Outdoor installation requirements
Foundation, drainage, sun, wind, privacy, lighting, and path planning for outdoor saunas — the more common Ritual installation type.
Outdoor installation is the more common Ritual installation type and the easier of the two to plan.
- Foundation
- Level, stable, and rated for the loaded weight (Sections 4.1 to 4.5).
- Drainage around the foundation
- Slope the surrounding ground away from the sauna to prevent water pooling against the base. The reinforced fiberglass base elevates the sauna off the foundation, but proper drainage extends the service life of the surrounding wood.
- Sun exposure
- The Ritual handles full sun exposure without issue. UV exposure over years can cause untreated wood to weather to a soft silver-grey (this is normal and reversible with sauna-safe wood oil if you want to preserve the original tone).
- Wind exposure
- Standard installations are not anchored to the foundation. In areas with sustained winds above 70 mph (113 km/h), tornadoes, or hurricane risk, anchoring is recommended (see Sections 4.15 to 4.17).
- Privacy
- If your sauna is visible from neighbors or the street, plan privacy fencing or landscaping accordingly. The 8 mm tinted glass provides some visual privacy from outside but is not opaque.
- Lighting around the sauna
- Outdoor lighting near the sauna improves safety on the path to and from the unit, especially for evening sessions. Plan lighting that illuminates the path without creating glare into the sauna.
- Path to the sauna
- A clear, level walking path from the house to the sauna is important for safety. In winter, this path needs ice and snow management.
- Cold plunge or cold shower nearby
- If you plan contrast therapy, leave space adjacent to the sauna for a cold plunge, cold shower, or ice bath.