If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to sauna flooring – you’ve come to the right place!
Saunas have many health benefits. They can improve circulation, detoxify sweat glands, and improve muscle relaxation.
When it comes to a sauna, each element makes a difference. Good quality sauna flooring can make your sauna experience all the better!
But, what makes great sauna flooring? Comfort and aesthetics are two primary factors!
Let’s discuss what to look for in sauna flooring.
Types of Sauna Flooring and materials
Sauna flooring can be made from wood, tile, cement, or concrete. The material you choose depends on your taste and budget.
Wooden Floors
Wooden sauna floors are made from either natural or manufactured wood. These are an attractive option for any sauna room!
Wooden sauna floors are relatively easy to maintain. If you want the floor to suit your style, you can stain or paint them in various colors. If your home has a particular color scheme with wood, this is a great place to echo your decor!
With proper care, a wood sauna floor can be very durable. It can last years without needing replacement or repair. When it comes to the budget, this is a big help!
Tiles
Tiles are another popular choice for sauna floor material.
Tiling is beautiful and easy to clean. Tiles come in many styles, including mosaic, glass, and stone.
Also, tile floors are durable. They can withstand a lot of wear and tear over time.
Finally, tiles do not absorb moisture like many other materials, which makes them ideal for use in steam rooms or hot tubs where water may come into contact with the tile surface.
Concrete
Concrete is a durable, easy-to-install, and inexpensive sauna floor material. Concrete comes in different colors and textures. It can match any style or design you want!
Concrete is ideal for people who want energy efficiency in their wet sauna bath as it retains heat very well.
Microcement
Microcement is an alternative to cement and offers many benefits over traditional cement.
This material is made from crushed glass and cement, which means it has the same durability as regular cement.
However, it is much lighter, making it perfect for those who want an easy-to-install material. Microcement is also comfortable to stand on without shoes, which makes it great for a sauna!
Which Floors Are Suitable For an Outdoor Sauna
Let’s discuss which floors are best for outdoor saunas.
Wood
A wooden sauna floor is a great option to consider if you have an outdoor sauna.
Wood works well if you’re going for a natural, rustic feel. Maintenance is as easy as cleaning the floor with a broom or vacuum cleaner every few days.
The most popular wood flooring material for outdoor saunas is cedar wood. It is resistant to pests and moisture, which makes it a perfect choice for an outdoor sauna environment.
Vinyl Floors
Vinyl flooring comes in a wide range of colors and patterns. With this material, you can create a unique style for your outdoor sauna!
You can clean vinyl flooring easily, with bleach or water, without damaging it. For more tips on how to clean a sauna, read our guide.
Which Floors Are Suitable For a Barrel Sauna?
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular flooring options for your barrel sauna.
Wooden Floors
Wood has been used in saunas for centuries.
Wooden floors are durable and can easily last many years without problems. They are beautiful and give your home sauna a sophisticated, earthy feel.
Tile Floors
Tile floors are another popular option for a barrel sauna. Tile floors are more resistant to moisture than wooden ones but require more maintenance.
Tiles come in all shapes and sizes, so it should be easy for you to find the perfect fit for your sauna.
Vinyl Floors
Vinyl (PVC) is a synthetic material that resembles natural wood but does not require maintenance like real wood.
It also has excellent thermal properties. This makes it a perfect fit for your hot barrel sauna!
The biggest drawback of vinyl is its cost. Although it looks very nice, it can be quite expensive. This depends on the type of design you choose for your home sauna project.
Concrete Floors
Concrete is a popular choice for barrel sauna floors because it’s durable, easy to clean, and doesn’t require any extra insulation under the flooring (it’s already thick enough).
The only downside is that concrete takes longer to heat up than other materials. This can be an issue if you live in a cold climate.
What Do You Put Under a Barrel Sauna?
The most common flooring used for a barrel sauna is 3/4″ tongue and groove plywood.
This material works well but can be noisy when people walk on it. It’s recommended that you use a rubber mat or carpet pad under this to decrease the noise.
How Do You Build Sauna Floors?
Are you interested in building your own sauna floor, DIY style? When done right, this can save you a fair amount of money.
You can build a sauna floor in your home by following these steps:
Step 1. Choose the right materials.
Step 2. Prepare the subfloor.
Step 3. Lay the foam insulation boards.
Step 4. Install the joists.
Step 5. Install the sub-flooring.
Step 6. Add underlayment and floor covering.
Step 7. Cover all loose dirt with concrete using a trowel or shovel until all your footings are covered with about a 1-inch thick layer of concrete.
Step 8: You can fit your tiles or wood onto the concrete if you prefer these materials for your sauna floor.
DIY – How to Build a Sauna Floor for Yourself
Let’s briefly cover some top tips on how to build the best sauna floor.
First off, remember to choose your material carefully. The material you choose for sauna flooring will affect its appearance, durability, and cost over time.
Use waterproofing materials when needed, especially if you have a wet sauna. Make sure to use high-heat retention materials to save on your energy bill.
Your sauna floor should be durable enough to withstand frequent use without showing signs of wear.
Conclusion
Sauna flooring is an integral part of your sauna experience. With so many different styles, choosing the right material can be stressful.
Take some time to understand the different materials, and what you want for your sauna. Do you want something more stylish, or are you after pure durability?
If you’re considering investing in sauna flooring, we hope this article has given you some ideas!