Building a Sauna:: Step 8: Installing Insulation & Foil Vapor Barrier

There are a few layers that make up a functional sauna wall. Once the framing and electrical rough-in were done, we could start on the first two layers: insulation and a foil vapor barrier.

First off, when we removed the drywall on the right-hand-side wall, we saw that there was already 6" deep insulation and a plastic vapor barrier (with a concrete basement foundation behind all that). We had a few questions about it: is this suitable for the sauna? If not, should we remove the plastic barrier or just place the foil barrier on top? Is the insulation good enough or should we replace it with better (higher R-value) insulation?

Research told me plastic was no good for a sauna vapor barrier, but it was hard to find an answer to the second question. Steve posted the question on Reddit, where everyone said to remove the plastic but also felt the need to tell us it was catastrophically impractical and a waste of time, money, and effort to build a sauna in this small space. Ouch! Those comments hurt, but we continued on, knowing the space was right for us.

I went ahead and bought better insulation for the 6"-deep wall, so we removed the pink stuff before getting started.

Grand-Papa always likes to make us laugh ♥

I bought Rockwool insulation with the highest R-value available, so R14 for the 2x4 walls and R24 for the 2x6 wall and ceiling. My parents and I watched this very useful video on YouTube for how to handle and install Rockwool. It turned out to be an easy product to work with.

It took us just one day to install the insulation. Then three days later, my parents came back to put up the foil vapor barrier. We used stainless steel staples and high-temperature foil tape to fasten the barrier to the walls. We were a bit disappointed with the flimsiness of the material; it tore quite easily whenever we bumped it. I took great care in taping up each hole.

The tricky ceiling installation

Tape, tape, tape!

I have to admit that at this point I was feeling pretty stressed for each step. I was losing sleep, worrying about whether we were doing things right and whether it would all work out. But there was no turning back now!

Step 1: Planning & Pricing

Step 2: Designing a Floor Plan

Step 3: Replacing the Ductwork

Step 4: Purchasing a Heater

Step 5: Purchasing a Door, Light Fixture & Vents

Step 6: Framing

Step 7: Wiring by an Electrician

Step 8: Installing Insulation & Foil Vapor Barrier

Step 9: Wood Strapping, Paneling & Door

Step 10: Final Connections by an Electrician

Step 11: Building Benches

Step 12: Finishing Touches

Recap & Thoughts

Building a Sauna:: Step 7: Wiring by an Electrician

The next step was having the wiring installed for our sauna. We hired The Electrical Doctor to come do the work; thankfully he was available just a few days after we completed the framing.

The electrician's to-do list was pretty big, given all the components of our heater:

1) Connect a power line from the electrical box (in the garage) to the basement sauna room

2) Move the light switch from inside the room to the outside, and convert it to a dimmer switch

3) Lower the wiring for the ceiling fixture and connect the light box

4) Install the wiring for the temperature sensor

5) Install the wiring for the door sensor

6) Install the wiring for the controller

7) Connect everything to the main module in an easy-to-access place (but not inside the sauna)

Direct access here from the garage to the sauna room

Dimmer switch — check!

From the HUUM UKU Local manual

Main module in the crawlspace
Accessible through a vent in the guest room hallway

The electrician was very professional and did a great job. By looking at our floor plans, he was even able to drill a hole diagonally from the garage into the unfinished sauna room, meaning there are no visible wires anywhere else in the house. I was impressed! Now my parents and I could get back to work on the construction.

Step 1: Planning & Pricing

Step 2: Designing a Floor Plan

Step 3: Replacing the Ductwork

Step 4: Purchasing a Heater

Step 5: Purchasing a Door, Light Fixture & Vents

Step 6: Framing

Step 7: Wiring by an Electrician

Step 8: Installing Insulation & Foil Vapor Barrier

Step 9: Wood Strapping, Paneling & Door

Step 10: Final Connections by an Electrician

Step 11: Building Benches

Step 12: Finishing Touches

Recap & Thoughts

Prison Tour Round 2

Back in 2017 I went on a tour of Kingston Penitentiary with some friends and it was pretty neat. Now that Emily and Jessi are older I thought that they and Steve might enjoy seeing the inside of a prison too. It was a perfect activity to do on a random summer afternoon.

Damage from the riot in 1971

Our tour guide had lots of interesting stories to tell, including what prison life was like many years ago and how things have changed. At a few different stations there were also retired correctional officers that shared their stories and experiences.

Prison yard where prisoner Ty Conn escaped in 1999

Now let's hope that that's the extent of our family's interactions with a prison. Ha!