ALMOST HEAVEN Grandview 4-6 Person Canopy Barrel Sauna Owner’s Manual
- June 17, 2024
- ALMOST HEAVEN
Table of Contents
Barrel Sauna
Installation & Owner’s Manual
In addition to reading this manual through to the end before proceeding with
assembly you may find our instruction video helpful.
You can find it at:
youtube.com/user/almostheavensauna
Read this entire manual through to the end before proceeding with the assembly.
Congratulations on your purchase of an Almost Heaven barrel sauna!
The barrel sauna is unique to Almost Heaven, and has been our most popular
product for over 40 years. We are delighted you have decided to partake in the
sauna tradition!
A WORD ABOUT BARREL SAUNAS
While there are various barrel sauna models with different features, this
manual is designed for all Almost Heaven barrel saunas. The overall
installation instructions are the same for all classic and canopy barrel
saunas, and even though specific details may vary, we note where these details
differ. Our sauna kits are designed for ease of assembly by the customer, and
every attempt has been made to make assembly information as clear as possible.
For further guidance on assembly, please visit our YouTube channel at
youtube.com/user/almostheavensauna.
If you have any questions about assembly, please do not hesitate to call us at
888-355-3050, or send us an email at
sales@almostheaven.com.
Thank you again for choosing Almost Heaven. We are grateful for your business
and know you will have many years of enjoyment in your barrel sauna!
Your Almost Heaven barrel is designed for outdoor use although it is perfectly
fine to use it indoors. The lumber is naturally resistant to the elements.
Rain and sun will not damage the wood, although natural weathering and
coloring of the wood will occur over time. To preserve the initial look of the
sauna, you may choose to stain the exterior with a UV inhibiting stain.
Consult your local paint store for their recommendations on a particular stain
for your sauna. We do not recommend that you paint or varnish your sauna.
Properly assembled, you should not experience water dripping in the sauna.
You may experience water seepage, particularly on the top and sides of the
sauna. This is due to the porous nature of softwoods as well as the tongue and
groove design of the staves.
Water seepage or leakage will NOT harm the sauna and in most cases will
evaporate quickly in the hot, dry interior. If you wish to completely
waterproof your sauna, we suggest covering it with a shelter or structure with
a roof.
Alternately, you may purchase an Almost Heaven rain jacket, which covers the
top of your barrel sauna.
Your barrel sauna will include the following:
- One full box of staves
- Drain stave
- Filler stave
- Six barrel end sections (three per barrel end panel)
- Heater and mounting hardware, which are found in the heater box enclosed in the bag containing plaques
- Stones
- Hardware bag
- Doorknob assembly
- Two benches
- Two backrests
- Banding assembly*
- Cradles*
- Exterior bench assembly**
*Quantity varies by model
**Canopied barrel saunas only
ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS
All electrical wiring must be performed by A QUALIFIED LICENSED ELECTRICIAN.
Costs of an electrician can vary greatly depending on several factors,
including your sauna’s distance fromyour electrical service box, where you
live and cost of materials.
We always recommend you get quotes from two to three different licensed
electricians before you begin installation in order to get the best possible
service and price.
Use copper wire with 90C insulation. Do not use aluminum wire to make the
connection. Consult with an electrician so you can determine the requirements
for your particular situation. All wiring must conform to all national, state
and local codes and regulations.
For further information and instruction on your heater installation and
operation, please consult the provided heater manual.
LOCATING THE SAUNA
Because the traditional sauna experience involves a heating-cooling-resting
regimen, it is important to plan ahead before installing your sauna. Our
method of construction allows you to place your barrel sauna in a wide variety
of settings.
Be sure the surface is firm and level, and can support the weight of the sauna
and its users (1,000+ lbs). A deck or concrete slab is certainly an option,
but if your sauna sits directly on the ground, be sure the cradle supports
rest on paver stones or something similar to prevent the cradles from settling
into the ground.
BASIC TOOLS
These tools are helpful in the assembly of your barrel sauna:
- Cordless drill
- Rubber mallet
- Hammer
- Framing square
- Screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead)
- Utility knife
- Level
- Wrench
FIRST CONSIDERATIONS
Before beginning assembly, ensure that the installation surface is level. Many
garage, basement or deck floors are sloped for drainage. A slight slope will
not be an issue, but a more pronounced slope will require shimming to make the
sauna level. An uneven installation surface can result in poor-fitting staves
leading to poor sauna function. Also, if the site might receive heavy winds,
it is recommended extra precautions are taken to ensure the door does not blow
open. In most situations, this factor will not be a concern.
Unpack all staves. Identify the drain stave (it will have one or more drainage
holes bored into it). This will be the bottommost and first stave used.
FLOOR ASSEMBLY
Begin assembly by placing the cradles on the ground (1). For optimal assembly,
it is important that the cradles are parallel to each other. Fasten the drain
stave directly in the center of the cradles using 2” screws so the stave
extends over the end cradles by approximately 4” (2-4). (For barrel saunas
with more than two cradles, space the remaining cradle(s) evenly between the
two end cradles. Secure the staves into these cradles as well.) Make sure the
stave sits perpendicular to the cradles before continuing (5). Continue adding
staves to each side of the center stave, tapping each into place with a rubber
mallet (6–7). As you are adding staves, fasten every other stave to each
cradle making sure each notch lines up with the others and that each stave is
perpendicular to the cradles (8–10).
Note: While cradle placement is the same for both canopy and classic
barrel saunas, you may move the front cradle back slightly for canopy barrel
saunas. While unnecessary, it will provide extra support for the door panel.
ROOM ASSEMBLY
It is now time to assemble the barrel ends. Take the three front end pieces,
including the door and two side pieces, and line them up so so that the A
stickers align with each other, and the B stickers align with each other
(11-13). Gently position the two wing sections into place on either side of
the door panel – you may use a rubber mallet to achieve a snug fit. Secure the
wings to the door section with 2” screws through the predrilled holes on the
horizontal support beam (image 14).
Note: the images below show the barrel end being assembled on the ground, but
you may choose to assemble it once the door is positioned into the croze of
the floor.
Next, take the three back end pieces and line them up so the C stickers align
with each other, and the D stickers align with each other. Gently tap the two
side pieces into the center piece, securing them together using the predrilled
holes in the horizontal support beams. (Images 15-16) Position the front and
back ends in the notches, with the horizontal support boards facing the inside
of the sauna. Note: the metal vents are to be on the bottom on the back end,
and the vent holes are to be on the top on the door end (17).
Place a level on the uppermost horizontal support boards on the front and back
ends to ensure each end is level (18). Adjust as necessary. Image (19) shows
what your assembly should look like at this point of the installation process.
You will find it helpful to place a temporary stave at the top, connecting the
two ends. This will align and stabilize the two ends while you continue adding
staves to your sauna (20).
With the front and back pieces level and placed, begin placing staves up the
sides of the sauna. Tap each board with a rubber mallet (21).
Hammer a 2” nail through every second or third stave into the front and back
end panels to keep them from falling out (22). The fewer nails you use, the
easier disassembly will be should you ever need to take down the sauna. Stop
using nails about halfway up the sides (23-24).
Note: If you have access to a pneumatic nailer this process will go
faster.
BENCHES AND SUPPORTS
Note: You may choose to install benches and supports after the entire room has
been assembled, but you may find installation easier with the space and light
afforded at this point.
Each barrel sauna includes two pre-assembled benches that are side specific.
Be sure the shorter bench slat is in front and against the doorframe (25). Lay
the benches on the lower cleats, which are mounted on each end panel (26).
Fasten the benches into the cleats using the predrilled holes (27). Be sure to
countersink the fasteners slightly below the surface of the wood. For 6’ and
larger barrel saunas, position the provided center support so that it connects
the bench to the floor of the barrel. Secure using 2” screws through the pre-
drilled holes. (28-29)
Mount the backrests at the level most comfortable to you, typically 8-12”
above the bench. Use a level while fastening to ensure an even installation
(30-31).
Note: at this point in the installation, you may find it helpful to tie a loose rope or strap around your sauna. (32)
Continue placing staves, tapping them in place with a rubber mallet (33-34). Do not nail the remaining staves in place.
When you arrive to the point of closing the room, you may find that the remaining space will not accommodate a full-size stave (35). We have provided a set of filler staves cut into various widths (36). Choose the necessary combination of filler staves to provide the tightest fit. Install the filler staves by tilting the adjacent staves up, insert and mallet in the filler staves, and push them all back into place (37). It is important that you use as many staves and fillers as you can prior to tightening the stainless-steel bands in order to ensure the tightest seal possible. It is recommended that you insert enough filler staves so that some of the staves between the 10 – 2 position actually “lift off” the front and rear end panels. In other words, the radius of that the staves create will actually be slightly larger than the radius of the barrel end panels (38). This will ensure the tightest seal possible when the bands are tightened.
BAND ASSEMBLY
Each band assembly includes the following components:
- Stainless steel band w/brackets
- ½” nuts (2)
- Threaded rod
- Black vinyl caps
Position the bands around your sauna, evenly spaced (39). (On non-canopied barrel saunas the two end bands should cover the nails used to hold the lower staves in place. On canopy models, evenly spaced bands won’t cover the front nails.) Insert the threaded rod through the bracket and tighten the nuts by hand evenly until no longer able (40). Before continuing to tighten, verify the bands are evenly spaced and align or stagger the bracket placement along the side of the sauna according to personal preference. Tighten nuts evenly and place vinyl caps over the threaded rod (41-42).
Band requirements:
- 4’ and 5’ barrel saunas require two bands
- 6’ barrel saunas require three bands
- 8’ saunas require four bands
- Grandview and Lewisburg saunas require five bands
LED LIGHT
Locate the LED mounting brackets and mount them on the lower horizontal 2×4
brace on the back wall using the provided 2” screws. (43) Space them
approximately 20” apart (44) and clip the LED light into place so that it sits
snug and centered on the lower brace.
Using the provided screws, mount your waterproof power supply where it is most
convenient on the exterior of the back sauna panel (45). Run the female end of
the power connection through the panel and connect the two (46). Plug the
power source into a standard 110V outlet either directly or with an extension
cord. You may also wish to have your electrician hardwire the light to a 110V
circuit.
Install door handle (47-48) Note: Door handles may vary.
Optional accessories for your sauna, including a back rest, robe hook and much more are available at almostheaven.com/sauna- accessories/.
BENCH ASSEMBLY
For canopied models only: Locate the exterior bench cleat with pre-drilled
holes. Measure vertically 17.5” from the bottom of the door frame and make a
pencil mark (49). At this mark, measure horizontally approximately 3.75” and
make a mark (50). This will be the upper and interior corner of the exterior
bench cleat. Position the described corner at this mark. Using a level to make
sure the cleat is sitting horizontal, secure the cleat to the front wall of
the barrel using 2” screws through the pre-drilled holes. There should be
approximately a 1/4” gap between the angled cut of the cleat and the curved
wall of the barrel.
Next, find the support with one predrilled hole and place the edge 2-2.25”
from the stave end. Using a level, make sure this support is level with the
cleat attached in the previous step and secure using a 2” screw through
predrilled hole (51-52). Find the support with two predrilled holes and place
it upright under the support. With the level on both upper supports, position
the upright support so they are level. Attach the upright support to the
barrel staves using 2” screws through two predrilled holes at its base (53).
Using 2” screw, flat and upright supports together (54). Rest the bench on top
of the cleat and the support assembly and secure each using 2” screws through
the predrilled holes (55). Repeat for the opposite side.
FINAL THINGS
Once assembly is complete, sweep and vacuum the inside of the sauna. Wipe down
the entire interior with a damp cloth to remove any remaining dirt, dust and
debris.
Note: If the sauna has absorbed moisture in storage, the staves may
shrink as the high heat evaporates that moisture. This may require you to
tighten the bands even further. If your sauna is left in the open rain, this
wall cause the staves to expand again resulting in an even tighter seal.
HEATER – Please see heater manual.
TRADITIONAL SAUNA USE
Congratulations! You are ready to enjoy your barrel sauna! You may use your
sauna in a wet or dry fashion. Dry, meaning you do not sprinkle any water onto
the stones; wet, meaning you increase the humidity of the room by sprinkling
water on the stones. Please note, not much water is needed to achieve a wet
sauna experience.
The sauna as we know it originates in Finland. The typical sauna experience
follows the steps below, but you may enjoy your sauna in any way you like!
- Set your heater so your sauna achieves the desired temperature. This is typically 160 -185+ degrees F. Novice sauna users should begin at the lower end of that range and increase their high temperature over time.
- Take a quick shower or a quick dip in a hot tub or pool.
- Step into the sauna and enjoy for 5-15 minutes, bringing a towel to sit or lay on. Leave the sauna once you are perspiring freely.
- Take a plunge in a pool, shower, snowbank, lake – anything that will cool you down! After that, relax and cool down for 10-20 minutes.
- Step into the sauna again. During this visit, you may wish to sprinkle small amounts of water onto the stones to create bursts of steam. If water spills through the heater to the floor, you are using too much water, though this will not hurt the heater or the sauna.
- Continue repeating this process. After your final visit to your sauna, relax for at least 20 minutes. Shower with warm water initially, finishing with cool water to close your skin pores.
- Prepare to feel refreshed for the day or to have an amazing night’s sleep!
Whatever your sauna routine, it is imperative that you STAY HYDRATED!
Revised 4-2023
BARREL SAUNA INSTALLATION MANUAL