The main difference is how it emits heat. Infrared saunas heat your body directly using infrared panels, meaning you need to sit close to the panels. The panels typically heat up quickly (10-20 minutes). A traditional sauna uses an electric or wood-fired heater to heat the entire sauna room, which typically takes 30-45 minutes.

It comes down to your personal preference and space! Barrel saunas offer a striking design, natural water run-off, and highly efficient heat distribution due to the curved walls. Traditional cabin saunas provide a classic architectural look, are easy to integrate into existing spaces, and offer varied bench-height options.

Think about how many people will use the sauna at the same time regularly. We offer a wide range of sizes, from intimate 1-person units perfect for small homes, up to spacious commercial-grade models that can comfortably seat up to 8 people.

Yes! If you have a specific budget in mind, let us know. We can guide you toward the best prefab kit or provide a tailored, custom-build quote that meets both your financial and design needs.

Yes, we specialise in commercial sauna builds and supply for gyms, recovery centres, and wellness clinics across Australia. We have proudly partnered with locations like RCVRI Manly and Saunaus to deliver high-performance commercial setups. You can view our most recent projects in our gallery.

It should be softwood, as it absorbs excess humidity to keep the atmosphere dry and won’t become too hot to sit on. It must be properly kiln-dried to prevent shrinkage. We recommend Thermo-modified timbers.

We use only the highest-grade, premium timbers. Our prestige selection includes Western Red Cedar, European Alder, European Aspen, Canadian Hemlock, and Thermo-modified Spruce.

Absolutely. We use premium, solid, chemical-free timbers and never use finger-jointed wood or pieces glued together. Our Thermo-modified European timbers are treated with heat and steam only, ensuring they are completely free from toxic glues and perfectly safe for the extreme heat of a sauna environment.

The advanced thermal modification process used on our timbers is chemical-free and eco-friendly, enhancing real wood using only heat and steam. This treatment makes the timber significantly more durable, lightweight, and dimensionally stable in changing weather conditions. It also improves insulation by reducing thermal conductivity and means the timber will never get too hot to touch. Our Class 1-rated Thermo Spruce offers exceptional longevity, providing over 25 years of proven rot resistance. You also have the choice to oil it or leave it as a low-maintenance option.

The floor must be waterproof and easy to clean, such as timber, cement, tile, or vinyl. Never use carpet. A floor drain is not necessary for home use but is essential in commercial settings.

This depends entirely on the kilowatt (kW) size of your heater. In most cases, heaters between 1kW and 6kW can run on single-phase power. If your sauna is larger and requires a heater of 7kW or above, you will likely need 3-phase power. Please contact your electrician to confirm specific requirements for your property.

If your home only has single-phase power, in many cases, you are limited to running our electric heaters sized up to 6kW. Please contact your electrician to confirm specific requirements for your property.

You can calculate your room volume by multiplying the Length x Width x Depth (Height) of your sauna room. Glass doors or walls should also be taken into consideration, with one full glass frontage wall adding the equivalent of an additional 1 – 2 cubic meters to your space. We recommend choosing a heater where your room volume sits right in the middle of the heater’s capacity range, ensuring it won’t overheat or underperform.

On Harvia heaters, The “E” indicates that the heater does not have built-in manual dials. Instead, it is controlled via a separate digital control panel, which can also include WiFi functionality allowing you to control your sauna directly from your smartphone.

Manual models feature control dials directly on the heater unit itself; they are highly reliable and a more cost-effective choice. Digital or WiFi-enabled models (the “E” models on Harvia Heaters) allow you to turn on your sauna and set the temperature remotely from a separate wall pad or your phone.

While a 20kg rock heater looks more compact and aesthetic, a 60kg capacity heater will hold heat much longer. Because the 60kg of rocks retain so much thermal mass, the heating elements don’t need to turn on and off as frequently to maintain the room temperature, which significantly extends the lifespan of your heater.

Yes, you can! However, you must only pour a single ladle’s worth of water at a time, and only when the rocks are incredibly hot. Pouring water on cold rocks, or dumping too much water at once, can permanently ruin the heating elements.

Wood-fired heaters require additional accessories for safety and functionality, including a proper chimney/flue system for ventilation, protective heat shields for the surrounding timber, sauna rocks, and a steady supply of firewood.

Our showroom is located at Suite 1, 52 Alfred Street, Milsons Point, NSW. Our factory is located at 3/26 Tom Thumb Ave, South Nowra, NSW 2541.

No, SDS Australia currently excludes the cost of shipping from the prices of products in our online shop.

Because we ship items ranging from 500 grams to over 900 kgs, prices vary greatly. We work with you to find the best solution, using Australia Post for smaller items or a selection of freight companies for larger items. You can also pick up goods free of charge from our South Nowra factory.

Stock levels fluctuate frequently based on demand. We do hold significant inventory at our South Nowra (NSW) factory/warehouse. Please call us directly to check real-time stock availability for the specific model you want.

Once the stock is confirmed as available and your order is paid in full, we typically ship items within 3 business days.

Once your order is dispatched, you will be sent an email containing your tracking information. This allows you to monitor the shipping status directly to your door.

You need to prepare a solid, completely level area before installation. A concrete pad, a reinforced deck, or a tiled area are ideal, but it must be able to comfortably withstand 700–1200kg of weight without shifting.

You should organise a licensed electrician prior to finishing your sauna assembly. They will need to run the correct power supply (single or 3-phase) and install an electrical connection point to the rear of the sauna (or near the heater location).

Yes. We supply comprehensive installation manuals and wiring diagrams for our heaters, ensuring that experienced, licensed electricians can safely and correctly install the unit.

Our prefab and barrel sauna kits are beautifully engineered for relatively straightforward assembly. If you are handy with basic tools, putting it together with a friend or two makes for a great weekend project.

Sauna cladding should generally be fixed using stainless steel brads or screws, hidden within the tongue and groove connection details where possible. This creates a seamless look and ensures no hot metal fixings are exposed to bare skin.

Our benches are built using sturdy framing timber and topped with premium bench boards (such as Aspen or Alder). They are specifically designed and spaced to allow for proper airflow, heat circulation, and easy cleaning.

Yes, we do! Our expert team offers professional assembly and installation services for a hassle-free setup. We currently provide installation services across QLD, NSW, VIC, WA, ACT, and SA.

For a traditional Finnish saunas, he temperature is typically between 70°C and 100°C, with the ideal temperature around 85°C. The exact temperature will depend on what your specific heater is capable of. The higher you sit in a sauna, the hotter it will be. Top quality infrared saunas can reach up to 70°C.

A typical user stays in for 10-20 minutes, steps out to cool off, and repeats the process as desired. If you feel uncomfortable at any time, leave the sauna and cool off.

For your own personal at-home sauna, there are no rules. You can undress completely or wear bathers. Sit or lay on a towel. To create warmth and steam, throw water on the stones. If it gets too hot, step down to a lower bench or step out entirely. Shower or swim afterwards, and repeat the cycle as you like.

Take a shower or bath to cleanse your skin; a cool rinse will close your pores. Apply a skin moisturiser and make sure to drink water or another healthy beverage to replace the fluids you lost through sweating.

If properly insulated and sized, a Finnish sauna should reach operating temperature in 30-45 minutes. We recommend closing any vents and doors during the warm-up period.

They perform exceptionally well. By utilising premium materials like Thermo-modified timber and bitumen shingles, our saunas offer incredible stability, rot resistance, and longevity, making them highly capable of withstanding Australia’s harsh coastal environments and weather.

The wood needs protection against excessive water, so never wash the cabin with a hose. After every use, leave the door open at least an inch while it cools to let the sauna breathe and prevent wood from cracking. Wipe the floor occasionally, and wipe benches with a damp (not wet) cloth.