Build the sauna in the forest before you build it for real.
Draw your outdoor sauna in 3D, see it in evening light and take the material list to the timber yard.
3,000 × 4,000 mm. Hot room, lounge and a view of the lake.
This is Lakeside, one of three layouts for the two-room sauna. Every measurement, door and window can change.
72 rows to buy. 69 rows on the cut list.
Every stud, board and box of screws in the model ends up on the lists, with length and quantity.
About €12,243 in materials.
The price updates when you change size, panelling or heater.
How it works
Pick a shape
One room, or two rooms with a lounge. Everything can change later.
Pull the walls
Size, doors, windows and benches change right in the 3D model.
Take the lists
Shopping list, cut list and build guide, with heater, ventilation and clearances checked.
What you get
- Live 3D model
- Rotate and section the model to see the frame, panelling and benches before anything is bought.
- Auto-generated material takeoff
- Timber, insulation, panelling, screws and fittings in quantities you can shop from, with an estimated cost.
- Cut list with exact lengths
- A length for every piece, optimised against stock lengths to keep waste low.
- Swedish baseline assumptions
- Heater size, breaker, ventilation and clearances checked against Swedish baseline rules and manufacturer tables.
Popular guides
Everything you need to know before starting — planning, permits, materials, ventilation, and heater sizing.
Common questions about building an outdoor sauna
How much does it cost to build your own outdoor sauna?
A self-built 4-person outdoor sauna typically costs 25 000–60 000 SEK in materials, depending on size, wood species, and heater type. A wood-fired stove with chimney adds roughly 8 000–15 000 SEK, while an electric heater lands around 5 000–12 000 SEK. Building it yourself saves 40–60 % compared with buying a prefabricated sauna kit.
Do I need a building permit for a sauna in Sweden?
In most cases, no. Since 1 December 2025 you can build a permit-exempt outbuilding of up to 30 m² inside zoned (detaljplan) areas (50 m² outside) without a permit or notification, provided it is placed at least 4.5 m from the property boundary (or with your neighbour's written consent) and the ridge height stays at 4.5 m or below. The cap per plot is 45 m² combined inside zoned areas (65 m² outside). A wood-fired heater still requires a separate fire notification (eldstadsanmälan) to your municipality, and shoreline protection (strandskydd) rules continue to apply.
Wood-fired or electric heater — which is better for an outdoor sauna?
A wood-fired stove delivers a traditional löyly experience with soft, radiant heat and works without electricity, but requires a certified chimney installation and annual chimney sweep inspection. An electric heater is simpler to install and regulate — just set the thermostat — but needs a dedicated 3-phase circuit (400 V) for heaters above 4.5 kW. Choose wood for authenticity, electric for convenience.
What wood should I use for an outdoor sauna?
Use pressure-treated spruce (tryckimpregnerad gran) for the structural frame and floor joists since they are in contact with ground moisture. For interior panelling and benches, choose untreated aspen (asp) or alder (al) — both stay cool to the touch and resist warping at high temperatures. The exterior façade works well in heat-treated pine (thermoträ) or larch, which handles weather without chemical treatment.
How long does it take to build a sauna yourself?
A handy builder can finish a 4-person rectangular outdoor sauna in 4–8 weekends (roughly 60–120 hours). The foundation and framing take about two weekends, roofing and exterior cladding another two, and insulation, interior panelling, benches, and heater installation fill the rest. Professional steps — electrical connection and chimney certification — add 1–2 scheduled appointments.