Cedar Sense Articles
Barrel Sauna Buying Guide: 7 Things to Check Before You Buy
A barrel sauna is one of the best ways to get a real sauna in your backyard. The round shape heats up fast, sheds rain and snow, and looks great on a deck or patio. But barrel saunas are not all built the same. Here’s what to look at before you buy, from the wood and the floor to the roof, the heater and how it gets to your yard.
1. The wood
Most barrel saunas are made from one of three woods:
- Western Red Cedar. The classic. It smells great, resists rot and insects naturally, and stays comfortable to touch when it’s hot. Grade matters: look for clear or knotty grades that are dried and sorted, not just “cedar.”
- Thermo-Spruce or Thermo-Pine. Wood that’s been heat-treated so it holds up to moisture and weather. SaunaLife builds its Ergo barrels from Thermo-Spruce.
- Pacific cedar and hemlock. Common in barrel sauna kits from larger brands.
2. Stave thickness and the bands
The staves are the long boards that make up the barrel. Thicker staves hold heat better and stay tighter over the years. Setri’s barrels use 1.2″ Western Red Cedar staves. The bands that hold the barrel together should be stainless steel and adjustable, because wood swells and shrinks with the seasons and you’ll want to snug them up.
3. The floor
Many barrel saunas have a curved floor that follows the barrel. It works, but it’s awkward to stand on. A flat floor is easier and safer to walk on. Setri barrels have flat cedar floors with removable sections and screened drains, so cleaning is simple.
4. The roof
A bare barrel will shed water, but a roof makes it last longer. Shingles are the standard. A metal roof sheds snow and rain fast. Look at how the roof edges are finished: winged edges carry water off past the staves instead of letting it run down the sides.
5. Size: how many people, really?
Barrel sizes are usually listed as diameter by length, like 6′ x 6′. As a rough guide from our lineup:
| Size | Seats | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 6′ x 4′ | 2 | Couples, small yards |
| 6′ x 6′ | 4 | Most families |
| 6′ x 8′ or 7′ x 6′ | 6 | Bigger families, friends over |
| 7′ x 8′ | 8 | Groups, rentals |
| 6′ x 12′ or 7′ x 12′ | 6 to 8, plus a changing room | Year-round use in cold climates |
A front porch or changing room adds space to sit, cool off and change, which is a big deal in winter.
6. The heater
Electric, Wi-Fi electric, wood or gas: the right choice depends on power at your site and how you want to use the sauna. We wrote a whole guide on it: how to choose a sauna heater.
7. Kit or fully assembled?
A kit ships flat and you build it, which saves on shipping and works well if you’re handy. A fully assembled barrel shows up ready to heat. You need clear access to your spot, but there’s nothing to build.
From our shop: our Setri barrel saunas are built in Northern Minnesota and we deliver them fully assembled anywhere in the USA. Our team sets it on your base and walks you through it. Since 2019 we’ve delivered saunas to customers in more than 40 states, so we’ve seen just about every driveway, gate and backyard you can imagine. Send us photos or a video of the path to your spot and we’ll bring the right equipment.
Barrel saunas we recommend
Built in Minnesota, delivered fully assembled
2 Person Barrel SaunaFrom $6,490
4 Person Barrel SaunaFrom $7,490
6 Person Barrel Sauna with Front PorchFrom $9,490
8 Person Barrel Sauna with Changing RoomFrom $14,490
4-Person Barrel Sauna with Front PorchFrom $7,490
6 Person Barrel Sauna with Front PorchFrom $8,490Kits and other brands
2 Person Barrel Sauna KitFrom $4,390
4 Person Barrel Sauna$8,999
4 Person Cedar Barrel SaunaFrom $6,390Your checklist
- Pick the wood you want and check the grade.
- Look for thick staves and stainless, adjustable bands.
- Choose a flat floor if you can.
- Add a roof, and check how the edges shed water.
- Size for how many people will actually use it, plus a porch or changing room for winter.
- Pick a heater that matches the power at your site.
- Decide on kit or fully assembled, and check delivery access.
Barrel sauna questions
How long does a barrel sauna last?
A well-built cedar barrel sauna with a roof, a good base and a little seasonal care can last many years. Keeping it off the ground, tightening the bands and treating the outside help the most.
What do I put a barrel sauna on?
A level base: a concrete pad, pavers, compacted gravel or a sturdy deck. It needs to be level and drain well.
Do barrel saunas work in winter?
Yes. The round shape heats quickly, and a roof, a porch or a changing room makes winter use even better. We’re in Minnesota, so ours get used all winter.
Can a barrel sauna be delivered fully assembled?
Yes. Our Setri barrel saunas are delivered fully assembled anywhere in the USA. Call us for lead time.
Questions? Talk to a real person.
Cedar Sense is a family sauna business in Waubun, Minnesota. Since 2019 we’ve sold and delivered hundreds of saunas to customers in more than 40 states. Call or text 218-760-2041 or send us a message.
