8x8 outdoor sauna with a Harvia Cilindro electric stove, WiFi controls, and hex tile floor with drain.
The main thing driving this 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 really deliberate about window sizing and placement. The 8x8 structure has 8-foot interior ceilings and a Harvia Cilindro 8kW electric stove connected to a Xenio WiFi system so the owner can turn it on 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. I shiplapped the cedar interior panels myself using a dado blade on a table saw — it's a good way to save on material costs without giving up quality. Hex penny tile on the floor with a drain so this sauna is set up for full bathing, not just dry use. The exterior is stained dark brown to match the owner's house so it doesn't stick out in the yard. After we finished the design, we connected the owner with a local 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 saunas around real constraints — privacy, snow, tight spaces. 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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