Welcome to Prefab Profiles, an ongoing series of interviews with people transforming how we build houses. From prefab tiny houses and modular cabin kits to entire homes ready to ship, their projects represent some of the best ideas in the industry. Do you know a prefab brand that should be on our radar? Get in touch!
Redwood Outdoors was started in 2019 by Killian Lannen when, after a winter swim in the sea, he took a break in a pay-by-the-minute sauna. Thrilled by the contrast between the steam and frigid water, Killian decided to he wanted to share that experience with others. Four years later, his company now makes both indoor and outdoor saunas that can accommodate up to eight people, as well as a series of cold plunge tubs to complete the set. We asked Killian more about the models that Redwood Outdoors offers and how they’ve been tailored for open landscapes and urban settings alike. Concrete Sandwich Wall
The barrel sauna comes in either cedar or Thermowood (kiln-treated softwood). The latter is not only more affordable, but models with the finish can be ordered "extra-wide" for an extra foot in diameter.
What’s the most exciting project you’ve realized to date?
There have been so many, it’s hard to pick! One of our favorite recent projects was with Brian Jackson. Brian is local to Washington State and purchased one of our Fire & Ice packages, which are a cold plunge plus a sauna. He did an amazing job making the sauna his own by staining the wood and including add-ons inside and out.
The most rewarding part of this project was hearing Brian’s story. The sauna has become part of his weekly routine and has given him a space where he can spend uninterrupted time with his kids. Creating positive experiences like this is what inspires us most and it was so great to hear firsthand from Brian. You can check out his story by watching the video below.
What does your base model cost and what does that pricing include?
Our Mini Cube Sauna starts at $4,999. This is our most compact design. It’s perfect for urban backyards, or couples who are looking for an intimate sauna experience. A wall-mounted heater is included at this price. You can upgrade the heater to a more powerful model, a Wi-Fi model, or to a different design for an additional charge.
Our saunas are designed to be assembled by the customer. They are delivered in a wooden crate that includes all the components of the sauna. We provide really detailed assembly manuals and videos that go alongside those manuals to make assembly a breeze. If any questions come up, we our after-sales team will ensure you get what you need to enjoy your sauna experience.
The barrel sauna can fit between six and eight people. While the company’s boxier models can accommodate just as many, they also come in compact versions meant for two.
The stoves are produced by Harvia, a manufacturer based in Finland. A wall-mounted electric heater, which comes standard, can be upgraded to this larger, free-standing model for $1,000. Wood-burning stoves are also available.
What qualities make your prefabs stand apart from the rest?
Redwood Outdoors is always trying to innovate with our sauna and cold plunge designs. There are a lot of barrel sauna companies out there, so we’ve tried to "think outside the barrel" and come up with unique shapes and sizes that can fit any backyard. We strive for a modern look and have spent a lot of time thinking about how we can make our saunas fit better for our customers.
An example is our two-person mini-cube. We got a lot of feedback from customers who live in urban areas that they simply don’t have space in their backyard for any of our models. We took this feedback and tried to come up with a sauna that has the smallest possible footprint while maintaining the Redwood Outdoors look and feel. The response to this sauna has been amazing as it solves a real problem for our customers.
Available for an extra $200, asphalt shingles are offered to help protect the wood siding from moisture, extending its longevity.
Where do you ship/where is the prefab currently available?
We ship our saunas and cold plunges everywhere in the United States.
Are there plans to expand to different parts of the world?
Not right now! We are solely focused on spreading the word of hot and cold therapy in the U.S. But who knows what the future holds for us.
Redwood Outdoors provides cold plunge tubs in three different models, each with their own add-ons like wooden tops or devices used to monitor and chill the water.
The sauna and cold plunge can be purchased separately, or as a package, which amounts to savings.
How long can a client expect the process to take after they put down a deposit?
Our products are in very high demand so right now there is a delay on certain models. We are transparent with our lead times and the expected wait for each model is shown on our website. Once the unit is shipped out from our Seattle warehouse, it takes one to two weeks to arrive depending on what part of the U.S. we’re shipping to.
Assembly of the sauna body usually takes about one day and is a really fun project. A lot of our customers get back in touch saying that the build was one of their favorite parts. We do a lot of work to make sure our saunas are easy to assemble, so our customers can have a bit of fun while building it.
Once the sauna body is built, you’ll need to have your electrician come out to wire your heater. This shouldn’t take an electrician more than two hours. After that, you’re ready to hit the sauna! All in, you should have your sauna up and running within a month of when it ships.
To flatten out the bottom of the barrel, slatted flooring can be added for $300.
What aspects of an install do you manage?
We provide the whole sauna and heater. All assembly and on-site work (e.g., permitting, site prep, etc.) are handled by the customer.
What aspects of the design can a client customize?
The first big customization is the heater. We offer a range of heaters that offer the customer a different sauna experience. Some of our heaters are better for a dry experience, while some are better for a high humidity environment. We even offer wood-fired heaters for people who want a truly authentic Finnish sauna experience.
We also offer a range of customizations for the sauna itself as well. Customers can choose to add things like wooden front steps, interior flooring, shingles, and different accessories for the interior (buckets, ladles, backrests, etc.)
The customer can also do a lot of customization on their own after they purchase. We’ve seen our saunas painted or stained to match the backyard's color tone. We’ve seen copper roofs added to our saunas. It is so cool when people add their own flair!
In case a cold plunge does not appeal in winter, an add-on lets you heat the water and use the bath as a hot tub.
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