HANDCRAFTED MODERN OUTDOOR SAUNAS

FAQs

  • Our saunas typically start at $26,500 and can go up to $54,000 for larger customs. There are many factors to consider that will determine the end cost of your sauna build. This depends on size, features, stove options, wall controllers, and geographical location. Feel free to contact us to start a no-obligation quote.

  • Our Saunas are hand built on Vancouver Island by skilled craftsmen with high-quality materials. Storm Saunas are not mass-produced. Each sauna requires approximately 120 hours of skilled labour. A typical assembly of a barrel sauna takes 3-4 hrs labour after the wood has been milled. Our saunas are designed to stand the test of time and provide you with a consistent and controlled sauna experience year-round. Our saunas are all insulated and structured to provide maximum efficiency even in the winter months, when barrel saunas may struggle to get up to and maintain temperature. For interior walls, we use Western Red Cedar and offer a clear Cedar upgrade. Knots on the benches can cause uncomfortable hot spots so we use only clear cedar on our benches. We build and design your Storm Sauna to enjoy for years to come.

  • Once you have signed off on the written quote, we require a 10% payment to be put into the building queue. Before the start of construction, we will require another 30% deposit. Upon the exterior of your sauna being completed and rough in electrical, we will require another 40% to complete your sauna. The final 20% will be paid upon completion of your sauna and before delivery.

  • Before we start the purchasing and building process of your sauna we will need to ensure that there is crane access to your property and room in your electrical panel for a 40-60 Amp breaker. The size of the breaker is determined by the stove size and the distance from your electrical panel to the sauna. We are not a mobile sauna shop, and we do not build on-site.

  • Many clients want to go big with size dimensions for “sauna parties.” While we all love the occasional sauna party, we suggest basing the decision on what best suits the household's needs and who will be using the sauna most. With a four-person household, there is no need to purchase an eight-person sauna. Smaller saunas can be more efficient and have quicker heat-up times, while larger saunas can accommodate more people, or give the bather more room to stretch out. We want to provide you with the sauna that best suits your needs as well as your property.

  • Proper cleaning and maintenance will help your sauna last longer and maintaining the sauna is fairly easy. We suggest wiping the inside occasionally with mild soap and water. Stay away from toxic cleaners that could smell once heated or damage the softwood interior. For exterior wood surfaces, you can apply more stain every few years as needed, this is only for maintaining colour. For wood-fired stoves remember to empty the ashtray drawer with every few sauna sessions. The ashes should be removed BEFORE sauna sessions. Never dispose of hot coals unless outdoors and only in a fireproof container with no other combustibles.

  • All of the wood used in our saunas comes from various parts of British Columbia while most of our Cedar comes from Vancouver Island.

  • This will depend on the ground structure as to where you want to place the sauna. While a level concrete pad is ideal, compacted gravel can work just as well. All of our saunas have custom-welded levelling feet. The maximum that your pad can be off level from end to end is 3 inches. This ensures a quick and efficient drop on the delivery day.

  • Many people love the wood heat with the old-school comfort, warmth and ambience that a fire provides. Wood, however, can be a bit more work and many sauna owners enjoy the process. Some cities and municipalities have banned the burning of wood so you would need to check with your local area.

    If you are not interested in the process involved with firewood then you should choose the electric option. The electric option offers more convenience with use. Some of our electric stoves are compatible with delayed start timers and wifi wall controls. The wifi wall controls allow you to control your sauna from your phone. You can turn your sauna on just after a cold water surf session or before you leave the ski resort parking lot

  • Yes. You can provide your own stove or we can provide one for you. If you do provide your own stove then be sure to size its heating capacity with the cubic volume of the sauna. The brands we use are Harvia and Huum. Both brands have many options in wood-fired and electric.

  • Yes! All of our saunas can be altered in shape, size and design to suit your vision.

  • Yes! Our design service can help you bring your vision to life. Keep in mind that most municipalities do not require a building permit for structures of 100 sqft or less.

  • Any on-site electrical work needs to be done by a certified electrician. If you do not have an electrician there are several that we work with on Vancouver Island and the lower mainland. Our electrical saunas typically use a 40 to 50-amp breaker. An electrical cable is trenched from the house to the sauna. Some of our customers have hand dug their own trenches to save a bit of money.

  • Yes! We can do Cedar wood decking, tile with drain, or skim coat cement below a Cedar slatted floor.

  • All of our saunas are built in our workshop on Vancouver Island in Sooke, BC. They are then delivered by a flatbed crane truck, or deck trailer and lifted into place. The site and lift will determine the size of the crane to be used.

  • We do have the capabilities to build a sauna on site but it can significantly increase the cost. We would have to take into consideration the travel time and accommodation of our work crew and set up an on-site workshop. In all cases, delivery is the cheaper option.

  • Our delivery truck can deliver anywhere on South Vancouver Island (Shawnigan Lake South) for $600. The truck has a knuckle boom with a 40 ft reach. If a bigger crane with more lift and reach is needed then this can increase the costs. A bigger crane could add an additional $600 to the placement of the sauna. For longer-distance deliveries, we use the flat deck trailer and hire a local crane closest to the delivery site. This can all be discussed, measured and planned on the initial site visit.

  • All of our interior cedar walls are kiln-dried bare wood and not treated. We use non-toxic wood wax for our wood floors and benches for longevity and easy cleaning. To increase the longevity and cleanliness of your sauna benches this wood wax should be applied every few years.

  • Our lead times vary on our orders received and can range anywhere from 2-6 months. This all depends on how busy our shop gets. We provide delivery estimate dates on our quotes.

  • We have designed and built a sauna that you should be able to enjoy for many years. The first sauna we built in 2012 gets frequent use and is still going strong. A Storm Sauna should last you 20 years or more with proper care and maintenance.

  • While maintaining cleanliness inside your sauna is important you should stay away from running a water hose in your sauna. A simple wipe-down with mild soap and water should be sufficient. Never use a pressure washer inside your sauna. The extreme pressure will mark up the soft Cedar and could force water behind areas that would not normally see water with normal sauna bathing use.

  • Yes. We can assist you with moving your sauna and set up at the new location. These saunas are designed to be picked up and moved with the proper equipment.

“FIND YOUR CALM IN THE STORM”

Proudly Built on Vancouver Island B.C.