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The height of sauna benches and other dimensions that worry sauna builders. The question is important, as both the sauna's dimensions and the height of the benches affect how the sauna experience feels. In this article, we will focus on the dimensioning of garden saunas and sauna cabins.
The range of outdoor saunas has expanded hugely in recent years. Minimalism and small saunas have become more common, but many have ultimately been disappointed with the sauna bathing experience in the smallest barrel and trailer saunas.
As a general rule, it's not advisable to build a sauna that is too small or too low.
Article content:
This is how to choose the right height and other dimensions for the sauna benches
The height of the sauna benches was historically determined by the well-known folk tradition of the “law of löyly”.”
When you sit on the benches, make sure the löyly stones are at toe level and the roof is just within reach of the whisk.
– Sakari Pälsi (1882-1965), Finnish archaeologist, explorer and ethnologist.
The wisdom of folklore is not pulled out of thin air, as for the dimensioning of a sauna and its benches, two key aspects are sufficient air space and that the benches are sufficiently high:
- When the roof is high enough (well within reach) there is plenty of air, and natural air circulation ensures a comfortable environment in the sauna.
- When the shelves are high enough (the sauna stones are level with the toes) the steam descends comfortably so that the feet and toes also get their share of the heat and there is no need to sit in the sauna with cold toes.
A protective wall installed around the sauna heater heats the air more widely
One shouldn't take the old law too rigidly, as the same goals can be achieved with a bit “less”. The main thing is good and soft löyly.
For example The height of the benches it could also be some Below the top of the sauna stove, as long as the sauna has a sufficiently sized heater. If a heater is also installed around it protective wall, The air circulation around the hot sauna stove intensifies. This results in the warm air distributing more evenly throughout the space, right down to floor level.
4 main reasons why a sauna shouldn't be built too small or too low:
- Shortage of something Too little ventilation can easily lead to oxygen deficiency in a sauna. When this happens, the bather will soon start to feel anxious or weak and will want to get out of the sauna.
- Too sharp and dry steam: A small sauna stove is worse for löyly (steam from water thrown on stove stones) than a large one. When there are few stones, the löyly is sharp and brief – especially with electric stoves, it's also dry. A large amount of stones, on the other hand, provides appropriately hot, but lingeringly soft, moist löyly.
However, one is compelled to choose a small heater for a small sauna. The size of the heater must be proportional to the size of the sauna, not only so that the heater fits sensibly in the sauna, but also because a large heater in too small a space will heat the space too much.
- Air circulation A wood-burning stove promotes natural air circulation in the sauna, but on the other hand, a large stove consumes more oxygen from the space. For this reason too, a larger stove does not work in a small sauna.
- Settling in If the sauna is also intended for washing, space is needed for safe washing.
Satisfactory ventilation, in addition to suitable airspace It is essential that there is enough oxygen and the temperature remains suitable. Gravity-driven ventilation is the most commonly used ventilation solution in outdoor saunas. It works brilliantly, especially in wood-fired saunas, as the stove acts like an efficient ventilation fan, drawing air from the room for combustion. The combustion products are then removed through the chimney.
Those interested in more detailed information should read the article found on the Saunology pages. about the gravity ventilation of a sauna.
Suitable sauna and bench heights – precise recommendations from a professional
Ehtalla has solid experience in building garden saunas and we pay special attention to how to achieve the best possible sauna steam.
We recommend the sauna for at least 220–240 cm ceiling height. The starting point is that the higher, the better. If washing is done in the sauna, a high ceiling makes washing more pleasant as well, as the temperature difference between the floor level and the bench height is greater.
The dimensions of the benches are started from the top, to ensure sufficient seating space and that the steam from the sauna spreads effectively for the bathers. The appropriate height of the space between the ceiling and the top bench is 100-120 cm – but always under 125 cm. A gap is recommended between the upper and lower bench slats 40-45 cm. After this, at least one step or stool is usually needed before the floor. A suitable step height is 30-35 cm.
The recommendations are based on criteria such that:
- The seats must have enough space (in height) to sit and move comfortably.
- The airspace and altitude allow for good ventilation.
- In a sufficiently high sauna, it's easier to breathe, as the steam disperses better in the space.
Sauna width and other dimensions
The other sauna dimensions are derived from assessing the sauna's intended use. The following questions will help clarify your needs:
- How many people usually use the sauna at once?
- How many people do you want the sauna to accommodate at one time?
- Do you want space in the sauna to lie on the benches, or is it enough if you can sit comfortably there?
- Does the washing take place in the sauna or elsewhere?
- How big a sauna heater do you want? (The bigger it is, the better the löyly. However, it's not worth choosing the very largest heater models for small saunas.)
- Is the sauna heated by a wood-burning stove or an electric stove? (Safety distances must be considered with a wood-burning stove)
Once the requirements are clear in your mind, we can sketch out the sauna floor plan to ensure the desired criteria are met. The design of the benches, the sauna stove, and the placement and size of the doors and windows also affect the final outcome.
When sizing seating, it's worth starting with the idea that for one person in the width of the institute booking approx 60 cm, so that everyone has a nice personal space. Bass Depth recommendation is at least 50-60 cm for a pleasant sauna experience.
Some deliberately build a deeper bench so that their legs can be easily kept bent casually on the top bench if desired.
Explore Ethan's guide, where you'll find Examples Yes floor plans saunas of various sizes and for various needs.
👉 Sauna sizing – how to choose or build a suitable sized sauna?
For more detailed planning, we recommend enlisting a professional. Ehtalla has many pre-designed, carefully considered models, but buildings are always designed individually as needed, based on the customer's requirements. The design service is free.
Compiling summary
- It's not worth making the sauna too small, so that ventilation works and you get the best possible sauna experience.
- To be installed behind the sauna stove The baffle wall improves air circulation, then the whole body gets warm, even though the benches are slightly lower than the top of the stove.
- Sauna height it's worth having 2.2–2.5 metres – the higher, the better.
- Recommended sauna bench height it's such that there's 100–120 cm of space above the benches. So, the bench height is measured from top to bottom in the sauna.
- In the construction of outdoor saunas too There must be room for payment, unless there is a separate laundry room in the building. A high ceiling also makes showering more pleasant, as the space below will then be cooler.
- Final dimensions It's also worth choosing based on how the sauna will be used. The larger the group that will be using the sauna at once, the more important it is to consider not only the bench space but also sufficient air volume and good air circulation.
