A sauna in a bathroom, attic or garage

Updated by the Home Sauna Guide Team

The short answer

A spare room is the simplest place for an indoor sauna. A bathroom works if there's space and the wiring follows the rules for wet rooms. An attic needs enough height and joists strong enough for the weight. A garage needs insulation and a dry floor. Any room needs ventilation and, for traditional heaters, a dedicated circuit.

On this page
  1. Room by room
  2. Bathroom
  3. Attic
  4. Garage
  5. Every room
  6. Common questions

Room by room

RoomWhy it worksWhat to check
Spare roomEasiest. Dry, warm and usually near a socket.Floor covering, ventilation
BathroomHandy for showering and cooling off.Electrical rules for wet rooms, humidity, space
AtticUses empty space.Height, joist strength, access, fire safety
GarageRoom for a bigger cabin.Cold, damp floor, insulation, fumes and storage

Bathroom

  • Wiring: bathrooms have extra rules on what electrical equipment can go where. A registered electrical contractor must do the work and certify it.
  • Extraction: if the sauna vents into the bathroom, Harvia says the bathroom needs mechanical extraction and the sauna door needs at least a 100 mm gap underneath.
  • Space: leave room for the sauna door to open outwards and for you to get around it.
  • Flooring: the cabin should sit on a level, water-resistant floor.

Attic

  • Height: measure the clear height where the cabin will go, not at the ridge. Many cabins are about 1.9 to 2.1 m tall.
  • Weight: a cabin, heater, stones and people add up. Wicklow County Council's loft guidance says the ceiling joists' strength should be checked by a professional before flooring an attic.
  • Getting it up there: panels must fit through the hatch or stairs.
  • Building regulations: if you're converting the attic into a room, fire escape and structural rules apply. Get an architect or engineer involved.
  • Heat: attics get hot in summer and cold in winter, so insulation matters.

Garage

  • Cold and damp: an uninsulated garage makes the sauna slower to heat. Consider insulating the garage, and keep the cabin off a damp concrete floor.
  • Keep it clear of petrol, paint, chemicals and anything flammable.
  • Fumes: don't run car engines in the garage while it's in use, and make sure the space is ventilated.
  • Supply: garages often have a small or shared circuit. A traditional heater needs its own circuit from the consumer unit.

Every room

  • Ventilation, both for the sauna and the room it's in. See sauna ventilation.
  • Electrics: a traditional heater needs a dedicated circuit. See electrical requirements.
  • Clearances the maker gives around and above the cabin.
  • Access for panels through doors and up stairs.

Common questions

Can you put a sauna in a bathroom?

Often, yes, if there's room. The sauna has to be suited to the humidity, and the wiring must follow the extra rules for bathrooms, done by a registered electrical contractor. A bathroom with a shower is handy for cooling off.

Can I put a sauna in my attic?

Possibly, but check the joists can take the weight with a structural engineer, measure the height under the roof, and plan how you'll get the panels up. If you're converting the attic into a room, building regulations, including fire escape rules, apply.

Can you put a sauna in a garage?

Yes, and it's a common spot. Insulate it or choose a well-insulated cabin, raise it off a cold, damp floor if needed, keep it away from fuel and chemicals, and make sure the garage is ventilated.

How high does a room need to be for a sauna?

Many indoor cabins are about 1.9 to 2.1 m tall, and you need some space above for air and fitting. Some heaters set a minimum: Harvia's Virta Combi needs a room at least 2 m high. Check the model's height before you buy.

Do I need planning permission for an indoor sauna?

Generally not for a sauna inside your house, unless it's a protected structure. Building regulations can still apply to related work, such as an attic conversion.

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