upgrades include:
Tundra Saunas are built at our shop in Ham Lake, MN and delivered to your property by a professional third-party moving company. Delivery and placement is quoted separately based on your location and site conditions.
Before scheduling delivery, make sure your site is prepared and level. Also consider the access route — the moving equipment needs adequate clearance to reach your sauna's final location. Let us know about any tight gates, low overhead obstacles, or steep grades during the quoting process so we can plan accordingly.
Permit requirements for outdoor saunas vary significantly by municipality. In general, smaller structures on skid foundations that are not permanently attached to the ground are often treated as moveable structures and may not require a permit — but this varies by location and you should always check with your local building department before installation.
Electric saunas almost always require an electrical permit pulled by your licensed electrician. Your electrician will handle this as part of their work.
A Tundra Sauna is built to be low maintenance, but a small amount of regular care will keep it performing and looking great for decades.
We are happy to walk you through anything you are not sure about. Reach out and we will get back to you within 24 hours.
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