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 configured as a seated sauna for one person. This makes the model especially suitable for small patios, urban gardens and other restricted sites. Planning involves more than the cabin footprint: allow for clear door space, assembly access, ventilation, room for timber care and the route from the unloading point to the intended location.

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

What makes this model distinctive

Dimensions, layout and intended use matter – not price alone.

Thermowood gives the compact S 140 its natural character

The sauna is made from FSC®-certified, thermally treated timber. Heat treatment reduces moisture absorption and helps the material remain more stable as outdoor conditions change. Thermowood is still a natural product: grain, colour variation and small visual differences are part of the material. It is not comparable with the perfectly uniform surface of an industrially made material. A load-bearing, well-drained base and adequate air around the cabin help protect the timber structure from persistent standing water.

The warm timber colour works with modern patio finishes as well as gardens with natural stone, gravel or planting. The design must not restrict practical access, however. Plants should not leave wet foliage or irrigation water against the timber for long periods. Loose material must not affect stable footing or the door area. Where the sauna stands beside a house wall, roof water should not be directed onto the cabin. This keeps the setting attractive without making cleaning, inspection and care unnecessarily difficult.

To retain the original timber shade 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 place. Weather-exposed external surfaces have different requirements from internal surfaces exposed to skin, heat and moisture during sauna use. Surface treatment also cannot correct poor drainage. Water must still run reliably away from the installation site and timber structure.

Choosing the right electric heater for the S 140

The S 140 is intended exclusively for a suitable electric sauna heater. No firewood storage or chimney is needed, but the electrical supply must be planned early. Follow the technical requirements of the sauna, chosen heater and associated controls. The connection is not comparable with an ordinary outdoor socket. Cable routing, protection, switching equipment and required safety measures must be planned and completed by a competent, legally registered local electrical contractor. Clarify the cable route before the base or patio finish is completed.

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 prescribed clearances from combustible components. Use only a combination suitable for this model and do not alter the heater position yourself. Keep towels, robes and other items away from the heater area at all times.

Provide the appointed electrical contractor with technical documents for the chosen heater and control combination in good time. This helps identify differences between the prepared installation and delivered equipment before assembly. Use the system only after professional installation, inspection, testing and commissioning. Afterwards, follow the sauna, heater and control instructions for operation, temperature selection and switching off.

Prepare the compact S 140 site carefully

Mark the external outline and door swing area on the ground before ordering. 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 and narrow passages can restrict use more than the footprint suggests. The planned electrical supply must also avoid creating a trip hazard or running through the future cooling-off area.

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

Measure the entire transport route from the unloading point to the prepared position. In addition to gate and door widths, consider clear heights, stair landings, tight turns, slopes and overhead obstacles. Prefabricated panels can make access to smaller properties easier, but need enough room 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, agree their temporary use in advance.

Where the S 140 can work particularly well

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 around 195 cm internal height and a bench for personal sauna sessions. It is especially appealing where available width is decisive and the sauna will mostly be used by one person. Do not decide on the smaller external size alone. Consider whether you want to sauna comfortably seated or need a longer bench for stretching out. The compact format is the right choice when it reflects your normal routine.

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

Compare the dimensions with your preferred seated position and the height of all regular users. A compact footprint is beneficial only if the bench length and movement space are adequate in daily life. Where several household members use the sauna, discuss their expectations for seating comfort and shared sessions before purchase. The most frequent use case matters, not a rare exception.

Make the area around the S 140 practical

An outdoor shower, seating and a protected place for towels can usefully complement the sauna area. Position these only after the door route, electrical area and cabin access are fixed. A bench directly in front of the door obstructs exit, while loose items can become trip hazards in low light. A clear division between a dry storage or resting zone and the wet cooling-off area is practical. Shoes and textiles are better protected from splashing, while the limited space remains easy to use.

In a tight space, begin with the elements you genuinely need and add to the sauna area only after testing the final layout. Movable seating or storage is easier to adapt to walking routes and the cooling-off area than items fixed in place too early. Choose objects that are simple to clean and can be put aside when not in use. This keeps the arrangement flexible if your need for storage or relaxation space changes over time.

Plan access, cooling off 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 reveal steps, edges and the door area without unnecessarily affecting privacy. Assess surfaces in rain, fallen leaves and cold or wet seasonal conditions. Hoses, extension leads and loose objects do not belong on the walkway. A brief check before each sauna session is particularly useful when weather and ground conditions have changed since last use.

If an outdoor shower, plunge pool or small pool is planned, include water supply, drainage and protection appropriate to local temperatures in the overall plan. Cooling water must not run under the sauna or towards the 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 manner.

A weather-protected shelf for robes, towels and shoes keeps the small interior clear. Damp textiles should be removed from the cabin to dry after sauna use. A covered seat can serve as a rest area if access and air circulation around the sauna remain clear. Store loose items so they cannot enter the door or heater zone. Drinks are safer on a stable surface outside the hot cabin; breakable containers 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 according to orientation: a protected surface under an overhang develops differently from a fully exposed outer side. Distinguish these visual changes from issues caused by standing water or poor 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 loading. Look for loose connections, rubbing parts, restricted door movement and places where water remains. After sauna use, the interior must be able to air and dry in accordance with the product and heater guidance. Remove damp pads and textiles. Do not repair noticeable issues with electrical components yourself; they must be checked by a qualified professional.

For internal cleaning, use material-compatible products with soft cloths or suitable brushes. Remove residue sparingly without soaking the timber unnecessarily. Harsh cleaners, unsuitable solvents and pressure washers can roughen, discolour or damage surfaces. Check whether every care product is intended for the sauna interior or only for weather-exposed exterior surfaces. Clean the cooled, switched-off sauna and allow all surfaces to dry completely before heating again. Follow the relevant manufacturer instructions for heater and controls.

Clarify delivery, transport and site requirements early

Do not rely on product images alone when ordering; use the details for your chosen configuration. Record whether the electric heater, controls, sauna stones and required protective components are included, and which site work must be arranged. This may include preparing the base, providing the electrical supply or arranging assembly assistance. Compare this list with the order confirmation so that the delivery scope and prepared connections match.

Give the supplier or assembly team dimensions and photographs 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 can be received and placed in order on a clean, load-bearing surface. Remove movable obstacles and protect sensitive floor finishes. If access remains unclear at any point, resolve it before confirming the appointment.

Also consider building, boundary and electrical requirements at the specific site. What must be clarified depends on the property, existing development and planned installation. Before permanent work, consult the relevant municipality or building-control officer and appointed professionals. In South Africa, municipal planning schemes and project classification remain important; a minor-work category does not itself confirm approval. Drainage, boundary proximity and existing underground services can also affect planning. Keep technical documents, assembly instructions and electrical information together for installation and maintenance. See Useful information.

Keep the interior clear before and after sauna use

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

Switch off the system after sauna use according to the operating instructions. Then air the cabin and remove moisture from heavily used surfaces where the product guidance requires this. Seat covers can reduce direct sweat on the timber but must dry outside the cabin afterwards. In the small S 140, only a few forgotten items take up considerable usable room. Before closing the sauna for a longer period, the interior should therefore be dry and completely tidy.

At a holiday home or in a shared garden, agree clearly who keeps the technical documents, dries the cabin after use and performs regular checks. All users need a short introduction to operating the controls, keeping the heater area clear and ventilating correctly after a sauna session. 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 controls or hot heater.

Position the S 140 effectively in a compact space

Compare several orientations for the S 140 on the site plan instead of marking only one possible position. Show the external dimensions, door movement, house wall, property boundaries and fixed features, plus downpipes, exterior lights, water points and existing electrical connection points. Prefer the option with direct access and reachable external surfaces. This reveals which position works with existing features without improvised solutions for electrical supply or the walking route.

When positioned close to the house, windows, doors, shutters, downpipes and maintenance hatches must remain fully reachable and usable. Also check whether an overhang restricts air circulation or directs rainwater onto the sauna. Access to property boundaries and existing pathways must not be blocked. If services run underground or fixing to existing structures is planned, their exact position must be known before work begins. A recess that fits on paper is therefore not automatically a suitable site.

Observe the intended site at different times of day and in changing weather where possible. You can then see whether rainwater runs towards the sauna, wet leaves collect on one side or access becomes impractical in poor weather. Consider lawn irrigation and roof drainage that could add exposure to the exterior surfaces. At the same time, routes to dry storage and the cooling-off area should remain short and clear. The right position therefore improves both use of space and future sauna operation.

Create privacy while keeping the sauna accessible

Because the S 140 often stands near a patio, house or property boundary, assess sightlines early. The view of the door area while entering and leaving the cabin is especially important. Consider the site from neighbouring seating areas, paths and windows too. A different sauna orientation often improves privacy without requiring extra structures. Keep the route to protected storage short, so users do not need to walk unnecessarily through exposed or wet areas.

A narrow screen, slatted panel or carefully positioned plants can reduce unwanted views into the door area. Keep enough distance from the sauna for the door to move freely and for exterior surfaces to remain accessible for inspection and care. Closed cladding directly against timber can retain moisture. With plants, allow for future growth, leaf fall and watering. Mobile elements must stand securely and be fixed so they cannot shift or strike the sauna.

For a calm overall look, it is usually enough to repeat materials and lines already used on the patio. A clear route, functional shelf and well-placed privacy screen perform the main tasks. Avoid excessive decorative items at a small site and keep the ground uncluttered. Water pooling, dirt and construction changes are then easier to notice. Exterior lighting should support access without dazzling users or unnecessarily shining onto neighbouring properties.

FAQ – Bloomcabin S 140