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Hi all, we are getting a small wooden sauna (2100x1600) installed shortly outside however the space where we are looking to place it has a slight slope. The builders were just going to place it down on pavers at each corner (I'm assuming straight on the grass) or suggested concrete blobs at each corner and then putting the pavers on top to lift the sauna level. I'm more inclined to put down some weed mat and gravel to allow for better drainage and also to minimise weeds and then possibly the pavers on each corner? But I also have no idea what would be the better option (and also minimal effort as time isn't on our side). Any ideas or suggestions welcome! Pic is of the slope and the 2 wooden pegs are the corners where the sauna will be placed
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @KKB. It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about building a sauna base.
To start, the best place for specific guidance would be the sauna manufacturer. They’ll likely have detailed instructions regarding the preparation of the base, as different sauna models can have varying requirements. Without knowing their specific guidelines, it’s hard to say for sure what the ideal setup is.
That said, in general, saunas do require a flat and compacted base for proper stability and drainage. However, if the installer is planning to place it on blocks (whether pavers or concrete), it sounds like they’re comfortable with that method for your setup. Given the slight slope, your idea of using weed mat and gravel to improve drainage and minimize weeds is a good one. This would help prevent any water pooling and also keep the area neat.
You could certainly go with the gravel and pavers at the corners as a compromise—just make sure the pavers are level and provide solid support. If you're looking for minimal effort, the gravel method with pavers might be the most straightforward option, but do check with the manufacturer to confirm whether this setup would work for your specific sauna model.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
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