Sauna Talk #025: Steve Friedricks

I want to introduce you to a close friend of mine.

I Got know Steve about 20 years ago. Steve has embraced the authentic sauna experience at my island cabin sauna up north through multiple "boys weekends" at least 20 of them in total. Some of the cabin visits have been in winter but most often in the fall when we close up, and in the spring when we open up. Steve has always been a great help and supporter of that process. Cabin maintenance can be a pain in the neck, but with a guy like Steve it's a it's a lot of fun.

This Sauna Talk episode is significant for me because I want to share with you first hand nuances about building a sauna. I have wanted to document the nuts and bolts of building your own sauna from the casual builder/home owner perspective for some time now. This documentation is independent of and in addition to my e-book Sauna Build, from Start to Finnish.

In this episode of Sauna Talk, you will learn firsthand what it takes for an amateur builder to undertake the construction of their own authentic backyard sauna. You will hear all about the lifestyle change for Steve and his wife, since completing the sauna, on Thanksgiving. That's been about 100 days ago. I did a little math: Steve and his wife Amy (and their kids when they're in town) have enjoyed their backyard sauna 95 out of the last 100 days.

You will learn more about the shed build concept. We have to keep in mind that though it's fairly straightforward to build a sauna from the ground up, building a shed takes extra ladders and tools. We need extra hands and we have got to be up on a roof. The concept of hiring a shed company to shell up a backyard shed is discussed in this episode. This is a great way to jumpstart your sauna to build.

We talk about how much does a sauna cost? Spoiler alert: I'm gonna give you the total right here: $7,400. Including hiring the shed company. It is worth listening through to the individual costs of building your own sauna.

Additionally, you will get some information about Steve's method of Sauna building. Steve's focus was to get the Sauna completed and functioning. His line is that you can always make wider trim. Steve was not so concerned about measurements to the 16th or eighth of an inch and I commend him for that.

You will learn some tips that he and I have collaborated on. Example: cedar fencing is a wonderful, inexpensive way to panel. Though not recommended so much for the hot room but in Steve's changing room, cedar fence paneling looks awesome. I use cedar fence paneling all the time to make my own trim. Steve has taking this to a deeper level. Additionally I am able to capture Steve's wife Amy, as an additional guest to Sauna Talk. Amy did not grow up with Sauna. She has experienced some sauna action at the health club. Their own backyard authentic sauna has been a formative change to Amy's wellness and well-being.

I enjoyed visiting with Steve and Amy and detailing for you how much they have been appreciating the authentic sauna experience.