A homeowner in Monticello came to us wanting more than a hot room. They wanted a place a few steps from the back door to unwind, spend time with people and look after themselves. We built an 8x16 wood-fired sauna as the center of that backyard setup.
The extra square footage goes to a dedicated dressing room. You are not changing clothes or cooling down in the steam room. There is a spot to hang your gear, grab some water and ease in before you open the sauna door.
The steam room is heated by an IKI Original wood-fired heater. Wood heat builds differently than electric, and the steam lands differently too. Tending a fire also slows you down in a way a dial on the wall does not. IKI stoves are among the best at this, and it was the right choice here.
The homeowner extended the deck off the front of the sauna to make room for a cold plunge and an outdoor shower. Going from hot to cold and back is the center of the Nordic sauna tradition. With everything on one deck, there is no running inside between rounds.
Set up this way, a sauna becomes one of the most used spots on a property. It works for a solo session after a long day and for friends on a weekend.
What stands out
- Dedicated dressing room ahead of the steam room
- IKI Original wood-fired heater
- Deck extended for a cold plunge and outdoor shower
Thinking about one like it
This was a one-off design. See how custom builds work, or start from one of our three models. For what it takes to get one to your property, read about delivery and installation.
