Sauna Door construction information and parts for building your own. Sauna doors can be all wood with insulated core or have insulated glass unit windows installed for ambient light or view of the scenery. Sauna doors should always open swinging out with a non-locking latch for safety.
When building a traditional Finnish steam sauna door, it is best to use non-corroding Stainless Steel hinges and other quality hardware that will last the life of the sauna. Sauna door construction usually includes insulation, especially for outdoor saunas. A long-lasting sauna door for outdoor sauna use should have 3 layers: (1.) interior unfinished T&G paneling (2.) middle layer with basic wood frame for attaching T&G to both sides and foam insulation pieces cut to fit in and (3.) exterior T&G paneling with stain or clear coating to protect from weather elements.
Sauna door finishing hardware should be stainless steel or at least have a corrosion resistant coating. Self-closing spring hinges are convenient, help keep the sauna hot and save energy by automatically closing the sauna door behind you. A spring loaded ball catch latch is the standard for sauna doors. If you need to keep the sauna door locked when not in use, it is recommended to install a separate lock mechanism or padlock latch instead of installing a household locking door knob assembly. Sauna door handles should be of a simple, comfortable wooden design so they stay cool to the touch. Sauna door handles are one of the only parts of a sauna that can have a stain or sealant applied help keep them clean.
Sauna door sizes are usually just big enough for the average sized sauna enthusiast. This is so there is minimal heat loss when opening the sauna door. Standard sauna door dimensions are:
- 24" x 72" (most popular for home saunas)
- 24" x 77"
- 28" x 77"
- 36" x 80" (handicap accessible for home or commercial saunas)
For indoor saunas, there are readily available pre-hung all glass panel doors.
