The decision to purchase a garden sauna usually begins with choosing a model. We browse photos, compare wood types, ponder the stove, roof color, or the size of the glazing. All of this is, of course, important, but our experience shows that something entirely different has a much greater impact on the subsequent comfort of using the sauna – its placement.
It is the location that determines whether the sauna will become a place you return to several times a week, or if it will only be used occasionally. A well-planned space makes going to the sauna a natural part of the day. You don't have to prepare or organize anything – you just open the door and a few steps later you are in your private relaxation zone.
Therefore, before ordering a sauna, it is worth taking a moment to plan the place where it will serve for many years.
Close to home or at the end of the garden?
This is one of the first questions future sauna owners ask themselves.
Intuition often suggests placing it as far away from the house as possible – somewhere in a quiet corner of the garden, surrounded by trees. Indeed, such a location can create a unique atmosphere. If you can see the forest, garden, or the surface of a lake from inside the sauna, each session becomes even more enjoyable.
However, there is another side to the coin.
Imagine a winter evening. It's several degrees below zero outside, and you've just finished a hot session. If you have to walk several dozen meters through snow or wet grass to get home, you'll quickly find that it's not as comfortable as it seemed in the summer.
Therefore, in most cases, a location relatively close to home, but at the same time providing a bit of privacy, works best. This way, the sauna is used much more often, regardless of the weather.
A good sauna deserves a good view
Many people focus on how the sauna will look from the outside. Meanwhile, what we see while sitting on the bench inside is just as important.
Modern garden saunas are increasingly equipped with large glazing. This is not only an impressive design element. A properly positioned sauna allows you to enjoy the view of the garden, the setting sun, or snow-covered trees.
If you have a choice, position the glass wall towards the most beautiful part of the garden. This is a small detail that makes a huge difference during everyday sauna use.
The unseen foundation is crucial
One of the most common mistakes is underestimating the ground.
A garden sauna weighs from several hundred kilograms to over two tons, depending on the model and equipment. Such a weight requires a stable and perfectly level ground.
The most commonly chosen solution is a concrete slab or paving stones laid on a properly prepared sub-base. In many cases, foundation slabs or solid terraces with adequate load-bearing capacity also work perfectly.
It's not just about durability. Even small differences in level can, after a few years, affect the operation of doors or the even distribution of the structure's weight.
This is a stage that truly should not be rushed.
Can the sauna stand directly on the grass?
We hear this question very often.
Although theoretically it seems like a simple solution, in practice it is not a good idea.
The ground is constantly working throughout the year. After heavy rainfall, it becomes soft, it freezes in winter, and dries out in summer. Over time, this can cause uneven settling of the structure.
Additionally, moisture remains under the sauna for a long time, which is not conducive to the durability of the entire structure.
Therefore, we always recommend preparing a stable, hardened surface before delivery.
Customers only remember this the day before delivery
This is probably the most common situation.
The sauna is ready for shipment, the delivery date is set, and then the question arises:
"Will the truck even reach us?"
Before ordering, it is worth checking the route the sauna will be transported from the vehicle to the installation site.
Check the width of the gate, wicket, and passage. Pay attention to low-hanging branches, stairs, sharp turns, or narrow passages between buildings.
In some cases, unloading with a crane proves to be the best solution. Although many people initially treat it as an additional cost, it often helps avoid much bigger problems during the delivery itself.
Think about what will be around the sauna
The sauna itself is just the beginning.
The most beautiful designs are those where a small relaxation zone is created around it.
A few meters of wooden decking, comfortable sun loungers, atmospheric lighting, planters with ornamental grasses, or a path leading through the garden can completely change the character of this space.
More and more people are also opting for a cold water plunge pool, an outdoor shower, or a jacuzzi. This way, the garden becomes a place that can be enjoyed not only in summer but all year round.
Don't plan just for today
When buying a sauna, we usually think about the coming months. Meanwhile, a well-made sauna will serve for several, and often even several dozen, years.
It is therefore worth considering what the garden will look like in five or ten years.
Are you planning to build a terrace? A swimming pool? A gazebo? New plantings?
It's better to consider this now than to regret in a few years that the sauna was placed in a spot that hinders further development of the space.
A well-planned location is half the battle
A garden sauna is meant to be a place of rest. It should encourage you to use it as often as possible – after work, after training, on cold winter evenings, or lazy Sunday mornings.
Therefore, the choice of the right location should be treated with the same attention as the choice of the sauna itself.
A stable base, convenient access, appropriate transport access, and a well-thought-out surroundings will ensure that you enjoy using your sauna for many years. The time spent planning this space will pay off faster than you might think.