Outdoor sauna
Barrel saunas
The classic round sauna: a curved roof that sheds snow, a compact footprint and the widest choice of lengths.
Barrel saunas
Why choose a barrel sauna
A barrel sauna is a cylinder of wood staves lying on its side, with the door in one round end. Barrels are typically about 7 ft across, so the length you choose sets the seating, from a 4–5 ft two-seater to a 12 ft barrel that often includes a change room.
A good fit if you want a traditional look, a small footprint for the number of seats and a roof that sheds snow. The trade-off: headroom is highest down the centre and lower at the sides.
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Sheds snow
The curved top lets snow slide off, so there’s less roof clearing than on a flat-roofed sauna.
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Less air to heat
A cylinder holds about 21% less air than a box of the same width, height and length, so the heater has less volume to warm.
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Five lengths
From a 4–5 ft barrel for two to a 10 ft barrel for eight or more, plus a 12 ft size that often includes a change room.
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Compact footprint
Barrels are typically about 7 ft wide, so the length is the main thing to plan around in a city yard.
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Electric or wood
Run an electric heater on a dedicated 240 V circuit, or a wood-burning stove with a chimney. Some makers sell chimney kits made for barrels.
What the starting price covers
Every starting price includes the sauna, a heater, sauna stones, and a bucket and ladle. Your written quote lists everything else line by line before you pay.
Included in the starting price
- The barrel sauna in the length you choose
- A sauna heater, electric or wood-burning
- Sauna stones
- A bucket and ladle
Warranty: 2-year limited warranty on the sauna structure. The heater has its manufacturer’s warranty, and we handle any claim for you.
Not in the starting price
- Delivery and assembly (quoted)
- The base
- Electrical work or a chimney
- Permits, if needed
- Taxes
Delivery and assembly are quoted to your address, anywhere in Canada. Your quote shows every cost, including tax, before you pay.
What changes the price
- Length: each size up adds seats and cost
- Heater: electric or wood-burning, and the power your size and glass call for
- Glass: a panoramic glass end or extra windows
- A porch or change room, common on 12 ft barrels
- Wood species and grade: clear, knot-free wood is usually an upgrade
- Roof covering, lighting and interior extras
- Delivery distance, site access and assembly
Images are illustrative and may show optional upgrades. Every starting price includes the heater, sauna stones, and a bucket and ladle; options, delivery and assembly are added in your written quote. See starting prices for every size.
Delivery and site prep
The sauna is the easy part. A level base, a clear route and power or a chimney plan make delivery day go smoothly.
How it arrives
- Lead time: 4–6 weeks from your deposit
- Delivery: quoted to your address, anywhere in Canada
- Assembly: quoted with delivery, for your site
- Barrels usually rest on wooden cradles, so the base needs to be level along the full length. We confirm the base and access your model needs with your quote.
- A 40% deposit starts production, and the balance is due before delivery
Get your site ready
- Space: the barrel’s length by about 7 ft, plus room to walk around it
- A level, well-drained base: compacted gravel with pavers, a concrete pad, or a deck built to carry the sauna’s weight
- A clear delivery route, with no low wires or branches in the way
- Electric heat: a dedicated 240 V circuit, connected by a licensed electrician with any permit your province requires (an ESA notification in Ontario)
- Wood heat: a chimney kit sized to the stove, the clearances in its manual, and a call to your insurer about a WETT inspection
- Permits: every barrel size here has a footprint under 10 m² (about 107 sq ft), Ontario’s building-permit threshold for a structure without plumbing; other provinces set their own rules. Zoning setbacks and height limits still apply, and a wood stove may need its own permit.
Rules differ between municipalities. Our outdoor sauna site prep guide walks through permits, zoning, the base and the delivery route.
Compare with other styles
Every price includes the heater, sauna stones, and a bucket and ladle. Seating is typical for each size.
| Style | Seats | Sizes | Starting at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barrel(this page) | 2–10 | 5 sizes | $6,795.00 CAD |
| Luna | 2–6 | 5 sizes | $6,695.00 CAD |
| Cube | 2–5 | 4 sizes | $9,995.00 CAD |
| Cabin | 3–6 | 4 sizes | $7,395.00 CAD |
| A-frame | 6–8 | 2 sizes | $11,995.00 CAD |
Starting prices in CAD before tax, heater included. Compare all five styles in detail.
Barrel sauna questions
How many people fit in a barrel sauna?
Typically, a 4–5 ft barrel seats about 2, a 6 ft barrel 4, an 8 ft barrel 6, a 10 ft barrel 8 to 10 and a 12 ft barrel 9 to 10. Bench layout changes this, so we confirm the seating for your exact model in the quote.
Do barrel saunas handle snow?
The curved top sheds snow better than a flat roof, so barrels need less roof clearing. After a heavy storm, still brush off what’s left and clear the path and door.
Are barrel saunas insulated?
Most barrels are built from solid wood staves without added insulation: the wood itself is the wall. Ask us about the wall build of the model we quote, especially if you plan to use it all winter.
Should I choose an electric or wood-burning heater for a barrel?
Either works. Electric needs a dedicated 240 V circuit, connected by a licensed electrician with any permit your province requires. A wood stove needs a chimney kit sized to its flue and the clearances in its manual, and many insurers ask for a WETT inspection. Compare them in our wood vs electric guide.
What’s included in the starting price?
The sauna in the length you choose and its heater. Sauna stones and a bucket and ladle are included too. Delivery and assembly are quoted to your address, anywhere in Canada, and the tax for your province is added on your invoice.
Heaters for backyard saunas
Every sauna quote includes a heater. If you have a particular stove in mind, browse these or use the Heater Finder, then name it in your quote request.
Plan your outdoor sauna
- Guide Outdoor sauna prices by style and size Starting prices for every style and size, what’s usually included and what adds cost. Read the guide
- Guide Choosing an outdoor sauna style Barrel, Luna, cube, cabin or A-frame: seating, footprint, glass and snow, side by side. Read the guide
- Guide Outdoor sauna site prep Permits and zoning, a level base, the delivery route and power, step by step. Read the guide
Get a written quote for your barrel sauna
Tell us the style, the size and your postal code. We’ll confirm the details and send a quote that lists the sauna, heater, delivery, assembly and tax line by line. Nothing to pay until you approve it.