Thermowood Barrel Sauna

HC150 barrel sauna – compact thermowood garden sauna for two people

The Bloomcabin HC150 measures approx. 153 cm long, 194 cm wide and 204 cm high. With a footprint of around 2.97 m², it is one of the particularly compact barrel saunas. This makes it suitable for gardens, appropriate decks, courtyards or holiday homes where space is limited. The interior provides a comfortable seated sauna for two people. With an internal height of approx. 175 cm, it is designed for sitting. If you do not need a lying surface or separate anteroom, this space-saving cabin uses its full interior as a sauna room.

This page explains the space and technical requirements for the model, how the short barrel shape works in everyday use, and what to clarify before ordering and installation. Explore other sizes and designs in the Bloomcabin sauna range.

What makes this model distinctive

Your choice depends on the combination of dimensions, internal height, seated use and electric heating. It is equally important that the site has enough room for installation, access and later inspections.

Thermowood: the defining HC150 material

The HC150 is made from FSC®-certified thermowood. Thermal treatment means the timber absorbs less moisture and moves less under changing conditions than untreated wood. These properties are particularly relevant for a barrel sauna that remains outdoors year-round. They do not replace correct installation or regular inspections. Wood remains a natural material whose appearance changes over time through sunlight, rain and use.

Visible grain and warm timber character define the sauna’s appearance. The HC150 can therefore work beautifully with timber decks, natural stone, gravel areas and planted garden spaces. When planning the site, however, do not enclose the sauna directly with dense vegetation. Falling leaves, constant shade and areas that dry poorly increase cleaning work. An accessible location makes exterior surfaces easier to inspect and lets you remove organic deposits promptly.

UV light and weather can gradually alter the colour of exterior surfaces. This is normal for outdoor timber and does not automatically indicate dirt. Follow the supplied manufacturer care instructions and use only suitable products. Inspect the barrel bands, visible fixings, door and seals regularly. Have any issues addressed early so moisture cannot enter and operation is not affected. Harsh cleaners and stiff brushes can damage the surface. Avoid permanently wet covers too, as the timber beneath them dries less effectively.

Clarify the base and electrical connection before installation

The HC150 is intended for use with an electric sauna heater. Which heater, controller, sauna stones and accessories form part of your order depends on the chosen configuration. Do not rely on images alone; before buying, read the full product description and supplied-content details. This shows which components are included and which accessories or services need to be arranged separately.

Electrical planning should be complete before the sauna is assembled. Have a licensed electrical professional assess the manufacturer specifications and local conditions to determine the required supply cable, protection and connection arrangement. Do not make the connection temporarily through unsuitable leads or plug connections. Agree the supply position with the installation site early. Retrofitted cable routes can disrupt the garden unnecessarily or require finished surfaces to be reopened. After commissioning, keep documentation for the heater, controller and electrical connection together in a dry, easy-to-find place. At a later inspection, the professional can then identify installed components and how the system is isolated from the power supply. Clearly label the relevant circuit breaker where appropriate. Ensure that all users understand the basic operating and shut-down steps. Unauthorised changes to the supply, controller or heater are not routine maintenance and should only be made after professional assessment.

The barrel sauna needs a level, load-bearing and permanently stable base. Local settlement or changes in level can stress the structure and affect door operation. Rainwater must not collect beneath the sauna either. Plan controlled drainage and keep drainage routes clear. If the HC150 is to stand on an existing deck, its load capacity must suit the complete structure, including equipment and use. Do not judge this solely from the visible surface condition, as the supporting construction beneath is equally important.

Whether the proposed site requires consents, setbacks or further building, electrical and fire-safety considerations depends on local conditions. Before ordering and installation, check these matters with your council and relevant professionals. You can also find general guidance in outdoor sauna planning advice.

Which sites and users suit the HC150?

Whether the HC150 is right for you depends chiefly on who will use it regularly, how much space is permanently available, and whether a compact seated cabin meets your expectations.

HC150 or HC 180 – which barrel length suits you?

The HC150 is designed around the smallest possible footprint and seated use. It is especially appealing when every extra centimetre in the garden or on a suitable deck matters. Space saving should not decide the choice automatically, though. Consider how often two people will sauna together, how much freedom of movement you expect, and what sitting distance feels comfortable. A careful model comparison prevents you choosing the shortest version when more space is available and a longer cabin would suit you better.

The HC 180 is approx. 34 cm longer, giving more room to move and stretch your legs. It is also designed for two people and has an internal height of 175 cm. The added length primarily improves the sense of space; the HC 180 is not designed as either a standing or lying sauna. Mark out both external outlines at the intended site as a trial. This shows how the extra length affects paths and usable garden areas, and whether the additional interior space justifies the larger footprint for you.

If you need a sheltered space for changing or storing belongings, neither the HC150 nor a longer sauna cabin on its own will be enough. Consider a model with an anteroom instead, such as the N 210 . An anteroom provides a sheltered place for belongings and changing, but needs additional space. Decide whether the HC150’s especially compact construction or a separate area matters more to you.

Plan access, cooling space and care sensibly

Plan the route between house and sauna so it remains safe to walk in darkness and wet weather. A firm, slip-resistant surface and well-positioned lighting matter more than purely decorative garden features. Keep loose cables, garden tools and uneven stepping stones out of the way. Leave enough room in front of the door to open it, enter and exit. A considered routine also includes a place to cool down quietly. Depending on your property and habits, this could be an outdoor shower, cold-water plunge or resting area. Keep water areas and electrical installations clearly separate, and have the specific layout professionally assessed.

After every sauna session, moisture created inside must be able to escape. Follow the ventilation and operating instructions for your chosen equipment. Remove damp towels and other loose items, gently wipe away visible moisture, and check that air inlets and outlets remain clear. Fully close the cabin only once the specified ventilation process is complete. Allow the heater and interior to cool sufficiently before cleaning. Use suitable mild cleaners sparingly on seating, the floor and other timber parts, avoiding heavily soaked surfaces and standing water. Include the door, fittings, seals and ventilation openings in regular visual checks. This helps you spot stiff-moving parts, deposits or changes to the timber early. At a holiday home with changing users, assign clear responsibility for ventilation, cleaning and final checks. Brief care after each use is easier to manage than occasional intensive cleaning.

Prepare the delivery route, work area and installation sequence

Check the complete route from the unloading point to the installation site. As well as gate widths, consider stairs, low openings, tight turns, slopes and delicate surfaces. Prefabricated components need enough room to be carried and turned safely. Remove movable obstacles before delivery or installation and protect vulnerable surfaces. If the garden can be reached only through the house, via a narrow passage or across a neighbouring property, arrange access well in advance. Also prepare for first use: remove packaging and tools, ensure the route to the sauna is clear and visible after dark, and have the electrical connection professionally completed. Plan a dry place outside the cabin for towels, robes and personal items, because the HC150 has no anteroom. This keeps the small interior clear and routes between the house, cooling area and sauna easy to follow. Before the appointment, also confirm who will receive delivery and whether the unloading point and transport route are accessible at the agreed time.

At the site itself, you need more clear working space than the sauna’s eventual footprint. Components must be laid down, sorted and assembled safely. Keep the area clear of garden furniture, planters and stored materials. Once assembled, the door should open without obstruction. Keep exterior surfaces, barrel bands and connection points accessible for later visual checks. Positioning the sauna too close to walls, railings or hedges makes care more difficult and can stop nearby areas drying properly.

Coordinate the order of foundation preparation, assembly and electrical connection. The supply cable must be available at the planned point without obstructing assembly work. Provide a clean, level installation area that is easily accessible for everyone involved. Check delivered components and the ordered configuration against the documentation before assembly begins. Then store assembly, operating and care instructions somewhere dry and easy to find, so they are available for commissioning, maintenance or later inspections.

Frequently asked questions about the Bloomcabin HC150