The sauna in the outdoor area: sweating in the open air
Saunas can be installed virtually anywhere: Under the stairs, in the hallway - and of course in the garden. Healthy sweating in the open air is considered the most original form of healthy ritual. Would you like to give the open space by the natural pond a new purpose or add a sauna to your roof terrace? We can turn your longing into an individual outdoor sauna. Unlike a sauna barrel, you won't get a standard solution from us, but a custom-made sauna house that fits perfectly into your home. From the cozy log cabin made of wood to the modern design object to the multifunctional garden sauna house: At Küng, your garden sauna is optimally planned and manufactured to fit perfectly. If you would like to buy a high-quality sauna, we will be happy to advise you personally and work with you to develop the right solution.
Our garden sauna models
Property in the countryside: your own sauna house in the garden
Building an outdoor sauna is usually more challenging and can be more cost-intensive than building an indoor sauna. Depending on the circumstances, the design and construction of a garden sauna places different demands on the sauna manufacturer, but also on the client. For example, a sauna house in the countryside requires a foundation and an outer shell that is resistant to wind and weather. On the other hand, you have complete freedom when it comes to the dimensions, customization and luxury features of your garden sauna - from modern sauna technology to a combination with an infrared sauna. For the purchase of your outdoor sauna, you have an expert partner with many years of experience in sauna construction in Switzerland at your side.
Customized outdoor saunas from Küng Wellness
Completion list for the sauna house in the garden
- Foundation:
Depending on the ground conditions, either a concrete slab or strip foundations must be laid on site for the outdoor sauna.
- Tinsmith work:
If the installation location of the garden sauna is not already covered, plumbing work is required on the roof of the outdoor sauna on site.
- Stronger power connection for the oven:
A Finnish sauna heater as the central element of every sauna in the outdoor and indoor area requires at least 400V / 16A. In most cases, however, a 400V / 32A connection is required for the heater. An additional 230V / 13A connection is required for a combination heater.
- Insulation:
The sauna floor is insulated and fitted with a moisture barrier - unless a heated floor is installed on site.
- Weatherproof exterior cladding:
For example, materials such as exposed concrete, natural stone, CNS or Eternit are suitable. A log cabin-style sauna house is made of weatherproof solid wood - except for the door and windows. This ensures that your sauna house in the garden remains permanently protected and visually appealing.
- Sauna cabin:
In order to maintain the optimum temperature in an outdoor sauna, a stronger wall structure and more insulation is required for the outdoor sauna than for an indoor model. At the same time, you can flexibly determine the size of your garden sauna and design it entirely according to your wishes.
- Control:
The control panel of the control unit is preferably placed indoors. Depending on the control system, a mobile control unit, cell phone or tablet is used directly in the sauna as an alternative.
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Our consultants look forward to supporting you with your project for your personal wellness oasis.
Planning tips for buying an outdoor sauna
What is the difference to an indoor sauna?
In contrast to indoor saunas, they are installed outside, which places higher demands on the structure and the materials used. A foundation is important for a sauna house in the garden, and an outdoor sauna must generally be designed to be weatherproof in order to withstand snow, rain and wind in the long term. Compared to a classic sauna barrel, a custom-made outdoor sauna offers more comfort, individual size and design options. However, with a stronger wall structure and the necessary insulation, this is not a problem.
How much space is needed to set up a Nido Outdoor?
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.
Which locations are ideal for installing an 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.
How does the control system work?
The control panel is located in the outdoor sauna itself as standard. Alternatively, the control panel can also be located up to 20 meters away from the sauna in the house or in an adjoining anteroom. As an option, the outdoor sauna can also be put into operation via Wi-Fi and conveniently controlled from a cell phone. Note: Operation out of sight requires additional fire protection safety elements to prevent unintentional operation.
What power supply line is required for operation?
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.
Which connections are necessary for the installation of a shower?
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.
What insulation value is recommended for the outdoor sauna?
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.
How heavy can the sauna be on a roof terrace or flat roof?
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.
When do I need planning permission?
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.
Does a garden sauna need a foundation and what are the specifications for the terrace?
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.
What about fire protection requirements?
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.
Can the sauna be heated with a wood stove? What do I have to consider here?
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.
Which lighting is recommended?
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.
What privacy shielding options does Küng offer for an outdoor sauna?
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.
How do I plan an outdoor sauna?
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.
How much does an outdoor sauna cost?
The cost of an outdoor sauna naturally varies depending on the desired size and features. Building an individual outdoor sauna is usually more demanding and can be more cost-intensive than an indoor sauna. Depending on the construction method and the conditions on site, it presents the sauna builder, but also the client, with different challenges. For example, the object in the garden requires a foundation and a building permit. With the Nido modular outdoor sauna, no other on-site requirements are necessary apart from these two points. Starting at a price of CHF 36,800, it is ready for the first feel-good experience of a garden sauna in no time at all.