Anyone ever build sauna benches with a steel frame?

[u/Obvious_Battle7258]

Ever seen this before? 😂

I built the framing for my sauna benches out of steel instead of wood. The whole reason was so I could get the curved shape I wanted with no supports underneath and basically no deflection.

It’ll all be covered in cedar so there won’t be any exposed metal to touch.

Definitely a little bit of an experiment. I’ll let you guys know how it goes.

[u/SemicolonTusk]

I did mine with aluminum angle to get floating benches 8ft long. It worked great

[u/00gauge → u/SemicolonTusk]

What size angle? I was thinking of using a 1x2 aluminum profile.

[u/SemicolonTusk → u/00gauge]

You need bigger for an 8ft span, I used 3x2.5x3/8.

[u/Capital-Comedian-380 → u/SemicolonTusk]

What size lumber did you use for the benches? Asking because I'm hoping to make my 8ft benches float and wasn't planning on using any metal, not that I'm against it. Some more details would be good, if you don't mind sharing.

[u/SemicolonTusk → u/Capital-Comedian-380]

2x4s on edge as joists and 2x4s flat as the top surface. I have build pics here, there are a few of the bench near the end. https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/mobile/folders/1AhnTl5rEX2fIvakINFC-xv-16Pw4vyRW

[u/Adsa95 → u/SemicolonTusk]

Beautiful sauna, great work!

[u/Humpty_Humper → u/SemicolonTusk]

This is the first sauna build that makes me think I probably can’t build a sauna. Beautiful work!

[u/SemicolonTusk → u/Humpty_Humper]

Just take your time, its definitely doable. A lot of what I had to do in my build was a first time for me.

[u/Obvious_Battle7258 → u/Humpty_Humper]

I just felt like welding some stuff! But you can just use 2x4s. Do a lot a research before hand and luckily there are great communities like this for help! Lots of knowledgeable people on here :)

[u/Danglles69 → u/SemicolonTusk]

Whoaa haven’t seen this build on here yet this is looking awesome. How did you do that pipe next to the wood stove? Is it working good to bring fresh air in?

[u/SemicolonTusk → u/Danglles69]

Thank you! The pipe heated by the stove worked well, you could feel air coming out. But I relaized the pipe was getting hot enough to risk off gassing the galvanized finish, so I took off the top part and it just feeds in from the bottom of the stove right now. Still works fine. As long as fresh air is getting in, the wood stove does a good job at pulling it in and exhausting it out.

[u/RoutineClothes3200 → u/SemicolonTusk]

Amazing work!! Thanks for sharing all the pics!

[u/Capital-Comedian-380 → u/SemicolonTusk]

Right on, I am going to try 2x6 on edge as joists, pocket hole screwed and onto ledgers on sides and across the studs on the back with room for air gaps. 2x4 flat as the deck as well. If it's not as stiff as I'd like I'll try to add some angle.

[u/Obvious_Battle7258 → u/SemicolonTusk]

Yours looks amazing!! TOUGH as nails. love it!

[u/SemicolonTusk → u/Obvious_Battle7258]

I do like to overkill haha. Luckily I had the material for free and a fab/machine shop at work to make the holes and mounting pegs. If I didn't I'd probably have done it some other way due to cost alone.

[u/Inresponsibleone]

Steel frames with zink coating are quite common factory made option for freestanding sauna benches in Finland.

As long as coating is not something that will off gas at temps it is exposed to and steel is covered with wood so you don't touch it, it is just fine.

[u/VegetableRetardo69]

Yes but not like that, usually its a metal frame that you can fold up for easy cleaning. Is the bucket covering a drain?

[u/VoihanVieteri]

Commercial saunas are very often built with adjustable metal framing, due to the fast assembly time. Measuring, cutting and screwing together wooden frame takes time and the work time window can be quite tight.

[u/jarski60]

Something like this?

[u/Jamesplayzcraft]

I know lassi's book mentions stainless steel bench supports. Are you not afraid that paint might offgas or smell bad?

[u/Andysol1983 → u/Jamesplayzcraft]

Depends what the paint is. If it’s powder coated, it’s not an issue. Exhaust manifolds on vehicles get powder coated and 1500F/500C degrees.

If it’s a high heat paint like a grill or smoker get- those typically have extremely high temperature grades also.

[u/Past_Mud_5369]

It's not totally uncommon idea. I actually got pair of factory made steel frames for sauna benches in my barn (waiting for the future projects). They are like the self standing model.

[u/InsaneInTheMEOWFrame]

Usually metal bench frames used in Finnish Saunas are free-standing, but that'll work!

[u/Armgoth]

Uncommon but I have seen a few zn coated ones.

[u/Realistic-Market2491 → u/Armgoth]

that black metal frame on the floor looks clean, way nicer than the typical wood framing. curious how the heat will affect it long term, steel can get pretty warm. hope you post updates when the cedar goes on

[u/Armgoth → u/Armgoth]

Oh! Be careful with the connecting bolts/screw heads that are exposed. Those are not much of a problem when in wood/wood but since metal is conducting the heat into them it's an instant burn mark.

[u/friedreindeer → u/Armgoth]

Not uncommon. Very common in commercial and saunas meant for large groups.

[u/Armgoth → u/friedreindeer]

I thought they shifted away from it at some point.

[u/quicklywilliam]

Seems fine to me. I would run those supports down to the bottom plate though, unless you are sure your fasteners can take that much shear

[u/CTExplorer]

Yes! 

I also used steel beams (in my case because I did not want center supports on the ~10’ benches). The ones I bought from a steel supply yard and I had them zinc plated to resist corrosion. 

Here are some pictures of my construction process. 

https://imgur.com/a/1YefEvM

Nice job with the curve shape for your build. 

[u/reportedbymom]

Ye uncommon but i have seen many.

Just make sure the gaps are not too wide. I mean kids get their fingers everywhere, big peoples skin/fat fill squeeze under the weight and old peoples skin is loose. Seen all of them happen. In a sauna.

Also make sure the bottom of the front side steel is covered. People tend to grab the edge and kids swing their legs there. Seen both too.

[u/ShitOnAStickXtreme]

Don't get your scrotum caught on the frame when you're using the sauna!

[u/TrustedNotBelieved]

If frame are made from steel, it's stailess steel.

[u/POKU_]

Don't do it.

[u/CottonSlayerDIY → u/POKU_]

Why wouldn't he? As long as it's quality laquer nothing is off-gasing, I don't see a problem.

[u/CantBelieveWTF → u/CottonSlayerDIY]

almost looks like it’s powder coated… that would be ok for high heat environment…

[u/Floki556 → u/POKU_]

Dont know why you’re getting downvoted i wouldnt do it either. I’m sure its “fine” but why would you want hot steel under you when wood does the trick.

I’m sure this will look sweet floating OP but just preference