In most cases, outdoor saunas installed within a residential garden do not require planning permission and can often be installed under Permitted Development Rights.

However, planning regulations vary depending on several factors, including:

• The size and height of the sauna
• Its proximity to neighbouring boundaries
• Whether the property is located within a Conservation Area
• Whether the sauna is intended for residential or commercial use
• Whether the structure is ancillary to the main dwelling

For residential garden installations, outdoor saunas are typically treated similarly to garden rooms, home offices, and other outbuildings. Provided the structure complies with the relevant planning criteria, a formal planning application is often unnecessary.

Residential Sauna Installations

For homeowners, the most common planning considerations include:

• Height Restrictions: Where a structure is located within 2 metres of a boundary, the maximum permitted height is generally restricted.
• Conservation Areas: Properties located within Conservation Areas may be subject to additional planning controls.
• Ancillary Use: The sauna must remain secondary to the main dwelling and cannot function as a separate residential unit.
• Site Position: Placement within the garden can influence whether planning approval is required.

Because every property is unique, it is important to assess each project individually rather than relying on assumptions.

Commercial Sauna Installations

Commercial projects are assessed differently.

Planning considerations may apply to:

• Wellness centres
• Spa facilities
• Retreat centres
• Glamping sites
• Holiday accommodation
• Fitness facilities
• Hospitality venues

Commercial developments often involve additional considerations such as:

• Change of use
• Increased visitor numbers
• Parking requirements
• Site infrastructure
• Environmental impact
• Local authority policies

While many commercial sauna projects can still proceed smoothly, the planning route must be assessed on a project-by-project basis.

How GlampLaunch Helps

At GlampLaunch, we regularly support clients throughout the early feasibility stages of a project.

Our planning and feasibility services can help you understand:

• Whether planning permission is likely to be required
• Site-specific restrictions
• Conservation Area considerations
• Positioning and design recommendations
• Commercial planning implications

Our goal is simple: to identify potential planning risks before they become expensive problems.

If you're considering an outdoor sauna for your garden, wellness business, retreat centre, or glamping site, our team can help you understand the planning requirements before you commit to the project.

Absolutely.

Many of our sauna installations are supplied for commercial environments where reliability, durability, and user experience are critical.

Common Commercial Applications

Our outdoor saunas are frequently specified for:

• Wellness centres
• Recovery facilities
• Health clubs
• Fitness businesses
• Retreat centres
• Glamping sites
• Luxury holiday accommodation
• Private members clubs
• Corporate wellness spaces

As consumer demand for wellness experiences continues to grow across the UK and Europe, saunas have become one of the most profitable additions many operators can make to their site.

Why Commercial Operators Choose Saunas

Modern consumers are increasingly prioritising:

• Wellness
• Recovery
• Mental wellbeing
• Digital detox experiences
• Outdoor leisure
• Premium accommodation

A well-designed sauna can help businesses:

Increase Revenue

Saunas can be monetised through:

• Private hire sessions
• Premium accommodation packages
• Wellness memberships
• Retreat experiences
• Corporate bookings

Improve Occupancy Rates

For glamping sites and holiday accommodation providers, wellness facilities can create a significant competitive advantage.

Increase Average Spend

Guests often perceive saunas as premium experiences, allowing operators to command higher prices.

Built for Demanding Environments

Commercial use places significantly greater demands on a sauna than occasional residential use.

For this reason, we focus heavily on:

• Structural durability
• High-quality timber construction
• Professional-grade heaters
• Long-term maintenance considerations
• Commercially appropriate specifications

Many of our commercial clients choose Thermowood construction due to its stability and durability under regular use.

Electric vs Wood-Burning for Commercial Use

Electric Saunas

Most commercial operators choose electric heaters because they provide:

• Faster operation
• Simpler user management
• Consistent temperatures
• Lower operational complexity
• Reduced staffing requirements

Wood-Burning Saunas

Wood-burning heaters remain popular for:

• Retreat centres
• Luxury experiences
• Traditional Finnish sauna concepts
• Destination wellness sites

They offer a highly authentic sauna experience that many customers find particularly attractive.

Why We Use Harvia

We almost exclusively specify Harvia heaters across our sauna range.

Harvia is widely regarded as one of the world's leading sauna heater manufacturers and has built a reputation for:

• Reliability
• Performance
• Safety
• Longevity
• Global support

Whether electric or wood-burning, Harvia remains our preferred choice for the vast majority of projects.

More Than Just a Sauna Supplier

GlampLaunch is not simply a sauna retailer.

We help clients navigate:

• Feasibility
• Site suitability
• Planning considerations
• Delivery logistics
• Installation strategy
• Commercial viability

For many businesses, the sauna itself is only one part of a larger wellness or hospitality strategy.

Our role is to help ensure the entire project is positioned for long-term success.

Whether you're launching a wellness retreat, upgrading a glamping site, or creating a premium recovery facility, our team can help you identify the right sauna specification for your commercial objectives.

The timber used to construct your sauna will have a significant impact on its longevity, heat retention, maintenance requirements, and overall user experience.

While there is no single "best" timber for every project, certain materials consistently outperform others depending on how the sauna will be used.

Thermowood: Our Preferred Option

For clients seeking maximum durability and long-term performance, Thermowood is our recommended timber choice.

Thermowood is produced using a specialist heat-treatment process that alters the cellular structure of the timber, creating a material that is significantly more stable than untreated wood.

Benefits include:

• Reduced expansion and contraction
• Improved dimensional stability
• Greater resistance to moisture
• Reduced risk of warping
• Increased resistance to decay
• Lower long-term maintenance requirements
• Improved thermal efficiency

These qualities make Thermowood particularly well suited to outdoor sauna environments where the timber is regularly exposed to extreme temperature fluctuations.

Is Thermowood Worth It?

For many buyers, the answer is yes.

While Thermowood typically carries a higher upfront cost, it often delivers greater value over the lifespan of the sauna by reducing maintenance and improving durability.

It is particularly beneficial for:

• Commercial saunas
• Wellness centres
• Retreat businesses
• Glamping sites
• Frequent residential use
• Harsh weather environments

Spruce Saunas

Spruce remains one of the most popular sauna construction materials worldwide.

It offers:

• Excellent value for money
• Attractive natural appearance
• Good thermal properties
• Traditional sauna aesthetics

For occasional residential use, a well-built spruce sauna can provide many years of enjoyment.

Thickness Matters Too

Timber species is only part of the equation.

The thickness of the timber also plays a major role in:

• Heat retention
• Energy efficiency
• Structural strength
• User comfort

Generally speaking:

38mm Timber: Suitable for many residential applications and lighter commercial usage.

58mm Timber: Offers improved insulation and year-round performance, particularly in colder climates.

Our Recommendation

If your objective is to purchase a sauna that will provide exceptional performance for years to come, we generally recommend:

38mm Thermowood for most commercial projects and premium residential installations.

The combination of structural stability, durability, insulation performance, and reduced maintenance makes it one of the strongest long-term investments available within the outdoor sauna market.

Ultimately, the best timber is the one that matches your intended use, budget, and long-term expectations. Our team can help you select the most appropriate specification based on your project requirements.

The heater is the heart of every sauna.

It directly impacts:

• Heat-up times
• Running costs
• User experience
• Long-term reliability
• Overall performance

At GlampLaunch, we primarily supply Harvia heaters, widely regarded as one of the world's leading sauna heater manufacturers.

Why Harvia?

Harvia has been manufacturing sauna equipment for decades and is trusted throughout:

• Finland
• Scandinavia
• Europe
• Luxury wellness centres
• Commercial spas
• Professional sauna operators

They have built a reputation for:

• Reliability
• Consistent performance
• High-quality components
• Excellent heat distribution
• Long-term durability

Simply put, if you're investing in a premium outdoor sauna, you want a premium heater.

Electric Sauna Heaters

Electric heaters are the most popular option for many buyers.

Benefits include:

• Easy operation
• Fast heat-up times
• Minimal maintenance
• Precise temperature control
• No fuel storage required

Electric heaters are particularly popular for:

• Home gyms
• Residential gardens
• Wellness rooms
• Regular personal use

Wood-Burning Sauna Heaters

For customers seeking a more traditional sauna experience, wood-burning heaters remain extremely popular.

Benefits include:

• Traditional sauna atmosphere
• Natural heat profile
• Authentic wood-fired experience
• No reliance on electrical supply (in some installations)

Wood-burning heaters are often chosen for:

• Off-grid projects
• Rural properties
• Luxury glamping sites
• Wellness retreats seeking a traditional Scandinavian feel

Do You Supply Infrared Saunas?

No.

GlampLaunch focuses on traditional Finnish-style saunas rather than infrared systems.

Traditional saunas deliver:

• Higher operating temperatures
• Authentic sauna bathing experience
• Better commercial suitability
• Greater flexibility across residential and business applications

Which Heater Should I Choose?

As a general guide:

• Residential garden saunas – Typically best suited to a Harvia electric heater due to ease of use, low maintenance, and precise temperature control.
• Home gym saunas – Most customers choose a Harvia electric heater for convenience and frequent use.
• Wellness retreats – Depending on the desired guest experience, either a Harvia electric heater or Harvia wood-burning heater can work exceptionally well.
• Glamping sites – Both electric and wood-burning options are popular. The right choice depends on utilities available on-site and the type of experience being offered to guests.
• Off-grid sauna projects – A Harvia wood-burning heater is usually the preferred option where electrical supply is limited or unavailable.
• High-traffic commercial saunas – We generally recommend a suitably sized commercial-grade Harvia electric heater to ensure reliable performance and efficient operation.

Our Recommendation

For most customers, an appropriately sized Harvia electric heater provides the best balance of:

• Convenience
• Reliability
• Running costs
• Ease of operation
• Consistent heat output
• Long-term durability

However, every sauna we supply is customised, so heater specification should always be selected based on the sauna size, intended use, user frequency, and site conditions.

A correctly specified heater can make the difference between a good sauna experience and an exceptional one.

One of the most common questions we receive is whether an outdoor sauna requires foundations.

The answer is yes — every sauna should be installed on a suitable level base.

However, the exact foundation specification depends on:

• Sauna size
• Ground conditions
• Site access
• Intended use
• Whether the sauna is residential or commercial

Our Recommended Foundation: Concrete Base

In most cases, we recommend a reinforced concrete base because it provides:

• Excellent long-term stability
• Superior load distribution
• Minimal movement over time
• Strong support for larger sauna models
• Reliable performance in all weather conditions

Concrete is particularly beneficial for:

• Commercial saunas
• Wellness retreats
• Glamping sites
• Frequent-use installations
• Larger multi-person sauna models

Alternative Foundation Solutions

Depending on the project, other solutions may be suitable:

• Ground screws
• Engineered foundation systems
• Reinforced slabs
• Existing hardstanding areas

Every site is different, which is why foundation recommendations should always be assessed on a project-by-project basis.

Why Foundations Matter

Proper foundations help:

• Keep the structure level
• Protect doors and windows from distortion
• Reduce structural stress
• Improve long-term durability
• Protect the sauna investment

Poor foundations are one of the most common causes of avoidable structural issues in outdoor buildings.

Commercial Sauna Projects

For commercial installations, foundation design often forms part of a wider site-development process that may include:

• Utility connections
• Drainage considerations
• Access planning
• Landscaping
• Guest circulation routes

These factors should be considered before installation begins.

Can GlampLaunch Help?

Yes.

While foundations are typically arranged locally, we regularly help clients understand:

• Foundation requirements
• Site preparation
• Delivery access
• Crane requirements
• Utility considerations
• Overall project feasibility

This is particularly valuable for first-time buyers who have never installed a sauna or outdoor building before.

A high-quality outdoor sauna should last 20+ years when properly maintained, making it one of the longest-lasting wellness investments available for homes, glamping sites, spas, and wellness retreats.

The lifespan of an outdoor sauna depends on four key factors:

1. The Type of Wood Used

Not all sauna timber performs equally outdoors.

38mm Spruce

• Suitable for most residential installations
• Cost-effective and attractive
• Requires regular maintenance
• Best for occasional to moderate use

58mm Spruce

• Thicker walls provide greater structural strength
• Improved insulation and heat retention
• Better suited to colder climates and frequent use

38mm Thermowood

• Our recommended option for commercial outdoor saunas
• Heat-treated to improve stability and durability
• Highly resistant to moisture, rot, fungi, and decay
• Designed specifically for demanding outdoor environments

For wellness retreats, glamping businesses, and high-traffic commercial settings, Thermowood is generally the best long-term investment.

2. Installation Quality

A sauna should never sit directly on soil, grass, or unstable ground.

Correct foundations help prevent:

• Structural movement
• Uneven settlement
• Water ingress
• Premature timber deterioration

This is why we typically recommend a properly prepared concrete base for most outdoor sauna projects.

3. Environmental Conditions

Outdoor saunas naturally face:

• Rain
• Frost
• UV exposure
• Wind
• Seasonal temperature fluctuations

A sauna installed in a sheltered garden may require less maintenance than one installed on an exposed coastal glamping site.

4. Ongoing Maintenance

Like any timber structure, maintenance is important.

Typical maintenance includes:

• Periodic external timber treatment (where applicable)
• Checking seals and fittings
• Cleaning benches and internal surfaces
• Maintaining the heater according to manufacturer recommendations
• Ensuring adequate ventilation

With routine maintenance, most owners can expect decades of reliable use.

Our View

For residential customers, a sauna is often a once-in-a-generation purchase.

For commercial customers, a well-built sauna can become a long-term revenue-generating asset that enhances guest experience, increases booking value, and creates an additional wellness offering for years to come.