sauna project
So we're building a sauna. Kate and I considered doing this not so seriously after enjoying the Red Pine co-op sauna, which is worth asking about if you are curious. It was one of those things that was fun to talk about but seemed like a non-starter. The idea was floated during casual conversation to our pal Keith. His enthusiasm to help me see it through led to us making actual plans to build the thing. After much research and planning, we broke ground in April 2021. Keith and I are slowly chipping away and hope to have it done by the fall. As it stands currently, we've got 3 out of 4 walls framed. The end result should hopefully sit 6 comfortably and will be heated with a Kuuma wood stove which I've already purchased. The structure is 8' x 12' and will feature a changing room. Long term plans include a front porch and outdoor shower. Looking forward to having you over to sauna with us this winter. Stay tuned for mote updates.
-
Layout
Pounded in 8 batter boards with strings to create the layout and start to square up the work area. -
Batterboard closeup
The foundation holes will go where the lines intersect. -
Groundhog I
We rented this awful thing to make 10" holes in the ground. -
Groundhog II
The holes will ultimately be 4' deep. -
Groundhog III
It's supposedly a single person machine to operate but that is definitely not the case. -
Groundhog close up
It's a Groundhog. -
Water
Taking a breather -
Foreman Yoshi
He's been keeping things in order. -
Holes are in
Done with the awful Groundhog. -
Scott
Cameo appearance from Scott, he helped put the finishing touches on the holes. -
Battlezone
Lots of dirt and holes. -
Concrete Chris
Mixing it up and making a pose. -
Into the hole
Mix the concrete, pour it into the tubes. -
Tub
This tub did not make it out in one piece. -
Poured sonotube
End product of the hole. Tube goes in the hole, concrete goes in the tube, bolt goes in the concrete. Guided in by the strings coming off the batter boards. -
Time to use wood
Done with moving earth and pouring concrete. Let's cut some posts. -
Saw and Keith
-
Keith
It's Keith. -
Post, bracket & beam
Post is attached to a bracket, bracket is attached to the bolt in the concrete. Beam is attached to the top of the post. -
Three Beams
Beams go across the 6 posts and will support the structure. -
Joists
Joists go across the three beams and will hold up the insulated sub-floor. -
Same as before
But a little diffetent. -
Insulate
Foam insulation goes between the floor joists. -
Score and cut
Cut partway through the insulation, then snap. -
Chris
It is me. -
Coming together
Holes, tubes, concrete, bolt, posts, joists and insulation. -
Make it square
Checking the level. -
Subfloor
Sits atop everything, underneath the rest. -
Screw into place
Making the subfloor permanent. -
Keith & subfloor
Keith doing the same. -
Framing begins
Next step is walls! Lay them out then pound them together. -
Outer wall done!
3 more to go.
