Sauna Installation in Toronto & GTA

Not sure? A Hybrid system offers the flexibility of both worlds.

Most residential saunas underperform because they are treated as carpentry projects, not thermal systems.

Common Failure Points:

• No Thermal Break: Installing directly on cold basement concrete turns the floor into a heatsink. The heater never shuts off.
• Poor Ventilation: Without a “High-Low” airflow loop, CO2 builds up, and heat stratifies (hot head, cold feet).
• Fire Hazards: Ignoring manufacturer clearances to combustible materials.
• Weak Insulation: Using standard fiberglass instead of rigid foil-faced ISO boards.

We engineer saunas for safety, efficiency, and “Löyly” (good steam).

1. The Thermal Envelope (R-12 to R-20)
   • Reflective Vapor Barrier: We use foil-faced vapor barriers to reflect radiant heat back into the room.
   • Thermal Break: We isolate the sauna frame from the basement foundation to prevent heat loss.
2. Ventilation Logic (Critical)

   We engineer a “High-Low” airflow loop to prevent stratification:

   • Intake: Fresh air enters directly under the heater.
   • Exhaust: Stale air is pulled from the opposite side (low or ceiling) to force heat across the bench zone.
   • Result: Even heat distribution and fresh oxygen levels.
3. Fire Safety & Electrical (ESA)
   • Clearances: Strict adherence to heater-specific safety distances.
   • Electrical: Dedicated 240V circuits (Hardwired). All work includes ESA Inspection.
   • Safety: Emergency shut-off integration and non-combustible heater guards.
4. Heater Sizing & Stone Mass
   • We size heaters (kW) based on cubic footage AND glass surface area.
   • We use heaters with high Stone Mass (Harvia, Huum, Tylo) for soft, sustained heat, not harsh scorching air.

Wood Species (Knot-Free & Low Resin):

• Clear Western Red Cedar: The gold standard. Antimicrobial, aromatic, stable.
• Hemlock: Hypoallergenic, low-aroma, lighter color.
• Thermo-Aspen: Dark, rich color, thermally modified for zero warping.

Glass & Doors:

• 10mm Tempered Safety Glass (Bronze or Clear).
• Engineered gaps for air intake (undercut doors).

Basement Reality:

90% of Toronto saunas are in basements. We use specific closed-cell insulation strategies to prevent condensation behind the walls when hot meets cold.

Condo Installations:

Possible, but strictly regulated. Requires 208V/240V compatibility checks and fire-suppression integration (sprinklers).

Pricing reflects custom construction, electrical work, and premium materials.

• Custom Infrared Sauna: $12,000 – $18,000+
• Traditional Finnish Sauna: $18,000 – $28,000+
• Glass-Front / Hybrid Builds: $28,000 – $40,000+

Includes: Framing, Insulation, Electrical (ESA), Heater, and Finish.