Kit vs Custom

As we continue to move towards the home sauna, I now face a dilemma: so I throw down a slab of concrete and order a sauna kit and slap it up, or do I have a custom sauna designed and built by some Joe?

With the kit, you know what you're getting - a quality rig both inside and out. Everything will work and it will be what you need it to be -- hot.

But a sauna is just a room, right? A room with cedar walls and a sauna oven in it. Won't it be cheaper and better to just build that room myself, slap some cedar on the walls, throw and oven in the corner and start to sweat? Also, what about the possibility of building the sauna into the landscape? You can't do that with a kit.

We're meeting with the landscape architect next week, and I intend to see how far I can stretch the architect part of that. Wish me luck, dear internet.

A debate, open to all

Let's just say you were planning your fantasy backyard. You've got your gardens, you've got your patio spaces, you've got an area for sporting, an area for kids. And of course, you've got your sauna.

Life is good.

But let's just say you were in the planning stages. So you're thinking how do we do this with an eye towards both fun and savings? You turn to your old friend, the internet, and she presents you with this option:

The Barrel Sauna

Now, I myself have never stepped inside one of these, but I can see why they might be beneficial. No corners, less wasted space. But I can also see how they might be a bit cramped in there. Crouching around to get in and out, the possibility of whipping yourself with a leaf broom is minimal.

The sauna above boasts a 7' diameter, but most of the saunas I've found come in at 6' around. And while that's bigger than me, it doesn't look so impressive when this dude stands next to it.

But so affordable. And easily integrated with a wood-burning stove (essential). 

What does your gut say, dear friends? Have you been in a barrel sauna. Would you go in a barrel sauna?