UNIQUE BACKYARD SAUNAS UNLIKE ANY OTHER

Saunas have been used for thousands of years or for many occasions, from socialization and religious ceremonies to healing illnesses. It has become a popular home addition, especially as a way of relaxing, unwinding, and distressing. Backyard saunas (also known as outdoor saunas) boast many health benefits for people looking to invest in their wellness with enjoyable and authentic experiences.

In this article, we'll dive into more detail on some of the most unique backyard saunas we have available. Let's dive in!

How We Select the Best and Most Unique Backyard Saunas

We've scoured reviews and write-ups to select the best and most unique backyard saunas for our readers. We've included various products to appeal to any user, no matter your home's space. Selecting an outdoor sauna for your home is an investment, so we've included products across several price levels, prioritizing those with features or materials that make them worth the investment. We've also looked at the sustainability of materials, capacity, and complexity of assembly. We've ensured that our selections used non-toxic and high-quality materials such as natural cedar. Finally, we've ensured that each backyard sauna we've selected has a high-quality heating element for the best experience. 

Unique Backyard Saunas Unlike Any Other

Dundalk Panoramic Sauna

The Dundalk panoramic sauna offers a unique outdoor sauna experience and is an investment for generations to enjoy. It is custom-made based on your preferences, with an acrylic dome that opens up for a complete outside view from the sauna. This means you can get one of the best backyard saunas with an array of optional configurations to create the ideal sauna experience. Not only that, this sauna is one of the first backyard saunas to be developed by Dundalk Leisurecraft. It also comes with assembly instructions for easy setup. 

Other unique features include:

• The acrylic bubble back wall allows you to see the beautiful view of your landscape or lake as you enjoy your session

• Western Red Cedar with cedar boards and stainless steel hardware to ensure it lasts for many years

• Marine Grade Aluminum Bands with stainless hardware to tighten

• Half-moon-shaped bench in a dome for unique views

• Built-in floor, premium benches with arch seats, and cedar slats between the bench and the floor

• Choice of Harvia KIP Electric Heater or Harvia M3 Wood Burning stove with Chimney Installation Kit

Almost Heaven Phoenix Barrel Sauna

Regarding luxury, nothing beats the Almost Heaven Phoenix Barrel Sauna. It's a refined barrel that's more spacious and open than most traditional outdoor saunas. It comes with perfectly cut glass windows on the front and options of solid wood, full-glass or double-rounded windows on the back of the barrel. This sauna comes standard with a sleek back-steel Harvia “The Wall'' heater to mount on the back wall. You can also upgrade to other options such as the Virta with WIFI capability, or a Harvia wood-burning heater. 

It's built with solid Hemlock that has been thermally modified, giving it a rich, deep color that elegantly contrasts with the clean hemlock floor and benches. Moreover, hemlock wood is renowned for its resilience and hardiness, perfect for a backyard sauna in all climates. The wood is smooth and clean with few imperfections or knots, offering unique floating benches. 

The benches add to the pure charm and spaciousness you feel when entering this sauna. There are no visible support structures or joints in the window frames and benches, providing a unique and exquisite experience. For the back wall, you can select from solid wood for added privacy or the full-glass or double-rounded windows for extra natural light and views. 

Other features include:

• All glass features are tempered

• Interior LED light

• Stainless steel bands, fasteners, and hinges

• Weather-resistant wooden support feet

• Two opposite-facing benches for reclining or sitting

• Hand-crafted lumber profiles and end sections

• Best-in-class sauna stones and choice of electric heater or wood-burning heater

Almost Heaven Allegheny

The Allegheny backyard sauna is designed with a retreat in mind and for exceptional performance in any climate. It has a peaked roof that can handle significant snow loads, with a charming front porch. This area is a perfect place to cool off between your sauna rounds. The sauna originates from Finland, the origin of the authentic sauna culture that represents a time-honored practice. The Allegheny boasts multi-level seating for up to six users on the inside. Two people can easily assemble the sauna over a weekend, positioning it on any firm, flat surface. The sauna is easy to maintain as you sweep out the interior, occasionally check the stones for cracking, and wipe down the benches. 

Other features include:

• The interior provides ample space without compromising comfort

• Tempered glass provides an attractive entrance with lots of natural light

• Full-length upper bench back supports

• Two benches for multi-level seating 

• Thick pre-cut and notched timber sections provide a lifetime warranty

• Stainless steel hinges, fasteners, and heater for high integrity and durability

• Choice of electric or wood-burning heater

• Electric: Harvia Virta Heater, which is stylish, powerful, and easy-to-use - able to heat the room to about 190-195F in under one hour, and comes with a digital controller mounted outside of the sauna that can be preset up to twelve hours in advance

• Wood-burning: Harvia PRO 20 or the Harvia 20 ES Stove (comes with a water heater tank on the front of it)

• Interior LED light

• Hand-crafted construction

Haljas Glass Saunas

The Haljas glass single is an octagon-shaped panoramic sauna that previously won the Red Dot Award. The Hele Glass can fit up to seven individuals, and it's designed to amplify and enrich your sauna experience. Besides, its appealing glass walls are an aesthetic feature allowing the cube to blend into nature. It comprises CLT panels, double-glazed mirror glass, and glulam posts.

It uses the Led IP-65 strips for lighting both inside and outside. You can select from three interior options; standard, premium, and luxury, all available in light aspen or dark thermo alder color. Your heater selection will depend on the type of interior, while the ventilation will depend on the type of heater. You can operate the ideal ventilation controls and the LED lighting remotely using a mobile phone. 

Other features include:

• Indoor and outdoor LED lighting

• Choose from HUUM Hive Models or Harvia Cilindro – can also include UKU Wifi controls 

• Mechanical ventilation for electric heaters and natural for wooden heaters

• Four adjustable legs

• EPDM roof

• Thermally modified pine or alder posts

• Tempered double-glazed mirror-effect glass

• Standard, premium, and luxury bench options in the interior

• Installation instructions

Tips Keep in Mind When Selecting a Unique Backyard Sauna

If you want to add a unique outdoor sauna to your home, there are some essential features and terms to understand before purchasing one. 

Size

The first thing when choosing a backyard sauna is knowing the size. Do you want your entire family to use and enjoy the sauna? You'll opt for a larger size. You may need to select a smaller backyard sauna to accommodate the space if you have a limited backyard. 

Shape

The next step is understanding the shape of your backyard sauna. For instance, rectangular outdoor saunas are the most spacious, but barrel saunas heat up faster due to their shape. So, if you reside in a snowy area, you may want to go for an igloo-style sauna with a roof that allows the snow to slide off easily, such as the Dundalk POD sauna (pictured below) or any barrel sauna. Understanding your personal needs and what matters most to you will help to narrow your options.

Location

Your location matters if you live in cold regions; you'll want to opt for a traditional sauna, rather than an infrared one. This is because infrared saunas work at lower temperatures and may be less enjoyable if the outdoor temperatures are too low. Alternatively, if you live in hot areas, an infrared sauna may be the best during the summer as you won't have to bear the high temperatures.

The sauna location also matters, as the closer it is to the house, the easier it is to access and the cheaper it is to run power to the heater. When deciding on the location, put your backyard sauna somewhere with good drainage to ensure the water can't pool around the structure's base and cause damage.

You may also want to put your unique backyard sauna near other outdoor features, such as a shower or hot tub, a pool, or even a barbecue area. 

Material Used

Always look for backyard saunas with top-quality materials to maximize your hard-earned investment. When it comes to sauna wood types for the exterior, opt for cedar, white fir or thermally modified wood, which will help to retain heat and ensure your sauna lasts a lifetime.  

Want to Learn More About Unique Backyard Saunas?

 When looking for the best outdoor sauna experience, consider a unique backyard sauna for visual appeal. The saunas described in this article come with advanced features for maximum relaxation and enjoyment. For more information about our unique backyard saunas, browse our outdoor sauna collection, read this comprehensive guide to traditional saunas, or reach out to our team with any questions you may have.