The right outdoor sauna foundation is any surface that is flat, stable and drains well: a concrete pad, pavers set on compacted gravel, a compacted gravel pad, or a deck strong enough to carry the weight. Dundalk Leisurecraft, the Canadian maker of the barrel and cabin saunas we sell, lists all four as workable bases. The one thing to avoid is setting a sauna directly on grass or bare soil, because moisture wicks up into the wood and speeds up decay. Below: each option, what the manufacturer’s instructions say, and how to size a pad.
What Dundalk Leisurecraft says about the base
Two manufacturer documents cover site prep.
- The Cedar Barrel Sauna Assembly Instructions say to clear loose vegetation and soil, level the ground with a slight slope for drainage, then fill the area with 2 to 4 inches of crushed limestone gravel, level it and tamp it. Patio stones are also shown, and a solid concrete slab or a new or existing wooden deck are described as good options “as long as they drain well.” If you are unsure how to proceed with a slab or deck, the manual says to consult a professional building contractor.
- Leisurecraft’s outdoor sauna buying guide says your sauna needs a flat, stable, well drained surface. It names a 4 inch concrete slab as the most permanent choice (preferred for cube saunas) and 3/4 inch clear stone compacted to 4 inches for barrel and cabin saunas, and says the ground should slope slightly away so water drains clear.
Note the small difference: the barrel manual says 2 to 4 inches of gravel, while the newer buying guide says compacted to 4 inches. If you are choosing, the deeper figure gives you more margin.
Barrel sauna foundation: cradles change the job
A barrel sauna does not sit on its floor. It rests on wooden cradles, and the cradles are what touch your base. Our listing for the Dundalk CT Harmony 4 Person Barrel Sauna notes that the kit includes solid cedar cradles and that the barrel is 7 feet in diameter.
According to the barrel manual, saunas with an overall length under ten feet ship with two cradles, and those ten feet or longer get three. The cradles must be level on top of their footings, evenly spaced and in a straight line, because the bottom staves are screwed to them first and every other stave builds from there. If the cradles are out of level, the whole barrel will be too.
That is why a barrel sauna foundation can be simpler than a cabin base: individual gravel pads or pavers under each cradle are allowed. A full pad is still easier to keep level and keeps weeds down. Porch models such as the CT Tranquility 6 Person Barrel Sauna and the CT Serenity 6 Person Barrel Sauna (both with a 45 cm front porch) are longer, so confirm their exact length and cradle count before you lay out the base.
Cabin and cube saunas need a full, level surface
Cabin and cube saunas sit on floor framing rather than cradles, so the whole footprint needs support. The Luna assembly instructions open with “Make sure you have a solid, level Foundation” and list a wood deck, patio stones or a concrete pad as examples. Our CT Luna 4 Person Cube Sauna listing confirms the kit includes solid cedar floor joists and floor.
Cabins are also heavy. Our listing for the CT Georgian 6 Person Outdoor Sauna CTC88 gives a gross weight of 1,775.85 lbs, and the Georgian with Changeroom lists 2,624 lbs. These are kit shipping weights, not a design load.
Outdoor sauna foundation options compared
| Base | Relative cost | Pros | Cons | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compacted gravel pad | Low | Drains naturally, easy to level, DIY friendly | Needs edging to stay put; can settle if not tamped well | Barrel and cabin saunas on most yards |
| Gravel pads under each cradle | Lowest | Least digging; allowed in the barrel manual | Harder to keep cradles in line and level; grass grows between | Barrel saunas only |
| Pavers on compacted gravel | Moderate | Clean, finished look; level surface to walk on | Pavers shift if the gravel base is skipped or thin | Barrel saunas and patio settings |
| Concrete pad | Highest | Most permanent; Leisurecraft’s preferred base for cubes | Most labor or contractor cost; must still shed water | Cube and cabin saunas, long term installs |
| Existing or new deck | Varies | Uses space you already have; close to the house | Must carry the full loaded weight and drain well | Only where a contractor or engineer confirms load |
Cost levels are general comparisons, not quotes.
Can a sauna sit on pavers?
Yes. Both the barrel manual and Leisurecraft’s buying guide list patio stones or pavers as a base, with one condition from the guide: set them on a compacted gravel base so they do not shift over time. Pavers laid straight onto soil or sod tend to settle unevenly.
Sauna on a deck: check the load first
A deck works only if the structure can carry the weight. Leisurecraft’s guide says a barrel sauna can weigh 1,500 to 2,500 pounds depending on size and wood type, and tells owners to verify the deck’s load capacity before installation. Before you put any sauna on a deck, have a contractor or structural engineer confirm the framing, footings and joist spans can handle it, and make sure water can drain away rather than pool around the sauna.
How to size the pad
- Start with the footprint on the listing or drawing. The CT Granby 3 Person Outdoor Sauna is described as a 6 ft by 6 ft structure, and the Harmony barrel is 7 ft in diameter. The Georgian listings give outside dimensions of roughly 8.2 by 8.1 for the standard model and 8.2 by 12.1 for the changeroom version (we read these as feet, including the roof).
- Add room for the roof overhang, porch and drip line. We suggest extending the pad past the walls so rain off the roof lands on gravel or stone, not soil, and so you have a dry place to step out.
- Plan for delivery. The Georgian and CT Palmer 6 Person Cabin Sauna listings note delivery by appointment with forklift offloading arranged by the customer, so leave a clear path from the driveway to the pad.
- Confirm before you pour. Call us at 866-777-2590 (Mon to Fri, 9AM to 6PM PST) for the product drawing before you build a permanent base.
Permits, frost and electrical
Permit rules, setbacks and frost depth vary by town and climate, and some areas require permits for accessory structures or concrete work. Check with your local building department before you dig. Electric heaters also need a dedicated circuit installed by a licensed electrician; our home sauna electrical requirements guide covers that step.
Still choosing a style? Read barrel sauna vs cabin sauna, our home sauna buying guide, or browse every Dundalk Leisurecraft model, including the CT Elation 4 Person Barrel Sauna. Orders of $999 or more ship free by freight.
Frequently asked questions
What should I put under an outdoor sauna?
A flat, stable, well drained base: compacted crushed gravel, pavers on a compacted gravel base, a concrete pad, or a deck rated for the weight. Leisurecraft says never to place a sauna directly on grass or bare soil.
How thick should a gravel base be for a barrel sauna?
The Dundalk barrel manual calls for 2 to 4 inches of crushed limestone gravel, leveled and tamped. Leisurecraft’s buying guide suggests 3/4 inch clear stone compacted to 4 inches for barrel and cabin saunas.
Can I put a sauna on an existing deck?
Possibly, if it drains well and can carry the load. Leisurecraft puts barrel saunas at 1,500 to 2,500 pounds, so have a contractor or engineer check your deck first.
Do I need a permit for a sauna pad?
It depends on where you live. Rules for accessory structures, concrete pads and setbacks are local, so check with your building department before you start.
Sources: Dundalk LeisureCraft Cedar Barrel Sauna Assembly Instructions; Dundalk LeisureCraft Luna Cedar Sauna Assembly Instructions; Leisurecraft Outdoor Sauna Buying Guide.
