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Good evening team!
I have purchased an outdoor barrel sauna (assembling that thing is going to be a post in itself!) and I need to build a deck to support it.
Some basic information:
1. Sauna weighs 400kg without humans in it.
2. Is 191cm wide and 224cm long/deep.
3. I would like to match this with the current decking in place which is an engineered wood.
4. The deck would kinda be nudging an easement, so perhaps floating is needed?
The Area
This is the garden bed up against the fence. It used to have this weird lean to structure that housed a bunch of shade plants. You can see the bed sits a little above the current deck, and I'm happy for the proposed deck to sit a 'step up' above the current deck. Note, I will be relocating that hose/tap currently in place.
The Current Decking Material
Would be ideal to match to the current decking material.
The Space and The Sauna
Here are the dimensions of the garden bed, with the sauna overlayed (blue). For aesthetics, I would prefer to have the sauna in the center of this space, so I'm guessing the deck will need to jut out a little and sit on top/hang over the current deck. The proposed deck doesn't have to take up this entire area, but I think some space either side of the sauna would be great to place some potted plants, and an outdoor shower. Size would be also dictated by whatever I can build in Victoria without a permit.
Any advice on design, materials, considerations/options would be amazing.
Thanks
Rod
Solved! See most helpful response
Hey Mitchell and Eric,
Well its been a weekend of digging out a massive amount of soil to level the area! Love the ideas above. Whilst I would love to do a concrete slab, I do plan on moving the sauna in the longer term, say 3-5 years when we complete further landscaping in our backyard (still have pool dreams!). Great idea on string line, I will get this measured up and post some photos of what we are working with.
For building a compacted base, with framework, do you have any guides or instructions to complete? For example:
- depth of framework
- recommended timber to build framework
- how much roadbase to use, and to what depth
- do you need to use sand
- must do tips and advice to limit any settling
Also super noob question @MitchellMc, what do you recommend for the timber to reinforce the fence? Where to connect the timber slab?
Cheers
Rod
Hi Rod (@RMac),
I've had a read through the installation instructions to see if there is any specific requirement for the compacted base. All I could find was "Ensure the foundation is level and can withstand the weight of the barrel sauna without subsiding.". Since there are no specific requirements and some suppliers suggest that you don't need a compacted base at all, then I'd suggest constructing a base with good drainage that isn't overly deep.
The following should assist:
If you start to undermine the fence, you can affix a treated pine sleeper between the two upright posts with Climacoat Bugle Screws. This additional sleeper would be placed directly below the current one.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
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