® 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.
® 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.
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 from your electrical service box, where you live, and cost of materials. We always recommend you get quotes from 2 to 3 different licensed electricians before you begin installation in order to get the best possible service and price. Use copper wire with 90C insulation.
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 inch screws so that 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.
ROOM ASSEMBLY continued 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 (16). Image 16 With the front and end pieces level and placed, begin placing staves up the sides of the sauna. Tap each board with a rubber mallet (17). Hammer a 2” nail through every 2nd or 3rd stave into the front and end panels to keep them from falling out (18).
MOUNTING THE HEATER Note: You may decide to mount your heater to the back panel at this point. However, you may wait to do this until your electrician arrives to connect the heater to the power source. There is a set of 4 lag bolts to mount the heater, 2 long and 2 short. These are found in the heater box with the “caution” signs. Pre-drill two holes on the back panel of your sauna centered between the two benches, so that the base of your heater sits 5 to 7 inches off of the floor of your barrel sauna.
BAND ASSEMBLY Each band assembly includes the following components: • Stainless steel band w/brackets • ½” nuts (2) • 5 1/4” threaded rod • Black vinyl caps Position the bands around your sauna, evenly spaced (40). (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...this is fine.
A wooden bucket and ladle are provided to carry and sprinkle water over the hot sauna stones in the traditional Finnish fashion. Optional accessories for your sauna, including a magazine rack, robe hook, and much more, are available at almostheaven.com/saunaaccessories/ For canopied models only: Fasten the two supports together and align it with the cleat to ensure they are level with each other (47).
