5 things Sauna Companies HOPE you never learn

And here's a couple things that I want to point out. If you guys are sauna shopping, you see where that tripod is? That's where we were thinking of putting it over here. Except the view would be great looking out because this sauna we want to come. We want to take that into consideration. We're crawling up on these janky old stools trying to get at this control panel. How do you eat an elephant? That's it. [Music] We've got issues that need tissues. All right. So, right here we've got I I think I call this like the dead zone, Frankie. >> Cuz it don't get used. >> It don't get used. It's ugly and it's an eyesore from the windows. When you look down, you try to look over this to look out, >> right? >> So, one of the things I always warn people about is, you know, I I always have people when they're designing a landscape, they want to have this area way off out in the distance and then uh you know, a fire pit and they're think they're going to go visit it and nobody ever uses it. >> Use it the first few times and that's it. >> That's it. So I always say bring everything you want as close as you want but to stop thinking about the design from the point of where you're at but from where you where you will see the design the most from where you spend the most time. Meaning a lot of people create the design if they want a fire pit way out there. They put it out there and then they design it with the thought of them sitting around the fire pit >> but they see it more often from the windows. So, anytime I'm trying to design something, I go into the house and I go, "Where are you going to be looking out the most, >> right? >> It's weigh the amount of time that you're going to be at the feature versus the amount of time that you'll see the feature. It's a completely different mind frame. So, we're going to try to take that into consideration and completely gut this area and start all over again. And I think we're going to break this down into components. We want to create a focal point in this zone that is a reason to be there. Okay. But it also we want it to look good from the windows. So there's two things we're trying to accomplish there. >> Make it look like it was designed for whatever we're going to put here. >> Yes, agreed. And one of the other challenges is the stairs are just jacked at this point. Right >> now, we could reuse these stairs. I could rebuild them. In fact, I have. In fact, just recently, we uh added these two steps on because we put the hot tub in place. But the hot tub kind of threw everything out of whack if you ask me. But now we need to fix up the areas around it because the hot tub, unbeknownst to us, has all of its control panels on this side. Meaning, we're crawling up on these janky old stools trying to get at this control panel and balancing. So, we got to we got to fix this zone. But then from here, we look down into that zone. So, we want it to look good from here. We want it to look good from the windows. And the only reason I'm wash, rinsing, and repeating this to you guys is if you're a contractor and you're going out to a customer's house, you have to educate the customer on these nuances because they will be so much more happy. A co the customer, they don't get it. And maybe some of you guys that haven't been in the business as long don't understand it yet, but you really want to optimize it for the focal points of where you'll see it the most. We've also got some stuff going on up here that we should be addressing later on. So, we want to entirely dress this area up and we're going to take you guys along for the ride. We we'll probably break this down into a number of different videos. Let's go. Let's go take a look at what we got going on up here. Frankie. >> So, this is the deck we've Frankie and I built. How many years ago, Frankie? >> Long time ago. So, the deck definitely needs some love. The area needs some love. I feed my crows right here. So, it looks a little little jacked, but the viewpoint will be from here down the windows down. and from there down. So, we want to address it up so that it looks good from all those three angles. Plus, when we're down there, we want it to also look like it was designed with intent. That's a lot of talking, Frankie. Sea Tree. I'm at Sea Tree Sauna, you guys. I just came up to Grand Rapids, Minnesota. And Sea Tree is actually technically Finnish for cedar. >> Correct. >> And this is Derek. He is one of the craftsmen. So, um Derek, let's go over and take a look at what you got. Uh so, I've waited a about a year, year and a half. >> Okay. >> It's not like you guys are that backorded. I wasn't ready in my space. I didn't have this whole thing lined up. I knew what I wanted and I wanted one of your guys' sauna cuz I seen I met Jeff at a trade show. >> Sure. >> And I walked into one of these and I immediately fell in love. I was like this, if I'm going to have a personal sauna for myself, >> Yeah. >> I want this kind of sauna because it to me it reflects traditional oldw world craftsmanship. >> Sure. >> But it's portable and there's no building code, >> right? >> Let's take a look at >> these guys. These are guys phenomenal guys. But let's take a look at how what we say portable. Derek, will you show me what we're talking about with this thing? >> You want me to spin around? >> Yeah, spin her around. Now, these saunas come with the stands, right? Because I I just want to clear this up. When a person buys one, they don't have to create their own. It's not going to roll all over. You have it set up so that you can get it set right in place. >> So when we deliver >> Mhm. >> we level it. >> Okay. >> And with blocks and get it all level >> and then let the clients do the landscaping around it. >> So you actually most of the time do the delivery and installation yourself. >> Correct. >> That's why I threw them for a loop and I said, "No, I want to deliver them." >> You were like, "Wait, what? I got trailers. I want to I want to do that. I want to do this. I know I'm I'm not really qualified to do this, >> right? >> But I won't get any experience trying this out to to really get a feel for it if I don't just bite the bullet and go for it. >> Give it a shot. >> Give it a shot. Okay. So, now what size is this one, Derek? >> This is a 6x8. >> Okay. >> So, 6t diameter, >> 8 foot long. Now, this one has the porch. Now, this is these are different options. And this one has a square window in the back, >> right? So the interior is a 6 ft sauna with a twoft porch. >> So total length is 8 ft. >> 8t. Now let's take a look. So this is the one that I'm picking up right here. >> Correct. >> So and and so you have metal roof options as well, but now this one is a little bit longer. >> Correct. So you got a 8ft sauna and a twoft porch. So it's 10t total. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And here's a couple things that I want to point out. If you guys are sauna shopping, this one is a little different in a few ways. Okay, we've got the half moon window. So, we've got this gigantic view out of this thing. So, it doesn't feel like you're actually in a cave, >> right? >> And you've got different stove options. This is where it gets to be pretty interesting. Now, um, in this case, we went with the rear mounted stove. And let's show them what we mean. >> Outside fed. >> Outside fed. Yeah. Is that the correct terminology? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, everything gets loaded from the back. And here's something for you guys to consider. If you are in the market for buying a sauna and you feed it from the inside, your ashes fall on the inside. >> Correct. >> Your sparks fall on the inside. >> Everything falls on the inside. And that's okay as long as you're ready for that. But with this, >> I don't have I got I got worry about none of that. >> And also like clients with COPD don't want to have that smoke. >> Yes. >> From the inside fed. So >> yes, >> this is a great option for >> Yep. people that I got to be aware of, you know. >> Now, you've actually taken it into consideration when you actually build these things. Um, will you crack that door for me one more time, Derek? >> When you build these things and pull that pull that floor panel for me, if you don't mind. So, you have a built-in clean out in the saunas, >> correct? >> A removable floor so you can clean. There's drains down there to >> So, you can get your So, you got drainage holes so you can wash it right out. >> Yep. >> And get all of your your your you know, get yourself your floor cleaned back up. Now, also another thing to take into consideration is the finish on the inside of the sonnet. You guys have no finish, >> right? >> So, there's no fumes. >> No chemicals. Yeah. >> No chemicals. No fumes. You're not breathing anything in. >> Yep. >> And also, you have an interesting detail right there. >> Right. These eve boards uh kick out the roof line so the water doesn't drip on the sauna. >> Right. Think about it like this. If this came straight down, your water is going to run right over the sauna and eventually it's going to make it discolored. >> Yeah. >> So now 6x8, 6x6, >> correct? >> And we've got smaller ones. So you don't have to have a big big one. And you got, you know, smaller windows. So we're talking about an economy size >> sauna here. So it doesn't have to break the bank to get into saunas. And these smaller ones, we only offer electric stoves right now. They're smaller and they hang on the wall and there's not much space in there. So, >> okay. So, you have options. You have electric options. >> You have different wood burning options as well. >> Yep. >> And then metal roof as an option. >> Yep. Steel. You can do any color you want. Uh we just got to order it. >> And you don't have to have a porch. If you don't want one, you don't have. And if you're a taller guy, here's one without a porch. So, let's just take a quick look at this side by each porch. No porch. >> And less windows. So, this would be less expensive. >> So, standard. >> Okay. >> Two diamonds are standard. >> That's your That's your normal features. Yep. >> Yep. >> What I What really attracted to me, let's go inside. I want to show these guys the taller one. >> Yeah. >> What really attracted me was just the build quality. When I seen Jeff at the show, I I just I mean like legitimately fell in love with it and I legitimately hounded him cuz I wanted this thing. I wanted to make sure that I had this thing exactly dialed in and he helped me. He helped me figure every detail out from stem to stern >> because I I was a a newbie when it came to actually understanding the intricacies of sus. Now, will you go stand in that one for me real quick, Derek? >> Dererick's about the same size I am. So, if you're a taller guy like my buddy Josh, the Stony Ridge farmer, he could fit in this sauna. >> Yeah. >> You know, a taller guy is going to want the 7footer. And you've got multiple height benches in here as well. So, you sit on the top one, put your feet on the bottom one, or stick the kids on the bottom one. >> There you go. >> Okay. >> So, we do outdoor showers, uh, chairs. >> Oh, we got we got some chairs right here. Let's take a look at these. >> Yeah, we can pull it out here if you want. >> This rocking chairs. >> That is a nice rocking chair. Yeah. >> I didn't plan on buying one of those, but I think I'm going to if I got room on my truck, I'm going to have to. >> I'm here. It's going to finish the look. >> Right. Right. >> It's going to Yeah. Yeah. That is good. That is gorgeous. And outdoor outdoor shower. >> Yeah. If you want to go take a look at that. >> Absolutely. I want to look at this. Okay. So, what's your website while we're walking? How do guys find out more information from you guys? What's the easiest way to contact you or find you? >> Catrib barrels.com. >> citribarrel saunas.com. Correct. >> So, this is an outdoor shower. I apologize. >> Yeah, we just set it up to have a hole down to turn the water on. You'll hook that on a screw. That is so perfect. You can just hook it right up to your garden hose and when you get out of your sauna, shock yourself with the cold water cuz that actually completes the entire process, right? I hope you guys are excited as I am about this cuz I have waited so long for this. This is It just now that I've actually seen my completed one in person. So, I have an infrared one. >> Yeah. >> Right. And um and that's a great sauna. I love that infrared sauna. Absolutely. >> But it's so different than a wood burning sauna. >> It's a different feel. It's a different sensation and it's a different healing capacity as well. >> It's so Yeah. I mean, and it's not like one is better than it's different. >> Peak. Yes. >> Okay. Here's one with a peak. So, >> another option of a little overhang to keep the water off the door and >> you know a little space to >> So, you can pretty much go to your website and dial in exactly what you'd want. >> Yep. We got all the options on there uh check boxes and the price for the upgrade. >> Mhm. >> So, awesome working with these Cat Tree Sauna guys. Phenomenal folks. They build a phenomenal product. They do. Like I said, I fell in love with it the very first time I seen it. All right, let's get on to the next phase of this. All right, guys. Before we load this thing up, I'm going to jump in here because here are five things after doing my research that I realized the sauna industry does not want you to know. Number one, watch out for saunas that have been stained and sealed on the inside because those can release toxic gases. So once you climb into that thing and start heating it up, you can start breathing in all of those fumes. Number two, watch out for cheap heaters. They're the engine of the sauna, and a cheap heater can absolutely ruin your experience. You want to make sure that the heater you're getting is appropriately sized for that sauna, but is also completely sealed. The last thing you want to do is crawl into this little tiny hot box and then have this leaky stove billowing with fumes all over on the inside of the sauna. You've got to have a really good heater so that you can have a really good sauna experience. Number three, the choice of wood that the sauna is made out of is absolutely critical. You want a sauna wood choice. Good sauna choices are cedar, aspen, hemlock, wood that has been dried and chosen specifically for a sauna. Number four, a wood burner versus electrical. But if you do go with electrical, make sure that you get a really good electrical unit. This is where you can have issues with your insurance company because if you have a sauna fire and the rest of your house goes up along with the sauna and they trace it to that sauna, it may not be covered. You've got to be very careful to make sure that you understand whether your insurance is going to cover it and whether that sauna, if you're going with an electrical heater, is up to snuff and up to code and it's going to provide a safe environment for you guys. Remember, you're adding electricity and water in the sauna. So, you want to make sure that those things don't combine. And last but not least is do you want a traditional sauna or do you want an infrared sauna? Now you heard me earlier say that I have an infrared sauna and I freaking love that infrared sauna. It has absolutely changed my life but there is nothing that compares to a traditional woodf fired sauna. The intensity of crawling into a woodf fired sauna and pouring water on it and having that whoo of steam come up. It hits you so different than anything else. That's all I can say. They're both boxes of heat, but how you feel from those boxes of heat are completely different. They're not going to make you feel the same. So do some research and figure out do you want to go the traditional route or do you want to go with a infrared sauna and I'm not going to tell you one is better than the other. As a user of both I used my traditional sauna last night. I used my infrared sauna today. And I will tell you there are definite clear advantages to each one. And some of those advantages do cross over but not all of them. They are different enough to make it worth figuring out which one is right for you. And just be, please be careful. There's so many ripoff artists and conmen out there. Have the ability to go to where the sauna is. Look at how they make it. Talk to the people like I did today. It goes a long way. These sea tree guys I've talked to for a long time. They are a good group of guys. The guys that built my uh infrared sauna, same thing. Good folks. Just have this conversation and make sure you're comfortable before you pull the trigger. But those are the five main things that you need to understand and address before you pull the trigger on buying a new sauna because you want to make sure that what you're getting is going to make you as happy and healthy as you possibly can for as long as possible. But now, let's get this thing loaded up and get on to the rest of this adventure. >> How's it going, man? >> Good, Ryan. How are you, man? >> Nice to meet you. >> Nice to meet you. >> What are you reviewing today? >> Saunas. >> Saunas. >> Yeah. Actually, I'm designing a I'm designing a landscape around one. >> Okay. Where whereabouts? >> I got that one from uh Grand Rapids. >> Grand Rapids. >> Yeah. >> Cool. >> Yeah. >> Looks nice. >> It's a good unit. I fell in love with it. I found it at a trade show. Fell in love with it. Okay. Super cool. Well, it's nice to meet you. I thought >> Nice meeting you. Hey, thank you for stopping by and saying hi, dude. >> Safe travel. >> Yeah. >> I was sitting in a contractor's office and we were just beginning a massive commercial project. My job was all of the exterior work. His job was to build the building, the infrastructure, the utilities, the pavement, everything. And he had one sign. His office was as ugly as it gets, but he had one sign and it said, "How do you eat an elephant?" And I'm sitting in this office thinking, "This is the weirdest flipping thing ever." He has zero decorations in his office. Nothing to show his personality, but a black and white sign that says, "How do you eat an elephant?" That's it. And it was one bite at a time. And when you slow down and you think that summed up his entire existence, because if you got to build like something 50 times the size of this house and all of the infrastructure to go with it, you have to break it down into its simplest components. Now, we have the sauna is there because this is how this is going to tie in. The sauna is here. We're good. But now, even on little jobs, now I consider this to be kind of a little job. I don't consider this anything big, nothing fancy, but it has enough details to it that you need to separate them out. So, whenever we do a job out on a customer's site, we always break these things down into its most manageable form. And so, for us, the first thing is not installing the sauna. We needed it here as…