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Building a sauna in your basement is often the quickest and most affordable way to create a private retreat. With increasing popularity among Toronto homeowners due to the numerous health benefits associated with regular sauna use, saunas also add significant value to properties, making them an attractive investment for those looking to boost their home’s marketability and overall appeal.

9x Award Winning
Basement Renovator in Toronto

Basement Sauna Renovation

A basement sauna renovation is one of the most beautiful and purposeful amenities to have, but it can also result in a lot of problems in the house if installation is not done correctly. The amount of heat generated in the sauna, together with the excess moisture, can cause a lot of damage if measures to counter them are not implemented early on. Some of the problems it can lead to are mould growth and discoloration of the walls. However, these problems can be avoided with the use of waterproof materials, installing a good ventilation system, and sealing off the area properly.

RenoDuck knows and understands all the intricacies of how to build a sauna in your basement, and will complete your renovation project to the highest standards.

Basement Sauna Types

If you’re looking for home sauna ideas, you’ve come to the right place! Several options are available for building a sauna in your basement. Common options include a wood-burning sauna, an infrared sauna room, an electrically heated sauna, and a steam room.

Steam Sauna

A steam sauna, otherwise known as a steam room, uses moist heat at a temperature of 38° – 46° C (100° – 114° F), which is the coolest of the sauna types. Humidity is maintained at 100%. This combination is hydrating for your skin and hair, making the steam sauna the most beautifying of the three types.

This is the most expensive option for installation, as specialised construction is often required to contain the high moisture levels. A steam sauna will require a steam generator, plumbing, and proper waterproofing.

Traditional Sauna

Traditional saunas use dry heat, but humidity can be temporarily altered by pouring water over heated stones. With a temperature of 65° – 90° C (120° – 140° F), the traditional sauna is the hottest of the three. In financial terms, it sits between the steam and infrared saunas. A traditional sauna will often require more complex construction or renovation than an infrared sauna, especially electrical work.

Most are heated electrically, however, if you live in a rural area where firewood is plentiful, then the very traditional wood-burning sauna may be right for you.

Infrared Sauna

The most affordable option, infrared saunas typically don’t require special electrical work or plumbing. They often come as prefabricated units which are easier to install and offer cost savings. Each sauna type feels different in use, and that’s probably the most important factor in choosing which one is for you.

Whichever option you choose, RenoDuck has extensive experience installing all of these. We can expedite permitting, and we will make sure that the job is done right so there won’t be issues down the road.

Basement Sauna Installation Consideration

There are some important factors to consider before you build a sauna in your basement. These things are easy to get right in the planning stages, but difficult to fix once a sauna has been installed. “An ounce of prevention,” as the saying goes, “is worth a pound of cure.”

Building Code and Safety Requirements

There are federal, provincial, and municipal laws governing home saunas installation. They cover a number of considerations, including: electrical safety, ventilation , fire safety, structural requirements, inspections, permits, energy efficiency, plumbing, accessibility. RenoDuck installers have experience navigating these systems throughout the GTA. We’ll get you through the permitting process as quickly as possible, and ensure that your basement sauna is safe and enjoyable for a long time, saving you both time and money.

The Right Location

We recommend the basement as the best location in a home for adding a sauna. They’re usually cooler, and a sauna will generate some heat, and they’re also much more likely to have the space that a sauna will require. Do you have ideas for a complete basement spa? Sauna construction may be the first step to an overall spa concept.

Ceiling Height

7’-0” is generally considered the minimum ceiling height for a traditional sauna. To prevent head injuries or burns, there should be at least 4” between the head of a person seated on the top bench and the sauna ceiling. Typically, the sauna ceiling will sit 4-6” lower than the room ceiling originally did. This space will be filled by insulation, ventilation space, ceiling panels, and the support structure. A raised floor will also lower ceiling height.

Size of Sauna

Generally, a 4′ x 5′ (.12m x 1.5m) sauna floor plan is considered the smallest practical size for 2-3 people.A medium-sized sauna generally measures 6’x 8’ (1.8 m x 2.4m ) and can hold 2-3 people.A sauna considered large for private use will hold 6 people or more, with a sauna floor plan measuring 8′ x 10′ to 10′ x 12′ (2.4m x 3m to 3m x 3.7m).For the above sizes, the interior ceiling height should be at least 7’-0” (2.1m). A preferable ceiling height is 7’- 6” to 8’- 0” (2.3 to 2.4 m).We will come to your home and analyse both what your site offers and what you want in order to offer you the optimal solution.

Materials Options

Resinous woods like cedar and pine are best to handle both heat and moisture on the interior of your sauna. Red cedar is the most cost-effective type of cedar. You will also need: insulation, plumbing, wiring, heat-proof light fixture, venting duct and grilles, exterior cladding, heater. The amount of each will depend upon the size of the sauna you choose.

Waterproofing Options

Extra care with waterproofing is essential in Toronto’s climate. The floor assembly of your sauna needs waterproof materials such as duckboard, plywood, or cedar. For your waterproof sauna floor, heat conductivity is a concern. The less dense a material is, the less it will conduct heat. Our top choice, therefore, is also red cedar. Vinyl flooring and some types of tile can become difficult or impossible to walk on with bare feet when the heat has been on for a while. Laminate flooring is too vulnerable to moisture for sauna use.

Insulation and Framing

Building a sauna is similar to building a new home. We will start with a wooden frame that supports everything else, framing members spaced 16” on centre (OC). In a sauna, however, the frame is kiln-dried red cedar, which has more dimensional stability and moisture resistance, not to mention its wonderful scent. Benches and support for the heating unit will be tied directly to this frame to ensure they’re adequately supported. Leaving a small gap for air circulation, we then add insulation, R-13 for the walls, R-26 for the ceiling. We may use foil-faced polyisocyanurate or mineral wool, both of which are designed for high-heat environments. We will also insulate your sauna floor unless you already have a heated basement floor.

Proper Ventilation

We install ventilation leading directly outdoors from your sauna, along with the correct number of fans for the duct length involved. To prevent damage and possible mould growth from condensation, we seal it completely from beginning to end, and it needs to stay sealed.

Sauna Floors and Doors

Doors must close tightly to prevent mould and mildew in your basement. While traditional sauna doors use tightly fitted wood, we may use heat-tolerant silicone, high-temperature rubber, and/or fibreglass rope gaskets as weatherstripping. We don’t use foam-based weatherstripping or adhesives as they can degrade in high heat.
For your sauna floor, we install proper waterproofing and vapour barriers, which are difficult to impossible to install after the construction phase. We’ll give the floor a slight slope toward the drain, and expansion joints for temperature and humidity changes.

Plumbing and Electrical

RenoDuck only uses licensed and certified professional plumbers and electricians. Plumbing adjustments may be required based upon your space and the type of sauna you choose. These might include: a drinking water supply, water to the sauna interior for steam generation, floor drain and/or a steam generator drain to allow water to escape, trap primer to keep sewer gas out, sump pump, heat-resistant piping, piping insulation. We’ll make sure that each component in your system is wired properly with ground fault interrupter (GFCI) protection wherever moisture is near, as per the Ontario Building Code (OBC). We will analyse your space, then recommend and quote a price that includes what your space requires for the sauna of your choice.

Heaters and Controls for the Sauna

While sauna heat may be supplied by gas or wood burning, most urban saunas are electric, as this is the easiest type to install and required by city regulations throughout most of the GTA. The size of your heater depends upon the size of your sauna. We prefer to install high-quality heaters with a timer, temperature control, and possibly humidity control. Smart heaters with wi-fi-enabled controls are gaining popularity, as many like to turn on the sauna and get it warming up before they arrive at its door.

Safety Features

We take everyone’s safety seriously, and follow best practices to prevent injury to ourselves or our customers while we work. In use, most safety concerns will be covered if your sauna complies with applicable laws and passes inspections. We ensure that all the necessary inspections are performed and passed, all necessary permits are issued in a timely manner, and everything is safely operational before we leave. We install auto shut-off heaters, and mount all switches, outlets, and controls on the exterior of your sauna, to help them last and for safety. We use CSA approved heaters and lights. We can install an additional outlet on the outside of your sauna to charge your phone or tablet while you sauna without overheating your devices.

Maintenance and Care

Sauna heat, unfortunately, is not nearly high enough to sterilise. Your sauna will need cleaning inside and out on a regular basis. A good ventilation system, a tightly fitted door designed for sauna use, and a waterproof sauna floor assembly are key to avoiding excess moisture and the risk of mould and mildew that come with it.

Electricity and Water Bills

Of course, the operation of a basement sauna will raise your electricity and possibly water bill, but by how much? Water costs should average around $0.40 to $0.85 per month. Hydro-electric power can be expected to cost about $6.50 to $12.00 per month. These figures are for a 2-3 person sauna in average use, given water and electricity rates as of late 2023 – early 2024.As you can see, if you have been wondering how to make a sauna at home, there’s a lot that we can do to make the process easier for you.
Saunas are fantastic for reducing stress, and so is RenoDuck!

Why Choose Us for Your Basement Sauna Renovation

RenoDuck strongly believes that every sauna build should be:

Functional: Our main goal when working on a basement sauna is functionality. We infuse the performance with visual appeal to ensure you get the most from the space.
Efficient: Our team will ensure you get a sauna that meets and surpasses your expectations. We will make sure it serves its intended purpose for a very long time.
Personalized: We are happy to discuss your options regarding all the elements that can be added to the sauna to make it more enjoyable. We want you to be able to show off your sauna with pride, which is why we incorporate all the fixtures and personal touches into every project.

Poor installation of a sauna in your basement is a big deal, because it can cause endless problems that become too costly to fix. Even though sauna construction may be costly, working with qualified contractors is the only way to prevent future problems and more expensive repairs. That is why you should hire RenoDuck. We will help you choose the right materials that will not be damaged by moisture and heat and navigate you through every step of the process.

Advantages of Basement Sauna

Having a basement sauna has many advantages in addition to increasing the value of the home. Other than being the perfect place to relax after a long day, the sauna is also believed to have a lot of other health benefits, most of which have been proven by experts.

A sauna can help you relax after a hard day’s work. The heat inside will help your body release endorphins and improve the circulation of blood, which will also help with pain relief.

Research has shown that the steam produced by the sauna promotes the production of white blood cells, which enhances the body’s ability to fight general illnesses.

Using the sauna frequently can lower the risks associated with cardiovascular diseases. Better blood circulation is also believed to help with heart function.

By dilating blood vessels, improving blood flow, and releasing endorphin hormones, the sauna will reduce stress levels in your body.

By causing deep sweating of the body, the sauna removes dead skin cells, and allows them to be replaced, cleanses pores, and removes bacteria from the epidermal layer.

A sauna can increase the calories your body burns, which helps you with weight loss. However, it should not be used as an exercise tool.

The dilation of blood vessels that results from the heat also helps with the elimination of toxins in the body, including lactic acid. All these contribute to your overall wellness.

Relaxation is the most common factor that sauna users can attest to. Exposing the body to high heat leads to the release of endorphins, improves blood flow, and relaxes muscles. The tranquillity users experience in the quietness of the sauna also helps release stress for most people.

Experience the ultimate in relaxation and wellness with your own basement sauna. Invest in your health and your home value at the same time! Contact RenoDuck today for a personalised and detailed consultation.

Hire RenoDuck for Basement Sauna Renovation

As a 9-time award-winning basement renovator in Toronto, we know exactly what it takes to add a sauna room to your basement. Our expertise in basement renovations extends to sauna creation. We give our clients a wide range of renovation options to ensure they get the sauna design that works for their needs and stands out from others.

Basement Sauna Renovation Toronto

9x Award Winning
Basement Renovator in Toronto

Basement Sauna Renovation