Where Tahoe Sauna Company started. Finnish-inspired design, three-tier benches, and built to handle Tahoe winters.
This is where it all began. Before Tahoe Sauna Company was a business, it was a personal obsession — months of researching Finnish sauna design principles, studying heat stratification, bench ergonomics, and ventilation before building anything. The result was this 8×8 cedar sauna on Fountain Ave in South Lake Tahoe. The design prioritized getting users high in the heat zone with three tiers of benches, strategic window placement for views of the surrounding trees while maintaining privacy, and a Harvia KIP 80 electric heater with manual controls. Years later, it's still holding up strong through harsh Tahoe winters — a testament to quality materials and proper insulation. This sauna is the reason Tahoe Sauna Company exists.
Every Tahoe Sauna Company design draws from lessons learned on this build. The 8×8 footprint was chosen to maximize building material efficiency. The 7.5-foot ceiling height was deliberately lower than standard to keep heat concentrated at bench level — a core Finnish principle that many first-time builders overlook. Manual heater controls were chosen over WiFi to keep costs down without sacrificing performance. These are the kinds of practical, experience-driven decisions that inform every project we take on today.
Includes the layout, materials list, heater sizing, bench dimensions, and design notes — everything you need to use this project as a reference for your own build.
8x8 Electric Sauna Plan — $49
Your plan package will be delivered to your email within 24 hours of purchase.
We'll design your sauna based on real experience — not guesswork.
Start the Design ProcessTahoe Sauna Company provides design and consulting services only. Construction was performed by an independent, properly licensed contractor hired directly by the client under a separate agreement.
12 decisions that determine how well your sauna performs — insulation, bench height, heater sizing, ventilation, and more. Get them right before you build.
Schedule a free 15-minute intro call or send us a message about your project.
We'll learn about your space, goals, and timeline — and recommend the right next step for your project.