Custom sauna vs prefabricated kit: which one to choose?

Adding a sauna to your home is an exciting way to create a personal wellness haven. One of the first decisions you'll have to make on this journey is between customized and prefabricated. In other words, you should order a personalized saunabuilt exactly to your specifications, or buy a prefabricated sauna kit (a prefabricated sauna that you assemble yourself)? Both options can provide the relaxing warmth and health benefits you want, but differ in terms of cost, installation and flexibility. This article explores the advantages and disadvantages of each option - covering differences in cost, installation time e personalization - to help you decide on the best course of action for your sauna project.

Cost considerations

Budget is often an important factor when choosing between a customized sauna and a kit. Generally, sauna kits have a much lower initial cost than fully customized saunas. A small, basic sauna kit (with space for 2 to 4 people) can cost between €4,000 and €8,000, while an exclusive customized sauna can cost from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the size and features.

• Sauna costs customized: Custom saunas are essentially bespoke projects, so the variation in prices is great. Hiring professionals to design and build a sauna from scratch means paying for skilled labor and premium materials. Custom builds generally start at four figures (several thousand dollars) and can easily reach five figures for larger or luxurious installations. Factors such as high-quality wood (e.g. light cedar or hemlock), custom glass doors, specialized lighting/sound systems or integrated spa features add to the cost. In addition to materials, the extensive labor and design work required for a custom sauna adds significantly to the expense. The advantage is that this investment results in a unique sauna, tailored to your home and lifestyle, and can even increase the value of your property as a permanent wellness resource.

• Costs of sauna kits: Prefabricated sauna kits are mass-produced, which keeps their costs down. You can clearly see the price differences between a sauna kit and a customized constructionMany kits range from €5,000 to €8,000 for a standard unit for two to five people, with larger or more luxurious models costing more (high-quality outdoor barrel kits or infrared cabin kits can cost between €8,000 and €15,000). These kits include most of what you need - pre-cut wooden panels, seats, a heater, lighting and fittings - all in one package. If you take care of the assembly yourself, you'll save a lot on installation costs. Even if you use Saunamos' assembly service or hire a technician or electrician for some tasks (such as connecting the heater), the labor time is much shorter than with a custom build, keeping the additional costs modest. For those on a tighter budget, the price of a customized sauna versus a prefabricated one is a deciding factor: the kit will almost always be the more economical choice initially.

The long-term costs are relatively similar for both options. Both will have operating costs (electricity or firewood for the heater) and maintenance costs, such as replacing an element of the heater over the years or routine maintenance - these depend more on the type of heater and the use than on whether it is customized or a kit. A potential financial advantage of a customized sauna is that it becomes part of the house; it can increase the resale value or appeal. A kit is a personal possession that you can take with you, but it doesn't increase the value of your home as a built-in feature. Weigh your budget for the initial investment more heavily, because that's where the big difference lies.

Installation time and effort

Another fundamental difference between building a custom sauna and using a kit is the installation process. If you're eager to start enjoying steam sessions as soon as possible (and with the minimum of hassle), prefabricated sauna kits have a clear advantage in terms of installation time and effort.

• Assembly of the prefabricated kit: Sauna kits are designed for easy assembly. They come with prefabricated panels and detailed instructions, so the process is more like assembling furniture or a modular house. Many kits can be assembled in 1-2 days and smaller kits in just a few hours. For example, you can fit or screw wall panels, install prefabricated benches and the door and connect the heater controls - and voila, it's ready to use. No great construction skills are required; basic DIY skills and common tools (screwdriver, hammer, level) are usually enough. As the walls are pre-built and often self-supporting, there is no need to frame or insulate the surrounding area - this is all provided for in the kit's design. Quick installation means less disruption to your home. There's little or no construction mess and you won't have to deal with contractors coming and going for weeks. Even if you opt for professional help to assemble the sauna kit, it's usually a one-day job. In a nutshell, prefabricated sauna kits stand out for their convenience - you can order one and potentially enjoy a sauna the same weekend it's delivered.

• Custom installation: Building a custom sauna is a more complex project, comparable to a small home renovation. The installation timeframe is longer because it often includes a design phase, procurement of materials and then construction. If you're building from scratch, you'll need solid carpentry skills and significant time to build walls, install insulation and a vapor barrier, interior panels, benches, ventilation and so on. This can take several days or a few weekends of work (or more, depending on the complexity and your experience). If you hire professionals, on-site construction can take several days to a few weeks. This includes all the necessary electrical installation by a licensed electrician for the heater and lights (and plumbing work if, for example, you add a water source or a drain for a steam room or shower). There will be noise and dust as the wood is cut and nailed - something to bear in mind if the sauna is built inside your home. Installation time for custom projects can also be prolonged by licensing or inspection requirements, especially for outdoor saunas or significant internal remodeling. In short, you should expect a customized sauna to take longer to get up and running, compared to a ready-to-use kit. The reward is that the end result is created to perfection for your space - but it takes patience (and possibly contractor supervision) to get there.

In short, if you value quick and simple installationa sauna kit is the best option. If you're prepared for a longer project and perhaps work on your home, and want the end result to blend in perfectly, a custom build is feasible. Just make sure you take into account the time and effort (or supervision) involved in custom work.

Design and customization options

When it comes to customizationthe difference between customized and kit is like a blank canvas versus a pre-drawn sketch. Custom saunas offer virtually unlimited design possibilities, while sauna kits offer a selection of defined designs and sizes.

• Personalization in custom constructions: As the name implies, a customized sauna can be anything you want it to be (within the laws of physics and building codes!). The biggest advantage of a customized building is that it is adapted specifically to your preferences and your space. Do you have an oddly shaped nook in your basement or a specific corner in mind? A customized sauna can be built to fit the exact dimensionsand make efficient use of the available space. You have control over the layout - for example, you can design an L-shaped bench to accommodate more people or include several levels of seating. Every aesthetic detail is up to you: choose the type of wood (classic cedar for its aroma and resistance to rot, or perhaps spruce, pine, poplar, etc. if you have a specific look or aroma in mind), select the tone or finish, choose a door style (solid wood for a traditional feel or glass for a modern touch) and even decide on the location of the windows if you want a view of the outside. You can incorporate special features such as ambient LED lighting, a sound system, customized tiles or stones around the heater, or even a connected changing room or outdoor shower. Essentially, custom saunas allow you to customize every aspect, creating a unique sauna that reflects your style and needs. This is ideal for someone who has a strong design vision or very specific requirements (for example, you may want a traditional Finnish sauna experience with a wood-burning stove and extra insulation, or need the sauna to also function as an infrared therapy room with certain panels in place - custom construction allows you to achieve these goals).

• Customization in prefabricated kits: With a prefabricated sauna kityou can choose from predefined models and features, so customization is more about choosing the right model than designing from scratch. There is a variety of sauna kits on the market - from compact portable units for one person to cabin-style saunas for 4-6 people, and from traditional steam saunas to infrared saunas. You're likely to find a kit that matches your needs (for example, a 1.2 x 1.8 meter indoor electric sauna kit for a small home gym or a rustic barrel-shaped sauna kit for the backyard). When ordering a kit, you often have a few options for customization within such as choosing the type of wood or finish, selecting an upgraded heater or digital control, or adding accessories such as backrests, cup holders or lighting kits that the manufacturer offers. However, you can't change the fundamental design: the size, shape and internal layout are fixed by the design of the kit. If the kit has two benches on one side and none on the other, you can't suddenly move things around. If it's a 5 x 7 foot floor plan, you can't stretch it to 5 x 8 feet. So, the kits are somewhat limited in terms of customization, but they are designed to be largely attractive and functional. They generally have a clean and attractive appearance - albeit more generic - and satisfy most people who don't need something unique. Think of it this way: with a kit, you can choose the model that best suits your taste (perhaps a sleek modern sauna with a glass front or a cozy barrel-shaped one), but it will have to adapt to your design, whereas with a custom kit, it adapts the design to you.

In practice, if you have a very specific idea of how your sauna should look and feel, or if your space has challenging dimensions, a custom build is the best option. If you're flexible and find a kit design you like, the kit will offer a quicker solution with a reasonable variety of styles to choose from (but not an infinite choice). Many buyers start by researching the sauna kits available - if one of them appeals and suits their space, this can settle the decision on the spot. If no off-the-shelf product meets your needs, then customization is clearly the way to go.

Quality, materials and durability

Quality can vary greatly in both customized saunas and kits, but there are some general trends. A custom sauna sauna generally uses top-of-the-range materials and methods, while a prefabricated sauna kit is built to balance quality with cost and convenience.

• Materials and quality of construction (customized): With custom construction, you usually have the opportunity to use top quality materials. For example, you can opt for extra thick walls or better insulation than any prefabricated kit offers. Custom builders often use premium wood (such as high-quality western red cedar, which has fewer knots and greater durability) and can ensure that all components - from seats to backrests - are sturdy and built to last. Because custom saunas are built on site (or at least specifically for you), there is a high level of craftsmanship involved. Joints and seams can be fine-tuned, and the builder can double-check everything as it is assembled. Ventilation and vapour barriers can be optimized for the space, reducing the possibility of damp problems. In terms of durability, a properly built custom sauna can last for decades with routine maintenance. It essentially becomes part of your home, so it can be as durable as any other room. If any parts wear out (for example, a heating element or a section of wood after many years), you can repair or replace them as needed - you're not tied down to unique parts other than the heating unit itself. In addition, custom saunas can be designed to be more energy efficient (for example, by using better insulation or more efficient heaters), since you have control over these details during construction.

• Materials and build quality (prefabricated sauna kit): Sauna kits from reputable manufacturers are designed to meet safety standards and withstand sauna conditions, but are also manufactured in an industrial environment with a focus on cost efficiency. The wood used in the kits is usually cedar, hemlock or spruce - all good sauna woods - but may not be of the highest quality. The panels in a kit can be thinner or hollow-backed to reduce weight and cost, while a customized sauna can use a solid 2x4 or 2x6 structure. That said, many kits are very well made; for example, some brands use thick solid wood sections (such as the 2x6 cedar log construction in certain modular kits) and stainless steel hardware to prevent rust. Quality control in a factory can be fairly consistent - each unit is built according to a set design and tested for fit, so you know the pieces line up correctly. However, mass-produced kits may lack the meticulous detail that a craftsman might put into a custom sauna (for example, you might see more visible fasteners or standardized seat designs). In terms of longevity, a good sauna kit will also last for many years. They are designed to be taken apart and reassembled if necessary, which indicates robust engineering, but frequent changes can loosen the fixings over time. One advantage of buying a kit is that they usually come with a manufacturer's warranty, covering items such as the heater and control system for a certain period and sometimes also the cabin structure. Custom builds can come with a builder's warranty if done by a contractor.

In short, a customized sauna can potentially achieve a higher level of materials and custom build quality - essentially, you get what you pay for. A prefabricated kit is a balance between good quality and convenience; if you buy a cheap unbranded kit, quality can be an issue, but if you invest in a well-regarded brand, you can expect a solid product. Both types require basic care (keeping the wood clean, occasional treatment and ensuring that the heater is repaired when necessary) to keep them in top condition.

Portability and space flexibility

When deciding between building yourself or buying a prefabricated kit, consider how permanent you want your sauna to be and whether you might need to move or reconfigure it in the future.

A clear advantage of a prefabricated sauna kit é portability. Most sauna kits are freestanding modular structures that are not permanently fixed to your home. This means that you can take them apart and move them if necessary. For example, if you move to a new house, you can take your sauna kit with you (which protects your investment). Bear in mind that although the kits are mobile, they're not something you want to dismantle often, like furniture, but the option is there in the long term. Portability also makes kits attractive to renters who can't make permanent changes to a property; a portable sauna allows you to enjoy the benefits now and take it with you when you move.

Space flexibility is another consideration. Kits come in certain sizes and shapes, so you need to have an area that accommodates the area occupied by the kit with a bit of free space. If you have a very specific space (for example, an unused closet that you want to convert), a standard kit may not fill it perfectly - you could end up with some dead space around it. On the other hand, a customized sauna can be built to fill perfectly that closet, taking advantage of every inch and perhaps even using the existing walls as part of the structure. Therefore, customized constructions are more efficient in terms of space for customized spaces, while kits are space-efficient in a general sense (they are usually designed to be compact and make good use of space, but only in the dimensions they come in).

With a customized saunayou are usually creating a permanent installation. An indoor custom sauna usually involves building walls or modifying the room, which, once done, is not easily reversed. An outdoor custom sauna (such as a custom sauna shed or cabin) is essentially a building on your property - moving it would be as difficult as moving a small shed. Custom saunas are great if you want to integrate the sauna seamlessly into the layout of your home. For example, you can design it to look built-in, perhaps matching your bathroom tile or basement finish. This can be aesthetically pleasing and make the sauna look like it really belongs in the house. However, if you sell the house, that sauna stays behind (unless the buyer or you decide to remove it, which would cost money and effort). Unlike a kit, you can't easily take a customized sauna with you.

So ask yourself: do you need the flexibility to change the sauna later or are you planning to stay for a long time? If you anticipate changes or simply like to have the option mobility, a kit is probably the best choice. If you own your home and are creating a dedicated spa space for the long term, a customized installation that maximizes that space may be more satisfactory.

Which one should you choose?

Both customized saunas and prefabricated sauna kits can provide a fantastic spa experience at home - ultimately, it all comes down to your priorities. Here's a brief summary to help you decide between building your own sauna or purchasing a prefabricated kit:

Choose a personalized sauna if...

• You have a specific vision or a unique space. You want a sauna adapted exactly to the dimensions of your room or designed with customized features (layout, materials, integrations) that you can't get in a standard kit.

• Quality and longevity are your top priorities. You are willing to invest in high-quality materials and workmanship for a sauna that is built to last for decades and potentially increase the value of your home as a luxury asset.

• Budget is not the main constraint. You have the financial flexibility to support a larger investment for a personalized wellness addition.

• You're undertaking a larger project. For example, you're building a home gym or spa area and want the sauna to be incorporated seamlessly, or you plan to add features such as a built-in cold pool, shower or a connected deck around an outdoor sauna. Custom construction handles these integrations best.

• You don't mind waiting for the perfect result. You are patient and comfortable with the idea of planning and possibly working with contractors over a period of days or weeks to get your sauna finished exactly as you want it.

Choose a prefabricated sauna kit if...

• You're looking for an affordable option. You want a sauna experience without spending too much - the kits are the most economical option for having a sauna.

• You like the quick and easy setup. The idea of having a sauna ready to use in a day or two sounds great. You might even like the DIY assembly process if you want to put it together yourself.

• You prefer minimal construction and disruption. You don't want to deal with major renovations, permits or hiring several professionals. A kit keeps things simple - it's often no more complex than assembling a large household appliance.

• Flexibility and portability are important. You like to know that the sauna is not permanently fixed. If you move house or want to relocate the sauna, you have that possibility. This is especially important for tenants or those who may sell their home in the near future.

• You're happy with the standard designs. You've found a sauna kit model that you like and that suits your space. You don't need a highly personalized look - you just want a functional and beautiful sauna to enjoy the health benefits.

By weighing up these factors, you can determine which approach best suits your needs. If you want a unique sauna sanctuary and have the resources to make it happen, a custom sauna will provide a personalized and unparalleled haven. On the other hand, if your goal is to start enjoying heat therapy at home faster and for less money, a ready-to-use sauna kit is a fantastic solution that offers convenience and comfort. Either way, you're investing in a healthier, more relaxing lifestyle at home - whether you build it from scratch or assemble it from a kit, the end result is your own private sauna to relax in.

At Saunamo, we offer customized sauna solutions and faster assembly sauna kits. Tell us about your project and we'll provide a free consultation to help you choose the right design, materials and features for your space.