Planning tips

Basically, all rooms are suitable for the installation of a sauna at home: from the cellar to the attic. Even rooms with structural peculiarities, such as roof beams, chimneys, wall slopes or windows can become a wellness retreat - after all, all Küng saunas are custom-made for you. This means that the sauna adapts to your home and your needs, not the other way around. The only technical requirement is a power connection and the possibility to ventilate the room well. If there is not enough space in the house, you can install an outdoor sauna in the garden or on the terrace: In the arbour, in the garden shed or tool shed - Küng Sauna has still found a convincing solution.

The average size for a private home sauna is 2.2 x 2.0 m - but other dimensions are also possible. Customisation is standard at Küng Sauna. This means that the ultimate wellness experience is also possible in the smallest of spaces, for example with our model Infraflex® Trias. Trias offers great wellness pleasure in the smallest of spaces.

The room in which the sauna for the home is installed should ideally be 20 cm higher than the planned sauna cabin. When placing the technology and sockets above the sauna, there should be a height difference of 40 cm between the sauna ceiling and the room ceiling. The floor, however, is of particular importance: it must be flat and easy to clean with a damp cloth. Natural stone, ceramic tiles, linoleum or paint are particularly suitable; a sealed or oiled wooden or cork floor is also suitable under certain conditions. In addition, electricity supply and sufficient ventilation are important prerequisites for sauna installation at home. Of course, a given building situation can also be optimised before the sauna is installed.

A sauna usually consists of the following separate areas in the public area: Changing area and sanitary facilities, sauna cabin, cooling showers (or dipping vats etc.) and a rest area. In a private sauna it is sufficient to have a shower and a rest area next to the sauna. Everything else is a plus in comfort that can, but does not have to be.

Above all, the topic of energy saving plays a central role. Not only for the protection of the environment, but also to keep the running costs of a sauna as low as possible. Küng saunas therefore have a multi-layered structure and an insulated shell that stores heat and releases it evenly inside. In order to minimise energy consumption, Küng has ingeniously designed the heater technology in such a way that the sauna's heating time is significantly reduced. For optimal energy efficiency, great importance is also placed on thermal insulation and the right choice of wood.

Glass has a low heat storage capacity, that's true. However, glass sauna walls still have little negative impact on the sauna climate. Multi-layered wall constructions made of wood and insulating materials compensate for heat loss through the glass fronts. We recommend that you always choose the proportion of glass in a sauna so that there is a healthy relationship with the wood. After all, wood plays a significant role in creating a pleasant climate.

The Oven is the heart of the sauna and must be the focus of attention during planning. The choice of the right stove and its location are decisive for the desired sauna experience. The control and its intuitiveness and ease of use are also part of this. Depending on the application area, sauna size and situation, different solutions are possible in terms of performance, design and operation. Modern sauna controls regulate temperature and its constancy, humidity, light intensity and colour, and other forms of therapy. In addition, they offer further conveniences such as pre-selection and selection or remote control via other mobile end devices such as a mobile phone or tablet.

The supply air is usually ensured via the door gap in the case of glass doors without a seal. In a private sauna, the exhaust air is fed back into the room. This must therefore always be well ventilated. The exhaust air situation is assessed according to the existing situation. In some cases, an additional ventilation system is necessary.

Appearance is one thing - but when choosing wood for the interior of a sauna, you should pay particular attention to its properties. For with the wall and ceiling elements, it is important that the warmth and moisture of the sauna is not lost. The resinous polar pine is particularly suitable here due to its wood quality: its exceptional fibre density and stability as well as its incomparable resinous scent, which lasts for decades, make the knotty polar pine Küng's favourite. Knowledge of the specific properties of different types of wood determines the quality and durability, but also the character of a sauna. Increasingly, however, hardwoods are also finding their way into the sauna, such as light and even aspen wood and noble alder wood.

Sauna loungers must be comfortable and hygienic. That is why Küng Sauna uses European softwoods such as aspen and alder for loungers, which are knot-, resin- and splinter-free and at the same time optimally cope with humidity and high temperature fluctuations. When designing the floor plan, a wide variety of lounger arrangements are conceivable. However, a corner arrangement is ideal: because it is communicative and makes the best possible use of the space.

As a sauna manufacturer, Küng Sauna provides the following guarantees for systems and equipment that have been demonstrably maintained properly: 10 years on sauna cabins, 5 years on the sauna heater, 2 years on the control unit, heating elements and other technical equipment.

Every Küng sauna is manufactured individually according to the customer's wishes. This also means different equipment options for heater, control and climate. A Finnish sauna heater stands for the original sauna experience with high temperatures, infusion and a strong heat rise. But even with a bio heater, you don't have to do without the Finnish climate. Different climate settings are possible, from the dry-hot Finnish sauna to the gentle bio-climate.

Every Küng sauna is made to measure. Most of the cabins are manufactured in element construction, from a multi-layer, particularly energy-saving wall construction. This offers many advantages in terms of design, as many customisation options are available and there are practically no design limits. Alternatively, the solid wood or log construction method probably embodies the origin of the sauna tradition best and offers typical Finnish sauna enjoyment.

The better the insulation and isolation of the sauna cabin, the less heat is lost to the environment. A sauna with thick walls therefore consumes less electricity than models with a thin wall thickness and poor insulation. Both can be improved later to reduce energy consumption. A not too long preheating time of the sauna cabin and regular maintenance also reduce electricity consumption. For example, insufficient air circulation in the heater jacket or porous sauna stones will cause the temperature of the heating elements to rise dramatically. This means an increase in energy consumption due to longer heating phases and a shortened life of the heating elements. If the sauna offers space for several people, simultaneous use is more cost-efficient than single use.

The cost of electricity for the operation of a sauna depends on several factors. The more powerful the heater and larger the sauna, the more energy is needed. For an average sauna evening, the consumption for an average home sauna for 2-4 people is about 9kW. With just under 50 hours of operation per year, the costs for a small sauna with 6.5 kW of power and a price of 0.20 CHF per kWh are just under 65 CHF per year. For the larger versions with 15.5 kW power, the cost of energy consumption rises to about 155 CHF per year. If you compare this with the entrance fees to public saunas or the ecological footprint for the trip to the gym, however, a sauna at home is still an advantage. This is true in terms of cost, health benefits and privacy.

In contrast to the indoor sauna, the installation takes place outside, which also results in higher requirements for the construction and the materials used. In the garden, a foundation is important and in general, the sauna must be designed to be weather resistant to withstand snow, rain and wind in the long term. However, with a stronger wall structure and the necessary insulation, this is not a problem with the outdoor sauna.

For the construction of our Nido Outdoor model, you need a floor space of 2.23 x 2.27 metres and for the larger version of the Nido XL 3.0 x 2.27 metres. If you are also planning an anteroom for changing, a shower or cloakroom, an additional 1.09 x 2.27 metres of space is required. We recommend that you plan an additional 2 to 4 square metres of space for a comfortable lounging and sitting area, so that you can relax comfortably after your sauna session. If you would like a roof, a height of 2.4 metres must be included for the Nido outdoor sauna.

In principle, your own garden is ideal for an outdoor sauna, for example next to the garden pool. Under certain conditions, it is also possible to set up a sauna on a terrace, on the flat roof of your house or in unusual places, such as on the roof of a carport. It is important that the distance from the sauna to the control panel does not exceed 20 metres, unless the control panel is attached directly to the sauna.

The control panel is located in the outdoor sauna itself as standard. Optionally, the control panel can also be routed up to 20m away from the sauna into the living quarters. Optionally, the outdoor sauna can also be put into operation via W-Lan and conveniently controlled from a mobile phone. Note: commissioning out of sight requires additional fire protection safety elements to prevent unintentional commissioning.

The electrical installation for this model is provided by the customer. In principle, a stronger power connection is required for operation. This depends on the sauna heater used. When using electric heaters, the corresponding power supply line is required. For the smaller model of the Nido this is 1x400V/16A + 1x230V/13A and for the larger model of the Nido XL it is 2x 400V/16A + 1x230V/13A.

If you choose the option of a shower, an additional connection for the water supply is necessary. Since the supply lines for an outdoor sauna also have to withstand lower temperatures, they must be permanently installed in a frost-proof manner.

To ensure that the heat in the sauna remains stable even at low outside temperatures and that not too much energy is lost, good insulation with an insulation value of at least 0.5 W/m2K is recommended. The U-value of the windows should be 1.0 W/m2K or lower. In our outdoor sauna Nido Outdoor, the ceiling and walls as well as the sauna floor are well insulated to achieve these values, so that temperature differences between the sauna cabin and the surroundings do not lead to energy losses.Existing windows and glass fronts are thermally insulated with insulating glass.

The larger version of the Nido Outdoor XL weighs around 2350 kilograms including the vestibule, which means a line load of 280 kg/lfm wall. If you do not know the maximum permitted load for your house, you should ask a structural engineer for advice. They will be able to tell you exactly whether or not the conditions are right for you to place an outdoor sauna.

As a general rule, planning permission is required if the outdoor sauna exceeds a certain floor area. The maximum dimensions are generally 1.5 metres in height and more than 2 square metres in total surface area. It is also important to know whether the sauna is permanently connected to the ground. In Switzerland, planning permission is required in all cases. But you can easily apply for one at your local planning office.

Saunas are wooden constructions.

To speed up the process of obtaining planning permission, it is advisable to submit a site plan containing all the necessary information on surface area and height beforehand. Once you have applied for planning permission, you will receive guidelines from the planning office that you must follow during construction. For example, the distances from the property boundary, which generally have to be between 2 and 4 metres, depending on the case. From a legal point of view, an outdoor sauna is classed as a garden shed and is therefore assessed differently by the cantons and communes in terms of building law.

If you do not install the Nido Outdoor on a terrace or flat roof, but in a garden, you will need a stable foundation. For installation on the ground, we recommend a strip foundation or point foundation made of concrete, depending on the soil conditions. The foundation must be 100% straight and provide sufficient space for the stable construction of the garden sauna.

If, on the other hand, you would like to set up the sauna directly on a concrete roof terrace, the adjustable support feet supplied are usually sufficient. With these, the outdoor sauna can also be optimally aligned in the garden.

With regard to fire protection, there is little to consider when setting up the Nido Outdoor outdoor sauna. Unlike a wood-burning stove, the risk of fire is significantly reduced with an electric heater such as the Nido Outdoor. You also save yourself the inspection by a chimney sweep with an electric heater.

As stipulated in the fire protection regulations, an outdoor sauna with a wooden façade counts as a ventilated façade or a building with a low height and is therefore part of the "other use" class. The rear-ventilated rhomboid formwork made of untreated larch wood and the panels made of glass-fibre-reinforced plastic WSP used for the Nido Outdoor therefore belong to fire behaviour group RF3.

There are saunas that you can operate with a wood-burning stove. However, a sauna stove makes an outdoor sauna a fireplace that requires a permit. The sauna and the chimney therefore require a permit from the local building authority and the chimney sweep must also approve them and check them regularly. If you prefer a traditional wood-burning stove, we will be happy to plan an individual sauna for you. In this case, it is important that you ask your neighbours for their consent and also clarify with the building authority whether an outdoor sauna operated with a wood stove is permitted in your case.

Atmospheric lighting is simply part of relaxing in the sauna. The light should be pleasantly soft but not too dark. Indirect lighting in the corners is particularly inviting, but so is an integrated starry sky. All lighting should be realised with energy-saving and heat-resistant lamps and should not be installed near the heater.

To ensure maximum privacy in the sauna, glass doors and fixed glass panels are also available with frosted glass (frosted glass). Alternatively, they can also be supplied with grey or brown smoked glass. If privacy is less important to you, the sauna is also available with transparent glass panes, which allow an unobstructed view of the interior or the tranquillity of nature.

For the sauna to become a real highlight in the garden, it is important to embed it beautifully in the outdoor area and to design it appropriately. Do you have any questions about planning an individual outdoor sauna or about our modular Nido Outdoor model? Feel free to send us a message or ask for a non-binding consultation.

Request advice for outdoor sauna

A drain or siphon is important for the installation of a steam bath. The siphon itself requires a height of around 15 cm. This height must be taken into account if you plan to sink the floor of the bath into the floor. If there is underfloor heating in the bathroom or in the area of the planned steam bath, it must be professionally relocated. This is best done by a heating engineer who has the necessary know-how. As an alternative to relocation, the tub body can also be placed on the prefabricated floor.

To connect the steam bath, water pipes must be prepared on site by the plumbing specialist. The number of connections varies depending on the type of fittings. For the Lotus variant, two connections for hot water and one for cold water are required. For the SteamFit variant, one connection for hot water and two for cold water are required.

The connections for the power supply must also be prepared on site, ideally by an electrician. For our Lotus model, a 230V/16A connection is required. For the SteamFit model, on the other hand, 400V and, depending on the size of the cabin and generator, an additional fuse with 12 to 32A. You can read all the details about the necessary power connections in the respective data sheets of the steam bath models.

This largely depends on the size of the steam cabin or shower. For the Lotus, SteamFit and SteamShower models there are individual restrictions - depending on the steam generator used. The external dimensions to be provided are given in the technical data sheets. In principle, all dimensions are possible for steam rooms. The Lotus model should not exceed 2 m² for optimum steam generation. For the Steam Fit and SteamShower models, a maximum length of 2 m and a maximum width of 1.3 m are recommended so that steam can form and diffuse optimally inside the cabin.

Design options are available for the colours of the plastic panels used. The large-format panels made of WSP plastic can be finished in any RAL/NCS colour. For even more highlights, a glitter effect "Stratos Diamondsplitter" is also possible. Alternatively, your own image motifs are possible; the prerequisite for the application is a sufficiently large resolution of at least 72 dpi in real size.

The Lotus and SteamFit models are maintenance-free, but regular descaling is still recommended. The frequency is determined by the hardness of the water. When this should take place is determined by the technician after determining the water hardness, so that you are informed by the system in good time about the impending descaling. With the Lotus model, you can easily do the descaling yourself, with the SteamFit model, the descaling service is recommended by a specialist due to more complex technology.

Küng steam baths are usually supplied complete with cabin, sealing and the necessary technology. This means you get everything from a single source and always have a competent contact person for your steam bath. The Lotus and SteamFit steam bath models can be installed on an on-site tiled floor or shower floor.

To avoid too much humidity in the bathroom, it is recommended to install it in a room that has a window for ventilation. If this is missing, a technical exhaust air solution can be a good alternative. In the Lotus model, the cabin has an integrated ventilation system which, with a cabin size of around 2 m² and an average steam duration of 60 minutes, does not produce a quantity of water vapour that is harmful to the building fabric.

For the use of steam baths, there are no rigid recommendations for temperature, humidity or length of stay. The ideal temperature can be different for everyone. Recommended steam bath temperatures are in the range of 35 to 45°, depending on what you find comfortable. You can stay in the steam bath for at least 20 to 30 minutes and a maximum of 60 minutes. In the Lotus model, the running time is limited to 60 minutes, but after expiry, a new steam bath cycle can be started directly. With a SteamFit generator, the default setting for the running time is 3h.

Yes, of course, the Lotus and SteamFit steam baths are ideal for using essences and essential oils. Depending on the desired effect, there are different essences that you can order, for example, in the Küng shop. In the Lotus natural herbal steam bath, natural herbal mixtures can also be used as an alternative to our essences.

It takes about 10 to 15 minutes for the first steam to form and the necessary heat to build up in the cabin.

The insulation and isolation play a decisive role in the energy consumption of the steam bath. The more the steam room is insulated, the lower the power consumption. An average stay in the steam bath lasts about 20 minutes, with three passes it comes to about one hour. The power consumption depends on the size of the steam room. Small cabins with 8.5 kW power cost only 55 CHF (0.20 CHF kWh) for about 32 hours of use per year, while larger cabins with 12.5 kW cost about 80 CHF per year. The annual electricity consumption for a Lotus cabin is about 25 CHF and for a steam shower with SteamFit generator 40 CHF.

With five to ten liters per steam cycle, water consumption is minimal. The power of the heating elements is 1.5 to 3 kW. By way of comparison, a kettle has an output of around 2 kW.

Compared to simple whirlpool tubs, the water can remain in a whirlpool for a long time because it is regularly circulated and cleaned. A complete replacement is nevertheless recommended once or twice a year for hygienic reasons.

Depending on the model size, the whirlpool weighs between 200 and 400 kg. In addition, the weight of the water of around 1,200 to 2,700 kg and the body weight of the persons bathing must be taken into account. It is best to inform a structural engineer of the calculated total weight, who will then professionally assess the load-bearing capacity of the structure for you and inform you of the possible maximum weight for your terrace or the floor of the bath.

A 400V/16A power connection is required for the installation of a whirlpool.

Once or twice a year, the water in the whirlpool must be completely replaced. It doesn't matter whether you use a permanently installed water supply or a garden hose. It is also practical if there is a drain near the whirlpool. A standard submersible pump is recommended for pumping out the water, but some models also have fixed drain connections if you want to permanently install a drain.

That is entirely up to you. Depending on your personal preference and state of mind, you can remain seated for as long as is comfortable for you. For optimal relaxation, we recommend a duration of about 30 minutes.

If the whirlpool tub is partially or fully recessed in the ground, you generally need a permit for installation. A permit is also required if you want to provide the whirlpool tub with a fixed surround and install it in the ground. You can obtain this from your local building authority.

Yes, as long as the water quality is right, maintenance is not necessary. The pH value can be easily checked with a measuring device. The ideal range for the pH value in your whirlpool is between 7.2 and 7.8.

All information for the correct emptying and winter storage of a hot tub can be found in the following information sheet.

KWAG brochure on draining and winterizing whirlpools

A spa's power consumption is a function of its size and model, operating and ambient temperature, and frequency of use. For optimal energy efficiency, look for multi-layered insulation, efficient pumping performance and quality cover when purchasing.

A HotSpring spa consumes between 1700 and 2500 kWh of electrical energy per year, depending on the model, frequency of use, water temperature and ambient temperature. This corresponds to an amount of CHF 300 to 450, depending on local electricity costs. In comparison, lower quality hot tubs consume an amount of electricity of more than 8000 kWh/year under the same conditions.