Wood Burning Sauna Stoves

To get the most out of your sauna heater, its power must be accurately matched to the internal volume of your sauna. But it’s not just a simple matter of multiplying length, width, and height. Design features and material choices also play a crucial role in heat retention. Elements like glass doors, windows, or uninsulated walls can lead to heat loss, requiring your heater to work harder to maintain temperature.

Start by measuring the internal volume of your sauna in cubic metres (m³). Most wood burning sauna heaters list a recommended room size range, but several other factors can increase heating demand. If your sauna includes heat loss features you'll likely need a more powerful model to compensate for heat loss. Compact small saunas may also require additional heat sheilding and clearance considerarions from the heater and flue combustible materials

In regards to factoring in design elements and materials that affect heat retention, you should add 1.5 cubic metres to your total volume for every square metre of single-glazed glass, and 0.75 cubic metres for every square metre of double-glazed glass. For other uninsulated surfaces, add 1.5 cubic metres per square metre. These adjustments ensure your sauna heater delivers steady, efficient heat for a truly authentic sauna experience"

At Finnmark, we help you assess all of these variables and match them to the right heater. If you’re unsure, we offer free consultations to ensure you get a stove that suits your build, performs efficiently, and delivers the sauna experience you’re after.

A wood stove for sauna heating can be an eco-friendly choice when designed for clean combustion and used correctly. The Finnmark collection includes some of the cleanest-burning wood fired heaters on the market. They’re specifically engineered to maximise heat output while using less wood and producing fewer emissions.

Unlike electric heaters, wood stoves don’t rely on grid electricity and can be fuelled with sustainably sourced firewood, making them ideal for remote or low-impact builds. When paired with proper installation and quality dry wood, they offer a more natural and energy-efficient way to heat your sauna with little environmental impact.

Always consult your local authority about building permissions, especially in designated smoke control zones. This is particularly important in London, where many areas restrict the installation of wood-burning saunas due to air quality regulations.

Wood fired sauna stoves are built for endurance, but like any high-performance system, they need regular care to run safely and efficiently. We recommend three key habits:

Clear the ash regularly to keep airflow steady and the fire burning clean.
Clean the fire chamber to prevent soot buildup and maintain combustion efficiency.
Inspect the chimney for blockages or creosote – especially during periods of frequent use.

Using clean, dry wood also reduces residue and improves performance. With these simple steps, you’ll extend the life of your stove and preserve the quality of your sauna experience.

While it’s possible to install a wood burning sauna stove yourself, professional installation is strongly recommended – especially to meet UK building regulations and ensure safe operation. We reccomend consulting HETAS engineer for a safe installation. These stoves involve open flames, high temperatures, and flue systems, so proper ventilation and chimney set up are critical. A poorly installed stove can compromise both performance and safety.

At Finnmark, we’re happy to advise DIY builders, but we also work closely with trusted installers if you want the peace of mind that comes with a job done properly.