Gardens across the UK are changing. Alongside the usual patios and planting, a new feature is appearing at the bottom of more and more of them: the sauna. What was once the preserve of gyms, spas and Scandinavian holidays has moved into ordinary back gardens, and the choice has broadened too. Today’s buyer can pick between traditional saunas and newer infrared models, and understanding the difference is the key to choosing well.
Why Garden Saunas Took Off
The surge in home saunas reflects a broader change in how people think about wellness. Rather than treating relaxation as something to travel to occasionally, more people are investing in the ability to unwind at home as part of daily life. A garden sauna fits that instinct perfectly. It keeps the unit out of the house, saves indoor space, and turns using it into a small ritual of stepping outside, away from screens and distractions.
There is also the simple pleasure of the experience. The heat soothes tired muscles, provides a quiet space to decompress, and the routine of a regular session becomes a cherished way to switch off. Doing it in the garden, with fresh air to step out into between sessions, adds a restorative quality that a windowless room indoors cannot match. For many households, a sauna has become the centrepiece of a proper garden retreat.
Traditional Outdoor Saunas
The classic choice is a traditional sauna, which heats the air in the cabin to a high temperature, often using a stove, to create the enveloping dry heat the sauna is famous for. These are the saunas most people picture, built from timber and designed to sit outdoors as a handsome feature as well as a functional one. Ranges of outdoor saunas built for the garden come in various shapes, from the popular barrel design to cabin styles, all intended to stand up to the British weather.
The appeal of a traditional sauna is the intensity and authenticity of the heat. For those who love the classic sauna experience, the high temperatures and the ritual of the stove are exactly the point. The natural timber construction also weathers gently and sits well in a garden setting, looking like it belongs among the planting rather than standing out as an appliance.
Infrared Outdoor Saunas
The newer alternative is the infrared sauna, which works quite differently. Instead of heating the air to a high temperature, it uses infrared heat to warm the body directly at a gentler air temperature. Many people find this more comfortable and easier to tolerate for longer, which makes it more accessible for those who find the fierce heat of a traditional sauna overwhelming. An outdoor infrared sauna delivers a warm, enveloping heat without the intensity of a conventional cabin, and it tends to reach a usable temperature quickly.
For buyers who want the wellness benefits of a sauna with a milder, more approachable experience, infrared is often the preferred option. It suits those who want longer, gentler sessions, and the lower operating temperature can make it a practical choice for regular, everyday use. Like traditional models, infrared saunas are built to sit outdoors and become part of a garden wellness space.
Which Is Right for You?
The choice between the two comes down to the experience you want. If you love intense, authentic heat and the ritual of a classic sauna, a traditional model is the natural pick. If you prefer a gentler warmth you can enjoy for longer, or you find high temperatures uncomfortable, an infrared sauna may suit you better. Neither is objectively superior. They simply offer different experiences, and the right one depends on your preference.
Whichever you choose, a few practicalities apply to both. The sauna needs a level, stable base, a sensible spot with easy access from the house, and an appropriate power supply reached by safe wiring. Thinking about privacy, shelter and the setting around it makes the difference between a sauna that gets used year-round and one that is forgotten. Build quality matters too, since a well-made sauna lasts far longer and performs better.
A Lasting Addition
Far from a passing craze, the garden sauna has earned its place because the logic behind it is durable. It extends the usable life of the garden across the seasons, supports a healthier and more relaxed routine, and adds a feature that genuinely changes how a household lives at home. Whether you choose the authentic intensity of a traditional sauna or the gentler warmth of an infrared one, a garden sauna tends to become one of the most-used and most-loved parts of the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a traditional and an infrared sauna?
A traditional sauna heats the air to a high temperature, usually with a stove, for intense dry heat. An infrared sauna uses infrared heat to warm the body directly at a gentler air temperature, which many people find more comfortable for longer sessions.
Why put a sauna outdoors?
An outdoor sauna keeps the unit out of the house, saves indoor space, and makes using it a pleasant ritual. The natural timber of many models also suits a garden, and stepping out into fresh air to cool down is part of the appeal.
Can a garden sauna be used in winter?
Yes, and many owners enjoy it most in the colder months. Stepping from the warmth of the sauna into cool air is part of the experience, and a well-sited, weatherproof unit is built for year-round use.
Which should I choose?
It depends on the experience you want. Choose a traditional sauna for intense, authentic heat and the ritual of the stove, or an infrared sauna for a gentler warmth you can enjoy for longer, especially if high temperatures feel uncomfortable.
What do I need to install one?
A level, stable base, a sensible and accessible spot, and an appropriate electrical supply reached by safe wiring. Considering privacy and shelter, and choosing a well-made unit, helps it get used and last for years.
