Thermowood Barrel Sauna

HCF 225 barrel sauna – compact external length and generous interior height

The Bloomcabin HCF 225 combines an external length of approximately 227 cm with a spacious sauna cabin. At around 229 cm wide and 238 cm high externally, it offers approximately 210 cm of interior height, while the benches are about 196 cm long. These proportions are the model’s defining advantage: despite its manageable external length, it provides considerably more room to stand upright than a lower barrel sauna. Up to four adults can use the HCF 225 together. This is its maximum occupancy, not an indication of identical freedom of movement in every situation. With four people, the cabin is principally intended for shared seating. Used alone or by two people, the bench can also allow stretching out, depending on height and position. The HCF 225 has no anteroom; its enclosed space is entirely dedicated to the sauna cabin. Consider which priority matters more to you: a tall cabin with longer benches, or an additional separated area. Before ordering, compare the height of regular users, typical occupancy and preferred seated or reclining position. This helps you assess the model according to real use rather than its stated number of people alone.

Explore further models and designs in the Bloomcabin sauna range.

HCF 225 at a glance

FSC®-certified thermally modified timber for outdoor use

The HCF 225 is made from FSC®-certified thermally modified timber. Thermal treatment reduces moisture uptake and helps the timber remain more dimensionally stable. This is beneficial for an outdoor sauna, where the material is exposed both to changing weather and to temperature and humidity differences between sauna use and cooling down. Thermally modified timber nevertheless remains a natural material. Variations in grain and colour, along with gradual visual changes, are characteristic of it. Thermally modified timber also needs a site with effective drainage and regular visual inspections. Avoid permanently standing water, splashing from the ground and accumulated leaves. To preserve the original colour for as long as possible, use only care products expressly suitable for the timber and the relevant area. External surfaces, internal walls and benches have different requirements. A treatment for the outer shell is not automatically suitable for surfaces that contact skin during sauna use.

The tall barrel design combines the characteristic curve of a barrel sauna with considerably more headroom than a lower version. Its curved walls mean that the interior is used differently from a rectangular cabin: there are no vertical wall surfaces in the upper and lower edge areas. Do not plan shelves, furniture or accessories you may wish to add later solely from a straight dimension drawing. The decisive factors are the actual clear interior space and the installation positions specified by the manufacturer.

Wood-burning stove, depending on selected specification

Depending on the chosen specification, the HCF 225 can be supplied with a wood-burning stove. This heating method suits users who want to manage lighting the fire and can store dry firewood. Unlike simply switching on a heat source, operation needs more preparation: load the stove according to its instructions and supervise combustion. Before ordering, check exactly which heating components belong to the selected version. Do not rely on product images for the scope of supply; use the details for the specific configuration together with the relevant assembly and operating documentation.

Store dry firewood protected from the weather and with adequate separation from hot components. Heating time depends, among other things, on the starting temperature, amount of wood, operation and the sauna climate you want. A fixed time therefore cannot be set meaningfully. Follow the instructions for the stove in use when lighting, refuelling and regulating airflow rather than starting with the largest possible amount of fuel. Never leave combustion unattended. Remove ash only when it presents no fire risk and keep it in a suitable non-combustible container until final disposal.

The flue route, heat protection, stove-area base and safety clearances must suit the stove and chimney equipment actually selected. The technical requirements of the relevant manufacturers and the requirements at the installation site are decisive. Clarify these points before assembly, since later alterations to a wall penetration, roof area or protective surfaces can be substantially more demanding. Do not use self-selected replacement parts for the flue or heat protection unless they are expressly intended for the system. Before lighting the stove for the first time, check all connections, protective clearances and moving parts after installation. Seek guidance from the relevant local building-control and fire authority on the appliance, flue, ventilation, clearances and any smoke restrictions. The stove operating manual remains binding for fuel, operation, supervision and cleaning.

Prepare the base, foundation and access carefully

The HCF 225 is wider than the HC 225. In addition to available length, check the clear width and the room required for assembly and maintenance. Measure at several points if walls, fences, roof overhangs or dense planting restrict the site. A plan view alone does not reveal overhead obstacles. Also allow for the door swing, a comfortably walkable approach and sufficient room to inspect or treat the exterior surfaces later. Do not position the sauna so tightly between other structures that certain areas can be reached only after dismantling. Look out for branches, downpipes and irrigation equipment that direct water onto the timber or obstruct access. The route between house and sauna should remain clear at all times; temporary stepping surfaces, loose cables and stacks of firewood do not belong in the entrance area.

The ground must remain load-bearing, level and stable so the structure is supported evenly and does not become distorted. The appropriate foundation design depends on conditions on the property and the installation requirements. Before construction, assess level, load-bearing capacity and drainage together. Rainwater must be able to run away from the structure so permanent moisture does not develop beneath the timber construction. Soil or vegetation should not reach timber parts directly and prevent them from drying. After heavy rain, check whether water collects or flows towards the sauna from the surrounding area. A drainage channel added later cannot compensate for a base that settles or takes loads unevenly. The foundation and sauna should therefore be planned together from the outset.

As the HCF 225 has no anteroom, you step directly from the external door into the sauna cabin. Plan a dry, sheltered place outside for bathrobes, towels, shoes and personal belongings. It should be easy to reach without blocking the door swing or exit. Firewood and stove accessories need separate, suitable storage. A safe surface in front of the door is also important. Smooth areas that become slippery when wet, loose mats, unsecured slabs and trip edges are unsuitable there. Outdoor lighting makes orientation easier after dark. It must be suitable for the intended location and fitted so that it obstructs neither access nor assembly.

HCF 225 or HC 225?

The HC 225 offers approximately 175 cm of interior height, is designed for two to three people and is more compact overall. It is therefore suitable for anyone content with lower occupancy and comfortable with a lower cabin. Taller people in particular should note that reduced interior height noticeably affects both the feeling of space and the ability to straighten up. Compare not only external length, but also height, typical occupancy, preferred sitting position and the width and height available at the site.

By comparison, the HCF 225 offers around 210 cm of interior height, benches about 196 cm long and room for up to four adults. The extra space is entirely dedicated to the sauna cabin because there is no anteroom. This model is especially suitable when more headroom and more flexible bench use matter more than a separate adjoining area. With fewer users, you can enjoy the interior more generously; with family or guests, extra seats are available. Check, however, whether these benefits will genuinely be used day to day and whether the larger footprint suits your property.

If the size differences are difficult to picture from a drawing, temporarily mark the interior heights of around 175 and 210 cm on a wall. The marks illustrate only the difference in height and do not reproduce the curved cabin shape. Even so, the tallest regular users can assess how relevant the added height is for standing upright. For the HCF 225, also mark out a 196 cm length to compare bench length directly with body height. Consider usual group occupancy separately: a suitable height says nothing about how much room you want when seated together. Only then should the space available at your site decide between the more spacious HCF 225 and the more compact HC 225.

Caring properly for thermally modified outdoor timber

Inspect timber surfaces in a consistent sequence so that less visible areas are not missed. Start with the upper exterior surfaces and work down to the lower components. Check transitions, edges and areas close to the ground particularly carefully. Look for unusual distortion, opening joints, damage and sections that dry noticeably more slowly after rain than the surrounding area. If needed, record observations with a date and photograph so that you can see at the next inspection whether the condition has changed. Do not sand or coat affected areas too quickly. First check the care instructions, as an unsuitable product or localised treatment can produce an uneven result.

Inspect the timber, barrel bands, screw connections, door and seals regularly. In a barrel sauna, correctly seated bands and connections help keep the components in their intended positions. Make adjustments only in accordance with the product documentation: overtightening can be as problematic as ignoring visibly loosened parts. The door should close freely without rubbing on the floor or frame. Keep the seals clean and remove embedded dirt. Ventilate the interior after sauna use until remaining moisture has escaped. Do not dry damp textiles in the closed cabin. Clean benches and frequently touched surfaces only once they have cooled, using a suitable method, and allow them to dry completely before the next heating cycle. Check joints and the undersides of benches too, as moisture is less obvious there.

Use only cleaning and care products suitable for the relevant material and intended area, following the stated dosage. Aggressive household cleaners, abrasive tools and unsuitable coatings can damage timber fibres and affect colour and skin-contact surfaces. A pressure washer is unsuitable because its concentrated jet can damage the surface and force moisture into joints. Instead, remove loose dirt gently and with as little additional water as possible. Maintain the stove, chimney area and protective components solely in accordance with their respective instructions; hot components must cool completely first. Remove leaves and plant debris from the exterior construction without damaging the timber with sharp tools. Then check that the door and technical components still work correctly and that ventilation paths remain clear.

Check the scope of supply, access and local requirements

Check your selected product configuration carefully, as the stove, controls, sauna stones, chimney components and protective parts may vary by specification. List all parts required for your planned heating solution and compare them against the expressly stated scope of supply. Accessories shown in product images are not automatically included. Also ensure that the stove, stones, flue and protective parts form the intended system. If specialist work or inspections are required, arrange them before the assembly date. Keep the product documents close at hand for assembly, first commissioning and future maintenance. Sort delivered packages and hardware sets using the delivery documents before installation, retaining any labels until parts are clearly identified. Check all items for completeness and visible transport damage. Document any discrepancy in the delivered condition. Clarify damaged, missing or uncertain components before assembly.

Before delivery, inspect the whole route from the unloading area to the installation site. In addition to gates and narrow garden paths, stairs, tight turns, slopes, soft ground and low branches can complicate transport. Also consider locations where larger components cannot be turned or set down safely. Clear the transport route in good time and keep vehicles, garden furniture and other obstacles away. The installation site should have enough room to sort components methodically and store them safely for a short period. Protect delivered timber from ground moisture and rainfall in line with the instructions until assembly. Build the sauna according to the supplied manual. Arrange any required helpers, tools and specified lifting equipment before assembly begins.

The applicable building, boundary, electrical and, where relevant, fire-appliance requirements depend on the property, siting and heating selected. Experience from another municipality or from differently equipped buildings cannot simply be transferred. Before work begins, clarify open questions with the relevant municipality and suitable professionals. Ask the municipality to classify the actual project by its use, roof, enclosure, size, services and siting; do not assume that a minor-work classification removes the need for approval. This also applies to cables and outdoor connections: do not run cables temporarily across paths or through the sauna structure without appropriate planning. Electrical work must meet local requirements and be undertaken by a competent, legally registered electrical contractor, with inspection, testing and any applicable Certificate of Compliance. Add necessary clearances from boundaries, buildings and combustible areas to your site sketch. Find further guidance on preparation, use and coordination under Useful information.