Tahoe Sauna Company

04/09/2026

This is where Tahoe Sauna Company started — my backyard sauna build.

I'd been using the gym sauna for years and had gotten tired of the small, crowded space. Eventually I decided to build my own. I was not a builder.

So I spent a few months researching Finnish sauna design principles before ordering a pallet of materials from Home Depot. Then I figured it out as I went.

The structure: compacted gravel base, concrete deck blocks, pressure treated 2x6 floor framing with OSB on top, 2x4 stud walls, shed roof with proper shingles, house wrap, fiberglass insulation, t1-11 siding, and windows. Inside: aluminum foil v***r barrier with taped seams, air gap, cedar shiplap wall panels, redwood 2x4 benches, tile floor, and a Harvia electric stove.

Was it perfect? Not at all. Would I change a handful of things I did? Yes. But it's been running through Tahoe winters for 5+ years without any real issues.

The three things that actually matter:
1. Build it durable — weather-resistant structure, proper roof, good siding
2. Insulate it well — it should hit 170–200°F and hold it
3. Build it tall enough for two or three bench tiers so users sit in the hot zone above the stove

Get those three right and you'll have a good sauna. Want a great sauna? Reach out to us and we're happy to answer any questions about your future sauna.

03/27/2026

03/10/2026

The stove is the heart of your sauna. Which one is right for you?

Electric or wood-fired? Both have real advantages depending on your setup. Wood gives you that authentic loyly and eliminates the need for an electrical hookup — great for remote cabins or outdoor builds. Electric is convenient, controllable, and easier to install in most homes.

But heat source is just the starting point. Here's what else matters when choosing a stove:

→ Stone capacity (more rocks = softer, more stable steam)
→ Heat-up time (wood takes longer; electric can be scheduled)
→ Max temperature and kW rating relative to your room size
→ Heating element quality and durability
→ WiFi controls if you want to preheat remotely
→ Aesthetics — a HUUM Drop looks very different than a Harvia M3
→ Installation complexity and electrical requirements
→ Manufacturer support and warranty

We've worked with Harvia, HUUM, Narvi, and others across builds in Tahoe and beyond. Each has strengths. The right choice depends on your specific sauna — size, location, how you like to bathe, and your budget.

We've put together some guidance on stove selection here - toolkit.tahoesaunacompany.com/modules/heating-stoves

Want to learn more? Sign up for our newsletter or visit our website. Links are in our bio.

03/07/2026

What should a quality sauna cost? $5k or $50k?

A quality sauna doesn't have to cost $50k. But it also doesn't have to be a $2,999 kit that loses sacrifices energy efficiency and durability.

Here's the honest answer: a well-built sauna can cost anywhere from $5k to $50k. What drives that range isn't square footage alone — it's the decisions you make along the way.

At minimum, a quality sauna needs proper bench height, solid insulation, and basic ventilation. Get those right and you have a sauna that actually works.

Everything else is a tradeoff:
→ Phone-controlled electric stove or a manual switch?
→ Clear tongue-and-groove cedar or rustic fence plank cedar?
→ Full glass door with large windows or a simple wood door with a small picture window?
→ DIY sweat equity or a fully contracted build?
→ Do you need a floor drain?
→ Interested in a 'warm room' to relax between sauna sessions?
→ Do care what the floor looks like?

None of these are right or wrong answers. They're your answers — based on what you value, how you'll use the sauna, and what fits your budget.

We work with clients to help them figure out which decisions actually matter to them, which ones they can compromise on, and what that means for the final number.

A thoughtful $10k sauna built with the right fundamentals can perform the same as a $50k sauna!

Want to learn more? Sign up for our newsletter or visit our website. Links are in our bio.

03/05/2026

Wood-fired or electric — watch this and see why the choice matters more than you think. 🔥

Choosing a sauna heater isn't just about preference. There are real practical factors to work through:

• Do you have reliable access to dry, split hardwood?
• What's the capacity of your home electrical system?
• How quickly do you want your sauna ready to go?

Electric heaters are consistent, convenient, and easier to dial in. You set a temperature, you get a temperature. For busy households or commercial retreats, that kind of reliability counts.

But watch the clip - from a sauna we worked on last summer - there's something the specs don't capture. The crackle of a wood stove. The smell of birch or cedar smoke drifting out. The slow, deep, radiant heat that builds differently than electric. It's a different experience, not just a different heater.

Both have a place. The right choice depends on your site, your lifestyle, and what you want your sauna ritual to feel like.

We help clients think through both options when designing custom saunas across the Tahoe region and beyond.

Want to learn more? Sign up for our newsletter or visit our website. Links are in our bio.

03/03/2026

From an empty backyard to a custom sauna — here's how we make it happen.

A lot of people don't know what to expect when they reach out to us. So here's exactly what our design-build process looks like:

1. Quick phone call. We learn about what you're looking for — wood-burning vs. electric, size, budget, features. We give you honest recommendations based on your specific situation.

2. Site visit or video walkthrough. We look at your property in person or on a video call. We're thinking about window placement for views and privacy, how the sauna fits the scale and style of your home, foundation requirements, electrical infrastructure, and the small details that only come up when you're actually looking at the space.

3. Design package. We put together a 3D rendering and materials list. You review, give feedback, and we revise until it's right.

4. Build. We connect you with a trusted, licensed contractor to execute the design. We stay available throughout the build to answer questions and make sure things go smoothly.

These photos are from real projects at different stages — a site assessment, a foundation going in, a shed conversion mid-build, and a garage ready to be transformed. Every one started with a simple conversation.

Want to learn more? Sign up for our newsletter or visit our website. Links are in our bio.

02/28/2026

This sauna is buried under several feet of Tahoe snow — and it's working great!

Built to handle everything the mountains throws at it: heavy snow loads, freeze-thaw cycles, and years of hard use. That's not an accident — it's the result of intentional design and quality construction from the ground up.

A lot of sauna kits and prefab options are built to a price point, not a performance standard. Thin wall panels, undersized framing, and materials that weren't chosen with mountain climates in mind. They may look fine on day one. A few seasons of serious weather is where the difference shows up.

When we design and build a custom sauna, durability is part of the conversation from the start — roof pitch and load capacity, wall construction, door framing, material selection. The goal is a sauna that's still standing strong 20 or 30 years from now.

Want to learn more? Sign up for our newsletter or visit our website. Links are in our bio.

02/27/2026

We design custom, high-performance saunas—and when you’re ready to build, we can recommend a contractor to construct it.

What we do:

✅ Custom sauna design + specifications (layout, benches, materials, details)
✅ Heater sizing + ventilation planning (so it heats evenly and feels right)
✅ Build-ready plan set + materials list a contractor can price and build from
✅ Support during construction (answer questions, clarify details, adjust plans if needed)
✅ Outdoor sauna design for challenging climates (snow, rain, cold, moisture, durability)

How the design/build process works:

Tahoe Sauna Company provides the design.

Construction is completed by an independent contractor under a separate agreement with you.

We can help match you with a builder who fits your project and budget.

Our process:

Quick consult (location, indoor/outdoor, size, budget range, timeline)

Concept + layout (heater placement, benches, glass/door, flow)

Final plans + specs (materials list + build details)

Build support while your contractor constructs it

Where we work:

📍 Tahoe / Truckee / Reno + remote design anywhere in the U.S.

Want a quote?

Message us: Town + indoor/outdoor + rough size + budget range
…and we’ll reply with recommended next steps.

🔗 Learn more: tahoesaunacompany.com

02/26/2026

How much does it actually cost to run a sauna?

Electric sauna heaters are rated in kilowatts (kW). The math is simple:

🔢 Energy used = Heater size (kW) × Session length (hours)
💵 Session cost = Energy used (kWh) × Your electricity rate ($/kWh)

Real example: An 8 kW stove running for 2 hours uses 16 kWh. At the US average of ~$0.21/kWh, that's about $3.36 per session. Less than a cup of coffee.

Your rate is printed right on your electricity bill — or look it up at FindEnergy.com by zip code. Rates range from ~$0.10/kWh in states like Louisiana to over $0.30/kWh here in California. Worth knowing before you size your heater.

Note that kW is a max draw to reach the manufacturer recommended max temperature. After it hits the max temperature it will cycle off. So the actual cost will likely be less. The amount of electricity you draw will also be impacted by many other elements of your sauna design including insulation quality, ventilation, and size of windows/doors.

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