Thermowood Barrel Sauna

S 210 barrel sauna: 12 m³ sauna room, long benches and electric or wood-fired heating

The Bloomcabin S 210 uses almost all of its compact external dimensions of approx. 211 × 210 × 222 cm for the heated cabin. With an internal height of around 195 cm, a bench area of about 180 × 198 cm and an internal volume of approximately 12 m³, it offers ample room to sit and move. As there is no anteroom, it is particularly suited to sites where sauna space takes priority over an integrated changing or storage area. In addition to the footprint, plan a dry, easily accessible area directly outside the door.

Discover further designs in the Bloomcabin sauna range.

Dimensions, layout and heating options for the S 210

When comparing models, consider external dimensions, usable bench space, internal height, anteroom and heating type together. The S 210 combines a compact barrel shape with a sauna room that is not shortened by an ancillary room. Measure not only the external outline at the intended site, but also allow for installation, future maintenance, the door area and requirements for the chosen heater.

For regular sauna sessions in your own garden

For regular sauna use, the arrangements outside the cabin deserve as much planning as the interior. A short, safe path from the house, a fixed place for dry textiles, and easily reached resting and cooling options make the intervals between sauna rounds easier. Since there is no anteroom, these functions must be arranged outside the S 210.

Comfort depends not only on bench space, but also on free movement within the cabin. Regular users should be able to reach and leave their places without having to squeeze past one another. Consider not only seating positions, but also the movements involved in standing up, throwing water on the stones and walking to the door.

If several guests often sauna at once or a sheltered changing room is needed, compare other models. What matters is not an occasional maximum occupancy, but the number of people who should normally be comfortable together. Also consider rest breaks: more users require more seating outside the S 210.

Natural barrel styling for a garden, patio or holiday home

The S 210 is made from FSC®-certified thermowood. Heat treatment means the wood absorbs less moisture and remains more dimensionally stable. It is still a natural material that responds to moisture, sunshine and temperature changes. Small changes in colour and surface appearance are part of its natural development. For cleaning and exterior care, use only products expressly suitable for their intended application and thermally treated wood.

The warm wood tone and rounded form work especially well in planted gardens, beside timber patios and at holiday homes. Appearance should not, however, be the only factor in choosing the site. Splashing water, dense planting, permanent shade and inaccessible rear surfaces make cleaning and inspection more difficult. Leave sufficient distance from plants and nearby structures to keep timber surfaces, barrel bands and roof covering accessible.

Sunlight can alter the wood colour over time. A suitable exterior treatment may help retain the original tone for longer. Before the first application, decide whether to accept this natural change in colour or preserve the initial wood tone. Follow the care product instructions and test it first in an inconspicuous area.

Electric or wood-fired heating: two different sauna experiences

An electric heater is convenient to operate and is especially suitable for spontaneous or regular use. No firewood needs preparing or storing, and there is no ash. It requires a professionally installed connection suited to the selected heater. Before ordering, ask a registered local electrical contractor how the cable route, protection, controls and connection can be implemented at the intended site.

With a wood-fired heater, lighting the fire is part of the sauna experience. Flame, wood scent and refuelling create a classic atmosphere, but demand more preparation and attention. Firewood must be stored dry and safely, the heater needs supervision while operating, and cooled ash must be removed properly. Consider the flue route and access for later inspections when choosing the site.

For a wood-fired version, consider the chimney, heat protection, safety clearances and local requirements for combustion appliances. Seek guidance from local building control or the relevant fire authority before installation. For either heating type, check which components belong to the chosen configuration before ordering. Base your decision on building requirements, everyday effort, heater documentation and professionally planned connections or flue routing.

A level, load-bearing base for the S 210

The sauna needs a level, permanently load-bearing surface. The base must support not only the timber structure, but also the heater, sauna stones and users. Uneven settlement can affect the barrel shape, door operation and any connections. Have the planned installation assessed professionally if ground conditions, an existing foundation or a patio’s load capacity are uncertain.

For an existing patio, inspect the whole structure, particularly if it is raised, older or timber-built. Visible decking boards are not the only consideration: the substructure, supports and load-bearing connections also matter. Before installation, establish how components can reach the intended position without damaging railings, eaves or other parts of the building.

Rainwater or cleaning water must not collect permanently beneath the sauna. The site should drain water in a controlled way while allowing adequate airflow underneath. Avoid tightly fitted cladding, material added later or plant growth that traps moisture and obscures the substructure.

S 210 or N 210: large sauna room or separate anteroom?

The N 210 has a separate anteroom with a similar basic form. This sheltered intermediate area makes the transition between outdoors and the heated cabin easier, but uses part of the available length. The comparison is therefore less about external form than about which use should take priority within each model size.

With the S 210, by contrast, almost the entire length is available for the sauna room and its large bench area. It is the more suitable layout when comfortable seating and freedom of movement in the cabin are the focus. The missing anteroom is a deliberate choice: changing, storage and a weather-protected transition take place outside the barrel sauna.

The key question is where the functions of an anteroom can be accommodated. Check whether the site has a protected area outside the sauna for shoes, dry textiles and the transition to a resting place. If this arrangement works, the S 210 provides more space for the cabin itself. If changing and storage should happen within the sauna structure, the N 210 anteroom is the better solution.

Plan the space in front of the sauna as part of the project

A small covered area provides sheltered space for shoes, towels and bathrobes. An existing patio cover or pergola may be suitable. Keep the door swing and walking area fully clear. In daily use, furniture, baskets and shoe storage work best to one side of the entrance.

An outdoor shower or plunge pool can complement cooling down, but is not essential for using the S 210. More important is an easily reached cooling option outside the cabin. If water installations are planned, include drainage, cleaning and arrangements for periods of cold weather in the design.

For use after dark and in winter, good lighting and reliably walkable paths are important. Steps and edges should be clearly visible without glare. Loose paving, slippery timber surfaces and poorly secured mats can become obstacles when wet. Check the access route in darkness and damp conditions too.

Clean, dry and inspect benches and thermowood correctly

After every sauna session, remove wet textiles and visible water from the cabin. Then open the door and intended ventilation routes so residual moisture can escape. Drying time depends on use and weather. Do not close the sauna after a fixed period; wait until benches, floor and less visible edge areas are sufficiently dry.

Clean bench surfaces regularly with material-compatible products. Sauna towels protect timber surfaces from direct contact with perspiration. Use little water and avoid aggressive household cleaners or abrasive tools unless they are expressly suitable. Remove all cleaner residues before heating the cabin again. Regular gentle cleaning places less strain on the material than infrequent intensive deep cleaning.

Also inspect barrel bands, joints and roof covering, especially after severe weather. Watch for loose parts, conspicuous gaps, damaged surfaces and areas of standing water. Early changes can be checked before moisture or movement affects further parts. Work on the heater, electrical installation or chimney belongs in expert hands; follow the relevant manufacturer and operating instructions.

For couples and small households wanting generous bench space

If one or two people usually sauna and a generous bench area matters, the S 210 is particularly suitable. It is aimed at users who would rather devote available space to the sauna room than a preceding lounge area. Alongside user numbers, consider preferred posture, desired spacing and whether rest breaks are to take place entirely outside the sauna.

Small families can also use the cabin if they do not require a separate anteroom. Plan seating so everyone can sit comfortably and leave the cabin in an orderly way. Children may use the sauna only under direct supervision and can experience heat differently from adults. Hot heater parts, sauna stones and water on the stones require a calm, controlled routine.

Anyone seeking greater internal height or room for four or more people should also consider a barrel sauna from the HCF range. Compare models using their stated product data and your usual occupancy, not an unusual exception. A larger structure needs more footprint and circulation space and may place different demands on access, foundation and heating. The S 210 instead prioritises generous bench space within compact external dimensions.

Good accessibility makes use easier throughout the year

For year-round use, a dependable path between the house and sauna is especially important. As the S 210 has no anteroom, no obstacles should stand directly in front of the door. A firm surface, visible edges and suitable lighting make access easier. Leaves and moisture must not obstruct the entrance or door movement.

If a shower, pool or water connection is to form part of the sauna area, water must be directed away from the foundation. Plan pipes and fittings so they remain accessible and serviceable during seasonal breaks without dismantling parts of the sauna. This is particularly important where a water installation may be exposed to frost.

A cover can make the entrance more weather-protected, but must not impair ventilation, roof drainage or access to external surfaces. Rainwater should not gather between the cover and barrel. Privacy screens also need sufficient clearance so barrel bands, timber surfaces and roof connections remain available for inspection and care.

Four questions for choosing a model

Do not assess the following points separately: your preferred seating posture determines bench space, the lack of anteroom determines storage space, and the chosen heater determines technical preparation. Only once access for installation and maintenance is assured can the site be assessed properly.

Clarify configuration, delivery route and local requirements before purchase

Check the contents of the selected configuration against the order documents. Whether the heater, controls, sauna stones, chimney parts and protective components are included depends on the version. Match order items with installation documents before preparatory work begins. This allows connections and necessary protective components to be planned in time.

Check vehicle access, unloading area and the full transport route to the foundation. Allow for low branches, roof overhangs, slopes and sensitive surfaces. At the unloading point, components must be placed in an orderly way and protected from dirt without unnecessarily blocking public or shared routes.

Depending on the property, municipal requirements may apply to construction, siting and electrical installation; a wood-fired heater also requires attention to local combustion-appliance and fire requirements. Confirm early which approvals, consultations and specialist work are needed for the proposed site. Property boundaries and neighbouring buildings may also be relevant. Find more guidance under planning and installation guidance.

Allow for safe operation and good maintenance access from the start

Before installation, decide which way the entrance should face and how the sauna will be reached in darkness or poor weather. The site may offer privacy, but must remain accessible for regular use. Leave sufficient space around the structure for cleaning, inspections and possible repairs. This helps the S 210 fit into the garden without making later care more difficult.

Before heating, keep the area around the heater free from combustible objects. Use only controls intended for the selected equipment and follow the relevant operating instructions. A wood-fired heater additionally requires compliance with instructions for the chimney, heat protection and safety clearances. If there is an unusual smell, visible damage or a fault, do not use the sauna again until it has been inspected by a competent professional.

Prepare the sauna for longer breaks in use as well. Clean and dry the cabin completely beforehand; textiles, loose items and care products should not be left inside permanently. Keep ventilation routes clear. Before heating again, check the interior, door, heater area and accessible external components for moisture, foreign objects or visible damage.

FAQ about the Bloomcabin S 210