| Sauna and Fitness Center: Completing the Job |
From "Weekend Handyman"
episode WKH-209 |
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Time: 18 hours over two days. Difficulty Rating: This project rates a 3 on the Weekend Handyman scale. Materials: Chalk line
Sliding "T" bevel
Variety of levels
Pressure treated 2x4's
Regular 2x4's
Furring strips
Unfaced insulation
Sauna kit Tools: Pin nailer
Framing nailer
Power miter saw
Cordless screwdriver
Framing and speed squares Day Two Installing the Window and Finishing the Exterior Walls It's easier and faster to place the tongue-and-groove walls on the inside and then cut out the window later. Later is now, so use a reciprocating saw to cut out the window (figure A). To finish the exterior walls, first you'll need to apply fiberglass insulation in-between the wall cavities (figure B). This will help keep the heat "inside" the sauna. Second, install the exterior tongue-and-groove walls just like you did the inside, including installation "over" the window because it'll be easier to just cut out the window than to cut the tongue-and-groove boards to size. Once all the exterior boards are nailed in, install the tongue-and-groove soffit overhead (figure C), along with the fascia board. Be sure to cut in a switch for the sauna lighting. Paint the drywall "before" the new flooring goes in. Installing the Sauna Heater The unique feature of the heater chosen by host Paul Ryan is the deep rock chamber (figure D), which is 18" deep. A lot of sauna heaters will have only a small pan of rocks, and the problem with this is that you only get a quick burst of steam when you add the water. With the deeper chamber you get more consistent and comfortable steam and heat. To support the sauna heater, screw two brackets to the wall. The heater will sit on the brackets and is held in place with screws underneath (figure E). Note: The heater chosen for this sauna requires 220 volts of power. Be sure to have an electrician do the hook-up. Instructions for mounting the heater will be in the box. Follow them closely. Once the heater is mounted, rinse the heater rocks before placing them inside of the sauna heater. Place the smaller rocks around the outside of the rock compartment and the larger rocks in the center. It is okay if they don't all fit. The rocks are vulcanite, dense and from Scandinavia. Note: The water all steams away, so no drain is needed for the sauna heater. Note: It is important to have space between the rocks to give optimum heater performance, faster heat up time, and higher temperatures. You can save the extra rocks for replacements. Attach the two heater-guard pieces, which can be moved out of the way but will prevent unexpected heater burns. Adding the Benches, Trim, Windows and Lighting - Our bench has longer supports to allow them to slide in and out for easy cleaning. Measure from the floor and mark a line on the walls where the top edges of the bench supports (figure F) will be fastened. Each support is long enough to span at least two wall studs.
- Using a minimum of two 3" screws, install the supports to the wall. Check to make sure they are level.
- For the "L" shaped top bench, drill through the frame holes with a 3/8" bit and then bolt the two benches together.
- Every sauna needs fresh air when you're using it, so it's important to install a slide vent (figure G) on the wall.
Rule of Thumb: When you're heating up the sauna, close the slide vent, and when you're in the sauna and need fresh air, open the vent. - Set the lower bench (comes together in the kit) in across the support brackets, and then the upper bench.
- Put in the H-bracket (figure H), which will hold up one end of the side bench. Set the bench down over the end and go underneath to attach the bench section with lag screws.
- It is now time to install the cove and corner moldings. The cove molding provided is a bit longer than needed to allow trimming to get a tight fit.
- The 3/4" x 3/4" corner molding is used to trim the corners of the room where the walls meet. These will cover the face nailing that started and ended each wall.
- The two windows get set into place in the two openings. Shim them into place and make sure the glass aligns with the glass on the door.
- Secure the windows with screws through the jamb (figure I) and into the wall frame.
- For this particular sauna kit, strip lighting was installed along the back wall. Follow the kit instructions.
- The kit also came with a pre-hung, glass door (figure J). Now is the time to install it -- follow kit instructions.
- Over the door halogen lights were installed.
Installing the Flooring - Ryan and company covered the concrete floor with interlocking floor tile made from recycled car and truck tires (figure K). It provides a great slip-resistant surface and has great anti-fatigue and sound absorbing qualities. It can be found at a floor specialty store. You should wait until all the other work is done before installing this flooring.
- The flooring installs just like a puzzle piece due to its interlocking pieces. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. Use a rubber mallet to lock the edges together.
Enjoy your new sauna and fitness room!
RESOURCES :
Custom Cut Sauna (Finnleo Sauna & Steam)
Brand Name: Finnleo
Model Number: 3300
Color: Nordic White Spruce
Finnleo Sauna & Steam
Cokato, MN 55321
Website: www.finnleo.com
Powder Actuated Fastener/Nailer (Hilti)
Brand Name: Hilti
Model Number: DX460
Contact: Joe Annen, Hilti Pro Shop Consultant
Hilti, Inc.
Tulsa, OK 74121
Fax: 800-879-7000
Vinyl Wall Base (Johnsonite)
Brand Name = Johnsonite
Model Number = CB-40
Color: Black
Johnsonite
Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
Fax: 440-708-0069
Power Tape (Johnsonite)
Brand Name = Johnsonite
Model Number = 8 rolls/kit --164 ft/roll
Johnsonite
Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
Fax: 440-708-0069
Transition Trim (Johnsonite)
Brand Name = Johnsonite
Model Number = CTA-40-P
Color = Black
Johnsonite
Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
Fax: 440-708-0069
LifeFitness Cross Trainer (LifeFitness)
Brand Name = LifeFitness
Model Number = X3
Color = Black
Contact: Tracey M. Budz, Public Relations, Life Fitness
Life Fitness
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: 312-258-3904
Fax: 312-258-3990
Interior Walls
ISBN: 0696213516
Author: Stanley Books Editor
Order this title from Amazon.
Meredith Books Corp.
Website: www.meredith.com
Sports Flooring (Johnsonite)
Model: Reaction SATI-506
Color: Black with color chips
Johnsonite
Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
Fax: 440-708-0069
GUESTS :
Mark Raisanen
575 E. Cokato St.
Cokato, MN 55321
Phone: 320-286-3305
National Sales Manager
Finnleo Sauna & Steam
Rick Gale
10830 Russell Ave., S.
Bloomington, MN 55431
Phone: 952-884-0434
Regional Business Manager
Johnsonite
Chris Ball
6819 Wayzata Blvd.
St. Louis Park, MN 55426
Phone: 952-544-2540
Trainer
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