8x8 outdoor sauna with a Harvia Cilindro electric stove, WiFi controls, and hex tile floor with drain.
The main thing driving this custom outdoor sauna design was privacy. The property is in a residential neighborhood in South Lake Tahoe with fences and neighbors on both sides, so we had to be deliberate about window sizing and placement. The 8x8 structure has 8-foot interior ceilings and a Harvia Cilindro 8kW electric sauna heater (240V dedicated circuit) connected to a Xenio WiFi control system so the owner can preheat the sauna from inside the house. We did a three-tier L-bench layout to get people up high in the heat zone where you actually want to be — heat stratification means the top bench can be 30-40 degrees hotter than floor level. I shiplapped the western red cedar interior panels myself using a dado blade on a table saw — it's a cost-effective alternative to buying pre-milled tongue-and-groove sauna paneling. Hex penny tile on the floor with a drain so this sauna is set up for full wet room bathing, not just dry use. The exterior is stained dark brown to match the house so it blends into the backyard. After we finished the design, we connected the owner with a local sauna builder who got it done quickly and at a good price.
“Great experience working with the Tahoe Sauna Company! Super communicative and flexible throughout the entire design and build process. The finished sauna exceeded our expectations — the Harvia Cilindro stove heats up fast and the WiFi controls are a game changer.”
Estimated material cost: ~$5,100 (not including labor). The Harvia Cilindro stove and WiFi system account for a significant portion of the material budget. Total design/build range: $10–14k depending on contractor rates and site conditions. This is a planning range only; your contractor provides the final price.
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 Outdoor Sauna Plan – Harvia Cilindro & Privacy Design — $49
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We design custom outdoor saunas around real constraints — privacy, snow loads, tight spaces, HOA rules. Let us know what you're working with.
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.
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