The first decision in sauna building to make is which stove to use: electric, gas, or wood burning. Your choice may be influenced by the geographic location. In case you live in the country with plentiful firewood and minimum of environmental impact of the fires, the wood burning stove is the best performer and must be considered first choice.

The pleasing aroma and smoothness of the wood stove are hardly matched with electric or gas stoves. However in cities, electric and gas heated saunas are the most practical. You do not need any preparation like cutting and carrying wood and priming the fire. Such stoves are easy to clean and leave no ashes. Though electric stoves outsell gas stoves by far, gas is three times cheaper than electricity in most parts of the country.

The type of sauna you build can also be determined by the local building codes may also; for instance, ordinances, which vary from community to community, may restrict the use of wood burning stoves. At times they require definite types of stoves, fire insulation, flues and chimneys. Usually since the majority of saunas are not used as habitual rooms, building regulations are minimal.

If you have chosen a stove start planning for the following:

▬ Plan the size of the sweat room where the heater will be placed. It depends on the number of bathers, the capacity of stove and bench arrangement.

▬ Decide what provision for washing you are going to have. It is recommended to have a separate washing room, but space or budget limitations may necessitate washing inside the sweat room (a common practice in Finnish countryside saunas). Anyway plan a means of producing hot water.

▬ Plan a dressing/relaxing room or some protection against the elements. It may be a simple placement of wind breakers or even an open porch next to the sweat room.

▬ Plan a clean, simple design using wood, as this material inspires quiet socializing, meditation and a retreat from the rigors of the day.

▬ Think over the location. As a place to cool the body after a session in the sweat room is required, the ideal place for a sauna is near a lake, river or an ocean. Still a swimming pool or a simple shower will serve well. Think of your neighbors. Put your cooling area (where you don't want to be hampered by clothes) with discretion.

▬ Another point to take care of is orientation. Get to know the course of the sun and moon and plan your windows, doors and porches to catch their light. This will delightfully add to the mood of the sauna.