Veeti, do I understand from the vapor barrier section of this video that the primary (and maybe only) function of foil material is as a moisture barrier to protect other structures? Is there not a heat reflective value to using that? I still intend to use it (building two saunas in the next year, one inside and one outside)...but really gain a lot from your videos, and appreciate your expertise.
Yes, a vapor barrier only protects other structures. It does not have any reflective value. A vapor barrier is inside your interior (likely wooden) cladding, which already absorbs and releases heat and humidity into your sauna. Whether there's a vapor barrier behind it or not does not affect heat and löyly quality. p.s. thanks for the positive feedback
If you live in an extremely humid area (like Florida), would you then want to use a vapor barrier to keep the inside of your outdoor sauna from being humid all year round?
I think it can be beneficial, yes, but on the other hand, the sauna won't mind heat & humidity, that's what it's made for. It doesn't hurt, but I think there won't be a massive benefit either. Can't tell since I don't live in Florida. Have visited a few times, though, beautiful place!
To put it short, you can either a) not insulate at all (in which case you will need a massive amount of extra thermal power) or b) build a layer on top of the concrete wall (inside the sauna room), which has insulation materials, vapour barrier, and the internal cladding Option A requires a huge heater and makes for a dysfunctional sauna since the heat comes from one direction only. Option B eats away your sauna space and is difficult to construct. Concrete wall is not the easiest one to use. I'm sure you will figure it out.
PIR foam board with aluminum foil facing is commonly used. Doesn't eat much space and is easy to construct. Here's instruction video from a foam board manufacturer. ruclips.net/video/_tHWitMGgXk/видео.htmlsi=povp6NIgqokQg-gN
Great info. What’s your opinion on closed cell foam as insulating material? I’m building my sauna in the garage of my house that’s currently under construction and walls are going to be sprayed with open cell foam as typical in Texas, however I can just tell the guys to spray closed cell foam where the sauna will be. That’s a vapor barrier in itself but not sure it’s ok for sauna. What do you think?
Hey Andrea! I have not seen closed cell foam to be used as an insulation material in the projects I have been involved with. Based on my understanding, it doesn't withstand the heat very well and can release toxic chemicals to the air when heated (?). I'm not sure since it's not really used in Finnish sauna construction, based on my understanding.
We supply everything sauna to North Americans! If you need any equipment for your sauna project, visit us at thesaunaheater.com
Thanks for this video, Veeti. Just when I started researching sauna construction you start a whole series on it. Can't wait to see what comes next!
I'm glad you like it! There's so much to learn about sauna building. More coming soon.
Thank you, Sauna Klaus.
haha thanks!
Thank you!
I am currently building an outdoor sauna.
Great, I hope our videos help with that.
Can I build a sauna walls from sandwich panels?
Veeti, do I understand from the vapor barrier section of this video that the primary (and maybe only) function of foil material is as a moisture barrier to protect other structures? Is there not a heat reflective value to using that? I still intend to use it (building two saunas in the next year, one inside and one outside)...but really gain a lot from your videos, and appreciate your expertise.
Yes, a vapor barrier only protects other structures. It does not have any reflective value. A vapor barrier is inside your interior (likely wooden) cladding, which already absorbs and releases heat and humidity into your sauna. Whether there's a vapor barrier behind it or not does not affect heat and löyly quality.
p.s. thanks for the positive feedback
@@thesaunaheater Thank you, Veeti, for everything you're doing to make sauna more accessible and enjoyable in the US.
If you live in an extremely humid area (like Florida), would you then want to use a vapor barrier to keep the inside of your outdoor sauna from being humid all year round?
I think it can be beneficial, yes, but on the other hand, the sauna won't mind heat & humidity, that's what it's made for. It doesn't hurt, but I think there won't be a massive benefit either. Can't tell since I don't live in Florida. Have visited a few times, though, beautiful place!
How would the wall insulation be done on a concrete wall?
To put it short, you can either a) not insulate at all (in which case you will need a massive amount of extra thermal power) or b) build a layer on top of the concrete wall (inside the sauna room), which has insulation materials, vapour barrier, and the internal cladding
Option A requires a huge heater and makes for a dysfunctional sauna since the heat comes from one direction only.
Option B eats away your sauna space and is difficult to construct.
Concrete wall is not the easiest one to use. I'm sure you will figure it out.
PIR foam board with aluminum foil facing is commonly used. Doesn't eat much space and is easy to construct.
Here's instruction video from a foam board manufacturer.
ruclips.net/video/_tHWitMGgXk/видео.htmlsi=povp6NIgqokQg-gN
@@virtueofhate1778 Thanks. That's really helpful.
Great info. What’s your opinion on closed cell foam as insulating material?
I’m building my sauna in the garage of my house that’s currently under construction and walls are going to be sprayed with open cell foam as typical in Texas, however I can just tell the guys to spray closed cell foam where the sauna will be. That’s a vapor barrier in itself but not sure it’s ok for sauna.
What do you think?
Hey Andrea! I have not seen closed cell foam to be used as an insulation material in the projects I have been involved with. Based on my understanding, it doesn't withstand the heat very well and can release toxic chemicals to the air when heated (?). I'm not sure since it's not really used in Finnish sauna construction, based on my understanding.
Yes, every poly stuff (ex : polystyrene, …) are toxic when heated as much as a sauna does. They generated toxic particules above 70°C