Barrel Sauna or Cabin Sauna?

Two shapes

A barrel sauna is a tube of wooden staves lying on its side, closed at both ends. A cabin sauna has straight walls and a roof, like a small building.

Insulation

Most barrel saunas are built from solid wooden staves with no insulation behind them. A cabin sauna can carry insulation in its walls and ceiling. Every Urban Sauna has mineral wool insulation, which holds the heat on a cold night and helps the room heat up faster in winter.

Room inside

A barrel's walls curve in, so the space near the walls is low and the benches run along the length. A cabin's straight walls make room for an upper bench where the heat collects, a picture window, a porch outside the door, and on larger models a changing room.

Price and setup

Barrel saunas usually cost less, and many are sold as kits to put together in the yard. A built cabin sauna costs more and arrives finished. The cost guide lists every Urban Sauna price.

How to choose

• Using it through the winter: insulated walls matter most
• More than two or three people at once, or lying down: a cabin's straight walls give you the room
• Windows, a porch or a changing room: a cabin
• The lowest price, and you're happy to assemble it: a barrel kit

What Urban Sauna builds

Urban Sauna builds insulated cabin saunas in six sizes, from one person to a group. If you have a different shape in mind, send a picture through Bespoke Builds and Tony will tell you what it takes.