It’s not by chance that our catalog is filled with barrel-shaped saunas. If you’re in the market for an outdoor sauna, chances are you’ll want a barrel shape too. Here’s why…
Barrels Heats Up Faster
There’s science behind the barrel shape. Consider a traditional box-shaped room—there’s unusable space in the corners. In cabin-style saunas, those unused corners are spaces that need to be heated too. In a barrel, there’s less area to heat, so the sauna heats up faster.
Heat is Distributed More Evenly
Heat rises and collects at the top of a box-shaped sauna. However, the curved walls of a barrel-shaped sauna force the heat back down the sides, distributing it more evenly.
The Wood Can Expand and Contract
Cabin-style saunas are often fitted together with all sorts of hardware to hold the pieces together. That may make them sturdy, but it doesn’t give the wood the ability to expand and contract. Conversely, our barrel saunas are built via tongue-and-groove wood and held in place with a stainless steel band. The wood forms a tight seal as the room heats up and releases when it cools. The same function is beneficial when there are exterior temperature and humidity shifts too.
Barrel Designs are Structurally Sound and Weather-Resistant
The design ensures the sauna stays structurally sound and protects it through all seasons. Rain and snow typically slide right off, but the sturdy design also enables the sauna to withstand any snow that sticks.
Energy Efficiency
Due to the faster heating and even heat distribution, barrel saunas are incredibly energy efficient. Redwood Outdoors also uses thick lumber for better insulation.
You Can Lounge Comfortably
The rounded edges naturally cradle your back as you sit on the bench, ensuring optimal comfort. However, barrel saunas are also long enough to stretch out on a bench lengthwise and offer flat back support this way.
They’re Beautiful
The traditional Scandinavian design is simple, yet elegant. You can tuck your sauna away in a natural environment and have it blend seamlessly or make it a focal point by landscaping around it. Redwood Outdoors offers several varieties with elements like porches and floor-to-ceiling windows, so it’s easy to find a style that suits you.
