Thermowood Barrel Sauna

S 140 – compact thermowood garden sauna with approx. 195 cm internal height

The Bloomcabin S 140 is designed for outdoor spaces where a conventional barrel sauna would take up too much room. Its interior is deliberately arranged as a seated sauna for one person. This makes the model especially suitable for small decks, urban gardens and other compact sites. Planning involves more than the cabin footprint: allow for clear door space, assembly access, ventilation, sufficient room for timber care, and the route from the unloading point to the intended location.

This page helps you assess whether the size, intended use and technical requirements suit your site. Explore other designs in the Bloomcabin sauna range.

What makes this model distinctive

Dimensions, layout and planned use matter more than price alone.

Thermowood gives the compact S 140 a natural character

The sauna is made from FSC®-certified thermally treated timber. Heat treatment reduces moisture uptake and helps the material remain more dimensionally stable in changing outdoor conditions. Thermowood is still a natural product: grain, colour variations and minor visual differences are part of the material. It cannot be compared with the perfectly uniform surface of an industrially manufactured material. A stable, well-drained base and sufficient air circulation around the cabin help protect the timber structure from persistent standing moisture.

The warm timber colour works with modern decking as well as gardens with natural stone, gravel or planting. Landscaping must not restrict practical access, however. Plants should not leave wet foliage or irrigation water against the timber for extended periods. Loose materials must not compromise secure footing or the door area. If the sauna stands beside a house wall, roof runoff should not be directed onto the cabin. This keeps the setting attractive without making cleaning, inspection and maintenance unnecessarily difficult.

To retain the original timber tone for as long as possible, use only care products suitable for thermowood and the relevant application. Follow the instructions and first test the product in an inconspicuous spot. Weather-exposed exterior surfaces have different requirements from interior surfaces that encounter skin, heat and moisture during sauna use. Surface treatment also does not compensate for poor drainage. Water must still drain reliably away from the site and the timber construction.

Choosing the right electric heater for the S 140

The S 140 is intended exclusively for a suitable electric sauna heater. Firewood storage and a chimney are therefore unnecessary, but the electrical supply must be planned early. Follow the technical requirements for the sauna, selected heater and associated control unit. This is not comparable with an ordinary outdoor power outlet. A licensed electrical professional must assess and carry out cable routing, circuit protection, switching and other required safety measures. Clarify the cable route before the foundation or deck surface is finished where possible.

With an internal volume of about 5 m³, heater output must meet the S 140 technical requirements. More output is not automatically better, and an undersized heater is equally unsuitable. In addition to cabin volume, consider the approved installation arrangement, intended position and required clearances from combustible components. Use only a combination suitable for this model and do not alter the heater position yourself. The area around the heater must remain free of towels, robes and other items during use.

Provide the licensed electrical professional with the technical documents for the selected heater and controller combination in good time. Differences between the prepared installation and supplied equipment can then be identified before assembly. Use the system only after correct installation, testing and commissioning. Afterwards, follow the sauna, heater and controller instructions for operation, temperature selection and shutdown.

Prepare the compact S 140 site carefully

Before ordering, mark the external outline and door swing area on the ground. This shows whether the door can open freely and entry and exit will remain comfortable in daily use. Then walk the route between the house and sauna. Garden furniture, planters, railings or narrow passages can restrict use more than the footprint suggests. The planned electrical supply must also avoid becoming a trip hazard or running through the future cooling-down area.

The base must be level, load-bearing and suitable for the lasting load of the sauna, heater and users. Rainwater and cleaning water should drain away rather than collect beneath the timber structure. For an existing deck, assess the surface, build-up and supporting structure together. Sunken pavers or flexible boards are not a reliable base, even if the cabin needs little space. If load capacity, fixing or drainage is uncertain, have the specific construction professionally assessed before scheduling work.

Measure the entire transport route from the unloading point to the prepared site. As well as gate and door widths, consider clear heights, stair landings, tight turns, slopes and overhead obstacles. Prefabricated panels can ease access to smaller properties, but still require enough space for safe carrying, turning and temporary storage. Keep a firm, clean work area clear on assembly day and protect components from dirt and rain. If the route crosses shared areas, arrange their temporary use in advance.

Where the S 140 can be especially useful

The right sauna depends on how, and by whom, it will actually be used.

S 140 or HC150 – which layout suits you better?

The S 140 combines a particularly small footprint with about 195 cm internal height and a seating bench for personal sauna sessions. It is particularly appealing where available width is decisive and the sauna will mostly be used by one person. Do not decide solely on the smaller external dimensions. Consider whether you prefer comfortable seated sauna use or need a longer bench for stretching out. The compact design is the right choice when it fits your real routines.

The HC150 offers more width and is designed for two people, but has an internal height of only around 175 cm. The models therefore differ in both footprint and spatial feel: the HC150 provides couples with an additional seat, while the taller, narrower S 140 is tailored to one person. With either option, also allow space for assembly, door movement and future access to the exterior surfaces.

Compare the dimensions with your preferred seating position and the height of all regular users. A compact footprint is beneficial only when the bench length and room to move are sufficient every day. If several household members will use the sauna, clarify their expectations for seating comfort and shared sessions before buying. The most frequent use case matters, not an occasional exception.

Make the area around the S 140 practical

An outdoor shower, a seat and a sheltered shelf for towels can usefully complement the sauna area. Position these elements only after the door route, electrical area and cabin access are fixed. A bench directly in front of the door obstructs exit, and loose items can become trip hazards in low light. A clear division between a dry storage or resting zone and the wet cooling-down area is practical. Shoes and textiles are then better protected from splashes while the limited area stays orderly.

In a tight space, begin with the elements you genuinely need and add to the sauna area only once the final arrangement has been tried. Movable seating or shelves adapt more easily to walking routes and the cooling-down area than early fixed installations. Choose items that are simple to clean and can be moved aside when not in use. This keeps the design flexible if everyday use reveals a different need for storage or rest space.

Plan access, cooling down and weather protection for every season

For year-round use, the route between the house and S 140 should be short, well lit and safe to walk when wet. Lighting should make steps, edges and the door area visible without unnecessarily affecting privacy. Assess surfaces in rain, leaf fall and winter dampness. Hoses, extension leads and loose objects do not belong on the walking route. A quick check before a sauna session is especially worthwhile when weather and ground conditions have changed since the previous use.

If an outdoor shower, plunge pool or small pool is planned, include water supply, drainage and frost protection in the overall design. Cooling water must not run beneath the sauna or towards electrical installation. Also provide a suitable transition between cabin and wet area. Pipes and fittings must suit their location and remain accessible for maintenance. Even without a fixed water connection, establish in advance where used water can drain in a controlled way.

A weather-protected place for robes, towels and shoes keeps the small interior clear. Damp textiles should be dried outside the cabin after sauna use. A covered seat can serve as a rest area if access and airflow around the sauna remain clear. Store loose items so they cannot enter the door or heater area. Drinks are safer on a stable surface outside the hot cabin; breakable vessels are unsuitable for barefoot areas.

Inspect and maintain thermowood and components regularly

Thermowood suits changing outdoor conditions, but remains a natural material. Sunlight, rain and temperature changes can alter its colour and appearance over time. Different sides weather differently depending on orientation: a sheltered surface beneath an eave develops differently from an exposed exterior side. Distinguish these visual changes from issues caused by persistent water or inadequate ventilation. Regular visual checks help you understand normal timber development and spot unusual changes early.

Check timber surfaces, barrel bands, screw connections, the door and seals regularly and after unusual stress. Look for loose connections, rubbing components, restricted door movement and places where water remains. After sauna use, the interior must be able to air and dry according to the product and heater instructions. Remove damp pads and textiles for this purpose. Do not repair irregularities in electrical components yourself; have a licensed electrical professional inspect them.

For interior cleaning, use material-compatible products with soft cloths or suitable brushes. Remove residues sparingly without soaking the timber unnecessarily. Aggressive cleaners, unsuitable solvents and pressure washers can roughen, discolour or damage surfaces. Check whether each care product is intended for the sauna interior or only for weather-exposed exterior surfaces. Clean the cooled, switched-off sauna and let all surfaces dry fully before heating again. Follow the respective manufacturer instructions for heater and controller.

Clarify contents, transport and site requirements early

Do not order from product images alone; use the details of the exact configuration selected. Record whether the electric heater, controller, sauna stones and required protective components are included, and what work must be organised on site. This can include preparing the base, electrical supply or assembly assistance. Compare this overview with the order confirmation so the delivery contents and prepared connections match.

Give the supplier or assembly team measurements and photos of gates, stairs, turns and other critical passages before the delivery date. This allows the transport route to be assessed before components arrive. Also decide where delivery will be received and set down in order on a clean, load-bearing surface. Remove movable obstacles and protect sensitive surfaces. If access remains unclear at any point, resolve it before confirming the date.

Also check whether building consent or resource consent is needed, along with site-specific boundary and electrical requirements. This depends on the property, existing development and proposed installation. Before permanent work begins, consult the relevant council and appropriate licensed professionals. Drainage, proximity to boundaries and existing underground services can also affect planning. Keep technical documents, assembly instructions and electrical-component information together so they are available for installation and maintenance. Further guidance is available under Useful information.

Keep the interior clear before and after sauna use

Before heating, a brief visual check is enough: the seating area and space around the electric heater must be clear, the door must move freely, and technical components must show no visible irregularities. Take inside only the sauna items needed immediately. Robes, shoes, spare towels and care products are better kept in a dry place outside the cabin. This creates room to move and helps prevent items accidentally reaching the heater area.

Switch off the system after sauna use in line with the operating instructions. Then air the cabin and remove moisture from heavily used surfaces where product instructions require this. Seat covers can reduce direct sweat transfer but must dry outside the cabin afterwards. In the small S 140, even a few forgotten items take up substantial usable space. Before the sauna remains closed for an extended period, the interior should therefore be dry and completely tidy.

In a holiday home or shared garden, make clear who keeps the technical documents, dries the cabin after use and carries out regular checks. Every user needs a short introduction to operating the controller, keeping the heater area clear and ventilating correctly after sauna use. This keeps routines consistent when different people use the S 140. People unable to operate the system safely must not have unsupervised access to the controller or hot heater.

Position the S 140 sensibly in limited space

Compare several S 140 orientations on a site plan instead of drawing only one possible position. Mark the external dimensions, door movement, house wall, property boundaries and fixed structures, along with downpipes, exterior lights, water connections and existing electrical connection points. Prefer the option with direct access and easily reached exterior surfaces. This reveals which position works with existing features without temporary solutions for power supply or walking routes.

When installing close to the house, windows, doors, shutters, downpipes and maintenance hatches must remain fully reachable and usable. Check whether an eave restricts airflow or directs rainwater onto the sauna. Access to boundaries and existing paths must also not be blocked. If services run underground or attachment to existing structures is planned, know their exact location before work begins. A recess that fits on paper is therefore not automatically a suitable site.

Observe the intended location at different times of day and in varied weather where possible. This shows whether rainwater runs towards the sauna, wet leaves gather on one side or access becomes impractical in poor weather. Consider lawn irrigation and roof drainage too, as these can add moisture to exterior surfaces. At the same time, routes to dry storage and the cooling-down area should remain short and clear. A suitable position therefore improves both space use and later sauna operation.

Create privacy while keeping the sauna accessible

Because the S 140 often stands near a deck, house or property boundary, assess sightlines early. The view of the door area as users enter and leave the cabin is particularly important. Consider the site from neighbouring seats, paths and windows too. A different sauna orientation often improves privacy without extra structures. The route to sheltered storage should remain short so users do not need to cross exposed or wet areas unnecessarily.

A narrow privacy screen, slatted wall or carefully positioned plants can reduce unwanted views into the door area. Leave sufficient distance from the sauna so the door moves freely and exterior surfaces remain reachable for inspection and care. Solid cladding directly against the timber can retain moisture. With plants, allow for future growth, leaf fall and watering. Movable elements must stand securely and be fixed so they cannot shift or strike the sauna.

For a calm overall appearance, it is usually enough to repeat materials and lines from the existing deck. A clear route, practical shelf and deliberately placed screen perform the key tasks. Avoid too many decorative elements in a small area and keep the ground uncluttered. Water pooling, dirt and changes to the construction are then easier to notice. Exterior lighting should support access without dazzling users or shining unnecessarily onto neighbouring properties.

FAQ – Bloomcabin S 140