How to build a sauna from profiled timber yourself

A wooden beam of regular geometric shape, dried in special chambers, is a durable material for private construction. Building a sauna from profiled beams yourself doesn't require carpentry skills or experience. The tongue-and-groove construction method used to construct a log house makes building with profiled material as easy as assembling a child's construction set.

Advantages of building with profiled timber

Russian manufacturers adopted the Finnish practice of processing wooden logs with specially cut elements for ease of assembly. The use of profiled timber in construction offers the following advantages:

• Quick assembly. The dried material is lightweight. Even one person can handle the sauna's construction;
• Optimal material moisture content. You don't have to worry about the structure warping or the walls cracking. Dried timber retains its shape for 10-15 years;
• tight fit of the crowns due to the lock connection;
• Eco-friendliness. The log, trimmed and profiled, retains the qualities of natural wood. High temperatures inside the sauna will not release any harmful substances;
• Health. When wood is heated, essential oils are released into the room, which are not only beneficial for people suffering from bronchopulmonary diseases but also promote health and strengthen the immune system;
• Eliminates the cost and effort of finishing. Walls made from profiled timber, both inside and outside, create aesthetically pleasing surfaces that require no decoration.

You can choose profiled timber in any shape. Manufacturers offer building materials with regular square and rectangular profiles, as well as imitation logs.

A log house assembled from profiled timber on a foundation will experience less shrinkage than a log or beam without processing and drying.

Step-by-step instructions for building a sauna from profiled timber yourself

Before constructing a bathhouse on a site, it's necessary to select a location for the future structure. For fire safety reasons, it's recommended not to place a wooden structure near other utility or residential buildings. Construction proceeds in the following order:

1. Project development. Create a sketch of the planned construction in three dimensions. Use specialized programs or draw the future bathhouse yourself, indicating the dimensions. This will help calculate the required materials for procurement. You can download a ready-made bathhouse plan, which is freely available. The standard version already includes all dimensions and material quantities.
2. Purchase materials. You should calculate the amount of timber for the log house, foundation materials, roofing, and finishing materials. Timber for the sauna can be purchased in sizes of 150 x 150 mm or 150 x 200 mm.
3. Clear the construction site. Choose level, dry areas. Building in low-lying or marshy soils can cause ground movement and tilt the structure. Remove any bushes or trees. Carry out excavation work if you plan to use a strip, columnar, or monolithic foundation.
4. Building the foundation. A wooden sauna doesn't require a solid foundation. For a timber structure, you can use a strip, block, or pile-and-screw foundation. Remember, if you're building a sauna on screw piles or blocks, the space underneath will need insulation. To strengthen the poured foundation, use rebar, crushed stone, or broken brick. Begin the next step only after the concrete has completely dried. If you're building a sauna on screw piles or blocks, construct a grillage from large-section processed lumber or metal beams before assembling the log structure.
5. Assembling the log house. For the lower logs, purchase larger-section profiled timber. This will ensure strength and stability. Treat the lower elements with special impregnations against moisture and mold. The bottom of the sauna will be most exposed to various influences, so it's best to extend the life of the timber in the foundation. The lower logs are secured to the foundation with special tenons or dowels. Subsequent logs are assembled by inserting the tenons into the grooves. Don't forget the insulation between the logs. Jute is a convenient material for assembling the frame. It is a durable and environmentally friendly fiber that will ensure the structure is airtight.
6. Roofing. The bathhouse roof is installed on a rafter system. The supporting elements of the structure should be made of durable material—100 x 100 mm, 100 x 150 mm lumber, or thick boards. You can build a single- or gable roof. Lay the sheathing on the frame at intervals of at least 50-70 cm. Fireproof roofing materials should be used—slate, sheet metal, metal tiles, corrugated sheets, ondulin, etc. A vapor barrier and waterproofing layer should be installed between the surface separating the attic from the bathhouse.

After the frame is assembled and the roof is installed, the structure should be left to settle for one year. Summer months are a good time for construction. In spring and fall, the soil is too wet, making it difficult to build a solid foundation. Next year, you can begin cutting out windows and doors, installing equipment, wiring, plumbing, sewer lines, and finishing work.

Profiled timber requires no treatment, so it's sufficient to cover only the steam room with aspen or linden paneling. High temperatures can cause resin to leak from the timber, which can cause burns.

Building a sauna yourself from profiled timber will allow you to create a durable structure that will become a favorite spot for both children and adults. A timber frame built on a reliable foundation will last at least 15 years. Proper drainage and timely wood maintenance can extend the life of the structure.