Hey there, let’s cut to the chase: if you’ve ever scrolled past an infrared sauna ad and thought “yeah, that looks fancy, probably a headache to install” — you’re not wrong… and you’re also not completely right. Full disclosure: I’m on the supplier side, so I’ve talked 100+ people through this exact question over the past two years. Most of the time, the “difficulty” depends way more on what you’re installing (and what you already have) than some random “it’s too complicated” myth. Let’s break this down like we chat over a coffee, no jargon, no fluff. Infrared Sauna
First, let’s get the basics out: infrared saunas aren’t those old-school steam saunas that require a whole rig for plumbing, steam generators, and ventilation. That’s the big misconception, right? Steam is all about water, which adds a ton of extra steps, but infrared works on heat — specifically, low-wavelength radiation that warms your body directly, not the air. That simplifies things a lot.
Now, let’s split this into two camps: pre-built saunas (the most popular for home use) and custom indoor/outdoor models. Let’s start with pre-built because that’s what most of our customers go for. For a small 2-person indoor sauna — think a box that fits in a spare bedroom nook, a closet, or even a patio (if you’re in a mild climate) — installation is way easier than you think. We recently had a first-time homeowner install their’s in a guest room closet, and they texted me halfway through like “wait, is this all I have to do?” Let’s walk through that example:
First, unboxing and moving the unit. Wait, yes — moving is a thing, but only if you pick a unit that fits through your doorways. Our most common 2-person model is around 5ft tall, 4ft wide, 3ft deep — standard doorways (30+ inches wide) are a no-brainer. No hauling through windows or cutting holes, like some cheap knockoff brands make you do. Once it’s in place, you just need a 120V outlet. That’s it. Most homes already have a 120V outlet near where you’d put it — we’ve had people plug theirs into their laundry room outlet, a garage outlet, even a bedroom outlet that’s unused. No wiring, no electrician? Wait, hold on — caveat here: if your sauna is bigger, like a 4+ person model, it might need a 240V outlet, which does need an electrician. But 90% of home users don’t go for bigger than 2 people. That’s a key point most suppliers skip to avoid scaring people off.
Then, ventilation. Infrared saunas don’t need a vent to the outside like steam, because they don’t produce excess moisture. You just need a small gap around the door — like, leave the door cracked a quarter inch, or if it’s a solid door, drill a tiny 2-inch hole near the top. That’s it. No fancy ductwork, no HVAC guy on speed dial. I remember one customer tried to install a vent like a steam sauna and I had to talk her down — that would’ve been a waste of time and $150 for a vent kit she didn’t need. The only time you want extra ventilation is if you’re using it in a super small, airtight space (like a tiny closet that’s not used for anything else) — even then, a box fan pointed at the door works, and it’s optional.
Now, the stuff that does trip people up, which I get — let’s be real, no one wants to mess up an expensive purchase. The first big one: outdoor installation. If you want an infrared sauna on your deck or patio, it’s not hard, but you do have to make sure it’s protected from direct rain, snow, and extreme temps. We tell customers to put a small roof over it, or use a weatherproof cover when not in use. You also still need power — run an extension cord? Wait, no, don’t do that. Extension cords over 10ft cause voltage drops, which make the sauna work harder and wear out faster. So either run a dedicated outdoor 120V outlet, or go for a battery-powered model (we carry those too, for renters or people who don’t want to run wiring). That’s the only “hassle” with outdoor, and it’s totally manageable — one guy I know built a tiny wooden platform for his sauna on his balcony, and he had an electrician run an outlet in an hour.
Wait, what about renters? Oh, that’s a huge group I see — people who can’t drill holes or mess with walls. A lot of our portable infrared saunas (the ones that look like a big hood you sit under, not a box) are so easy to install, you don’t need anyone. Unfold it, plug it into a regular outlet, sit down, and go. No moving big boxes, no wiring, nothing. We had a college student in an apartment who installed hers in her living room, between her couch and the TV, and she texted me the next day saying “I feel like I cheated.” That’s the beauty of portable infrared units — they’re made for people who don’t want to remodel a room or hire a crew.
Now, let’s talk about the “difficult” cases, because let’s not sugarcoat it. The times when installation does get tricky? Usually when you skip the research. Like, buying a super cheap off-brand sauna on Amazon that’s missing parts, or is too big for your space, or requires custom wiring that no one warns you about. We had a customer last month who bought a $300 sauna from a random site, and it arrived with a broken heating panel — he had to hire an electrician to rewire it, which cost him more than the sauna itself. That’s the real “difficult” part, not the installation itself. Another tricky one: if you want to build a custom sauna from scratch, not a pre-built unit. If you’re framing a whole room out of cedar, adding heating panels, insulation — that’s a whole project, not a 2-hour install. But that’s for people who want a luxury permanent fixture, not the average home user. We don’t even push custom builds for most people, because pre-built is way simpler and works just as well for 95% of use cases.
Wait, also — common mistakes people make that make install harder: not measuring their doorways before ordering. I can’t tell you how many times someone orders a 5ft wide sauna, and their front door is only 28 inches wide. Oops. That leads to cutting a hole in the wall, which is a nightmare. Or not checking their outlet type — if their only outlet near the desired spot is 240V, and they ordered a 120V sauna, that’s another hassle. That’s why our team always sends a pre-install checklist when you order — it’s 3 quick questions: door width, outlet type, space size. We even help you pick the right size unit for your space, so you don’t mess that up.
Let’s also talk about time, because that’s a big part of “difficulty”. A pre-built 2-person infrared sauna for indoors? Installation time is 1-2 hours, max. Unbox, move, plug in, gap the door. That’s it. We’ve had customers finish in 45 minutes, start their first sauna session, and text us a pic. If you’re not handy? That’s fine — we have local handymen we work with who charge like $80 to install, which is way cheaper than most home repairs. Way better than hiring an electrician for a steam sauna, which can be $300+ just to run a line.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: what about maintenance after install? Wait, the question is about installation, but people confuse install difficulty with upkeep. Once it’s installed, infrared saunas are super low-maintenance — you just wipe them down with a microfiber cloth after use, no chemicals, no descaling, nothing. That’s another plus that makes the whole process worth it, and it’s tied to the simplicity of the install (no plumbing, so no parts to clog or break).
Wait, should I mention a specific example? Let’s say a customer named Mia — she’s a 30-year-old teacher in Chicago, rented a 2-bed apartment, wanted an infrared sauna for post-yoga recovery. She ordered our 2-person portable cabin sauna. Her hallway door was 32 inches, the unit was 40 inches, so she just took off the door to move it in (it’s a standard interior door, easy to remove for a minute). She plugged it into her bedroom outlet, left a ¼ inch gap around the door, and was done in an hour. She texted me later like “I was expecting to have to pay someone to do this, but I just watched a 10-minute YouTube tutorial and did it myself.” That’s the real story, not the stuff you see on those “sauna installation horror” blog posts.
Now, let’s wrap this up so it’s helpful, not just a sales pitch. Is it difficult to install an infrared sauna? For 90% of home users — no, not really. It’s a fraction of the work of a steam sauna, most of the time it’s a DIY job that takes an hour, and the only “hassle” is avoiding the small mistakes (wrong size, wrong outlet) that are easy to fix if you do your research. The only times it’s difficult are if you’re going custom, buying a cheap no-name unit, or trying to fit a giant sauna in a tiny space without planning.
If you’re ready to stop guessing and figure out what works for your space, we can help. No pushy sales, just honest advice on sizing, type, and even local install help if you need it. Reach out to our team to chat through your space, outlet options, and any questions you have about making the install as smooth as possible.
Hybrid Sauna References:
- International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Infrared sauna therapy: A review of health benefits, safety, and practical considerations. 2021.
- North American Association of Electrical Contractors. Residential electrical load requirements for home heating and wellness devices. 2022.
- Consumer Reports. Home wellness device installation guide: Infrared vs. steam sauna ease of setup. 2023.
- American Society of Home Inspectors. Common installation mistakes for residential infrared saunas and how to avoid them. 2022.
- Journal of Thermal Biology. Thermal dynamics of infrared sauna heating systems and impact on home electrical systems. 2021.
Guangzhou Denor Swimming Pool Equipment Co., Ltd.
As one of the most professional infrared sauna manufacturers and suppliers in China, we also support customized service. Please feel free to wholesale high quality infrared sauna at competitive price from our factory. For more information, contact us now.
Address: No. 24 Cendong Road, Xinya Street, Huadu District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province,China
E-mail: emily@saunaroom.net
WebSite: https://www.denor-saunaroom.com/
