How Easy Is It to Build a Sauna? From Crate to Creating Your Sanctuary

You’ve seen the research, experienced the benefits at the gym sauna, and understand the powerful impact sauna bathing can have on your health and well-being. Naturally, the next step is to shop for an at-home sauna of your own. But when you hear it comes as a build-your-own kit, you picture a complicated project involving power tools and professional installers. For many people, that concern about installation is the one hesitation standing between them and their personal at-home sanctuary.

The reality? At Redwood Outdoors, our saunas are designed to go from crate to sanctuary with surprising ease.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at what to expect when your sauna arrives - and just how simple it really is to bring your own wellness retreat to life.

Step 1: The Delivery

Your sauna will arrive in a compact, well-organized crate. We ship nationwide, and every piece is carefully packed to prevent damage. The crates are designed for efficiency: even a large barrel or cube sauna packs down into a manageable footprint.

Our shipping partners will safely get the crate off the truck at your property. While it won’t be easy to move once it’s down, unboxing is quick and straightforward.

Step 2: Unboxing

Once the crate is opened, you’ll find all the staves, panels, benches, and hardware neatly organized and labeled. Each piece is pre-cut, so there’s no measuring or cutting involved. Think of it like a giant wellness-focused puzzle, with everything fitting together exactly as it should.

We suggest laying out a tarp and pre-sorting as you unbox. Having all the pieces grouped and separated will make assembly seamless. Many customers find that unboxing and laying out the parts is half the fun - it builds excitement for what’s about to take shape.

Step 3: Assembly

Here’s where most people are surprised: assembly doesn’t require specialized skills. A drill, a hammer, a rubber mallet, and a level are the only tools you’ll need. Most saunas can be assembled in a single afternoon with two people working together.

We include clear, step-by-step instructions, and for extra support, there are video tutorials available online.

• Barrel and Cube Saunas: The foundational cradles are set a precise distance apart, and the floorboards attach directly to them through pre-drilled holes, so you know exactly where to line everything up. The front and back walls come in three complete panels that link together easily and slide into pre-notched grooves. The staves then interlock to form the walls, while steel bands wrap around the exterior to hold everything securely in place.

• Loyly Collection Saunas: Pre-cut frame pieces screw together, and pre-built floor panels attach to the frame. Wall staves stack like Lincoln Logs, interlocking tightly without any hardware. Roof panels screw easily into place to finish the exterior.

• Benches: Fully pre-built, these require only that you level and install the support braces, then screw the benches on top. Wall-mounted backrests attach directly to the walls.

The process is intuitive and straightforward. Many customers comment that the assembly feels less like construction and more like a giant Lego kit. And just like that, you’ve built something that will be cherished for years to come.

Step 4: Heater Setup

The final step is installing your heater, which is the heart of the sauna.

Our electric heaters require a licensed electrician to connect to your home’s power supply, but once wired, they’re incredibly easy to use with just the push of a button.

Either way, the setup is designed to be smooth and stress-free. We supply all the resources your electrician will need to easily install your heater. Once the heater is in place, your sauna is ready to use.

Step 5: Enjoy Your Sanctuary

From the moment you close the door and feel the wood-scented heat surround you, all thoughts of assembly vanish. What started as a crate in your driveway transforms into a wellness sanctuary right in your backyard.

Many people say their first sauna session feels especially satisfying because they built it themselves. There’s something meaningful about knowing you didn’t just bring a sauna home - you crafted a personal space for relaxation with your own hands.

Real Customer Feedback

We regularly hear from customers who are amazed by how approachable the process is:

•    “I did a lot of research before buying and I’m glad I went with Redwood Outdoors. I got the 4 person outdoor cabin sauna […]. My wife and kids were away for a weekend and I built the entire sauna by myself. It would have been helpful to have another person but you can build it entirely by yourself. Everything fit together perfectly, nothing was damaged through all the shipping, and the instructions were super easy to follow. […] Throughout the exploratory phase, ordering process, buying, and shipping, Redwood provided great communication. I would highly recommend them to anyone!” -C.Connell

•    “The entire experience of building our Cove was so easy, the crate was expertly packed with everything and the manual/video made it all very straightforward. Each part fit perfectly together with no cutting, adjusting or force, it was a totally enjoyable experience assembling the sauna, I would 100% recommend Redwood to anyone- every time I called with a question I was able to connect with someone both before and after the sales process even on a Sunday. Very professional staff.” -R. Evans

Installing a sauna isn’t a daunting construction project—it’s a surprisingly simple, rewarding experience. With pre-cut Thermowood panels, intuitive instructions, and a design built for DIY assembly, Redwood Outdoors saunas are made for homeowners, not contractors.

In just an afternoon, you can transform a crate into a sanctuary—a place where you’ll sweat, relax, and recharge for years to come.

Ready to build your own backyard retreat? Explore our sauna collection and discover just how easy it is to bring heat therapy into your daily life.