Tahoe Sauna Company

08/07/2026

Just wrapped up a sauna design-build on the west shore of Lake Tahoe. The client wanted a sauna that could fit 6 people comfortably and stand up to hard Sierra winters, and not ask much in upkeep. The project started with a blank space in their yard and we designed a sauna to match their homes aesthetic and the client's preferences. We built the design on our proven 8x8 prototype that makes efficient use of materials and space. The L-shaped, three-tier redwood bench layout is where the capacity comes from: it can squeeze in up to 8 people on the top bench, or 12 across the top and bottom benches.. The finished interior ceiling sits at 7 feet - tall enough for that top bench to stay in the hot zone without anyone ducking. The heater is a corner-mounted cylinder-style electric heater with WiFi app control - compact footprint, even convection heat, and you can start it from the house so it's ready by the time you walk out back. As with all our builds, ventilation got real attention: a three-vent system with a passive fresh-air intake low near the heater, a mechanical exhaust to actively turn the air over, and a passive drying vent to help the room dry out between sessions. Western red cedar tongue-and-groove lines the interior over R-13 insulated, foil-v***r-barriered walls (R-19 in the ceiling), with T1-11 plywood siding outside under a single-slope shed roof with a deep overhang on the entry side to shed snow. Two medium windows were placed specifically to frame views of the surrounding forest and the house while keeping privacy from the neighbors, and warm under-bench LED strips keep the light soft with no fixtures up in the heat zone. It sits on a deck-block foundation, which skips the concrete slab and gets the build moving faster without giving up the strength to carry Sierra snow loads.

07/01/2026

We're looking for builders, carpenters, or handymen interested in building saunas in the Tahoe area.
We design the saunas and bring the projects — you build them. North shore and south shore.
Interested, or know someone good? Comment, DM, or text me at (530) 494-9857.

06/05/2026

We recently designed and built this sauna for a small backyard in a dense residential neighborhood in Stateline, Nevada (Lake Tahoe) — a 2-4-person sauna designed to fit a tight space without compromising on heat or air quality. The owner wanted a windowless sauna that would heat up fast, hold heat well, and give her total privacy from neighbors. So we went with no windows at all — just a solid wood door, cedar on every interior surface, and R13 insulation with an aluminum v***r barrier. The Harvia KIP60 6kW electric heater runs on a 240V dedicated circuit and gets the room to temperature in about 30 minutes. To handle ventilation, we installed an AC Infinity CloudLine mechanical fan on the exterior wall with adjustable speed control from inside — this keeps CO2 levels low and air quality comfortable during longer sessions. The stove, fan, and under-bench LED lights all run through the Harvia Xenio WiFi controls, so you can start the sauna from your phone. Three tiers of 2x4 redwood benches in a straight parallel layout, single-pitch roof with composite shingles, and the exterior stained to match their existing shed. It's an example of what a small space sauna build can look like when you prioritize efficiency and privacy over size and fancy features

04/29/2026

A custom sauna starts with a conversation about your interest in sauna. We want to know how you use a sauna, who's using it with you, what your space looks like, and what your budget is before we draw anything.

From there we put together design proposals — detailed 3D models showing bench layout, window placement, ceiling height, ventilation, and lighting. It's an iterative process. We go back and forth until the design feels right for your space and how you actually want to use it.

Once the layout is locked in, we walk through material options. Wood species, stove selection, any extras like built-in speakers. There are a lot of stoves on the market and they're not all created equal — we help narrow it down based on your sauna size, heat preferences, and budget.

The final package includes a finished 3D model, a detailed materials list, and construction guidance. If you don't already have a contractor, we can connect you with a licensed builder who will construct it to the exact specs we've laid out.
Want to learn more? Sign up for our newsletter or visit our website. Links are in our bio.

04/13/2026

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.