Are Sauna Roof Shingles Necessary for a Sauna?

Alphasauna is a sauna manufacturer with many years of manufacturing experience. Our saunas are sold all over the world. For outdoor saunas, we will equip them with sauna roof shingles (with waterproof membrane) or aluminum sheets. Saunas with sauna roof shingles or aluminum sheets can better prevent water accumulation on the top.

The Role of Sauna Roof Shingles

In order to make the sauna room able to cope with rain and snow outdoors, the roof of the outdoor sauna room is usually paved with sauna roof shingles and a waterproof membrane, which can effectively prevent water accumulation on the top and rain and snow leakage.

Prevent Leakage and Extend the Life of the Sauna

Outdoor saunas are exposed to the natural environment for a long time, especially in the rainy and snowy season, which is extremely inconvenient for users. At the same time, because saunas are made of wood, they are easily damaged by rain and snow. Rain and snow piled on the roof for a long time will cause the wood to mold and rot, so sauna roof shingles need to be laid on the roof. Sauna roof shingles with waterproof membrane have excellent waterproof properties, which can effectively solve the problem of wood rot caused by leakage in the sauna room, so as to extend the service life of the sauna room.

Avoid Water Accumulate Damage to the Top Structure

Some sauna room roofs with flat or low-slope designs are not conducive to drainage and easily lead to water accumulation on the top. In addition, sauna rooms are made of wooden boards, and there will be gaps at the joints. These gaps are not completely sealed, and water seepage will occur when used outdoors, especially on rainy days. Sauna roof shingles are installed in layers with waterproof membranes, and the sauna room has a certain slope. Its unique texture structure can quickly drain rainwater and melted snow from the sauna room, relieving the pressure on the roof.

Improve the Aesthetics of Your Sauna

Rain and snow accumulate on the top of the sauna room, affecting the user’s perception and there is a risk of falling at any time. Laying sauna roof shingles not only prevents rain and snow from accumulating, but also improves the appearance of the sauna room and makes it better integrated into nature.

Are Sauna Roof Shingles a Must for an Outdoor Sauna?

Not all outdoor saunas must be paved with sauna roof shingles. At the same time, waterproof membranes such as aluminum sheets can also be installed. According to customer needs, especially for some saunas with insufficient roof slope and inconvenient drainage, alphasauna manufacturers usually provide customers with two options: Sauna roof shingles (with waterproof membrane) or aluminum sheets.

Waterproofing Requirements for Different Roof Designs

For barrel saunas or olive saunas, the roof is designed with an arc, which makes drainage easier, but in severe rainy and snowy weather, it May also cause accumulation on the top of the sauna. You can choose your favorite waterproof material according to customer needs, which can provide effective protection.
For square saunas, which have a variety of top designs, especially saunas with a single sloping roof or a hut-shaped sauna, we recommend that customers lay sauna roof shingles with waterproof membranes to make the sauna more beautiful and its waterproof performance is also excellent.

Choose Whether to Install According to the Climate Environment and Frequency of Use

If the area where the sauna is placed is rainy and snowy all year round, or the sauna is frequently used, it is necessary to lay sauna roof shingles with waterproof membranes to effectively prevent water seepage and accumulation in the sauna. For areas that are not often used or in dry climates, you can choose whether to install sauna roof shingles based on the climate and frequency of use. Generally, it is recommended to install sauna roof shingles with waterproof membranes outdoors to maintain the sauna and extend its service life.

©Photo by inhauscreative

Aluminum Sheets Vs Sauna Roof Shingles

In addition to laying sauna roof shingles, you can also install aluminum sheets on the sauna roof.

Durability and Waterproofing

Aluminum sheets are hard and corrosion-resistant, and can effectively block bad weather with heavy rain and snow. Aluminum sheets that are well maintained can be used for a long time and are not easily affected by the climate and environment.

Sauna roof shingles are laid in overlapping layers, and have good sealing performance. They can also block wind and snow in bad weather. They are soft in texture and May be damaged after long-term use. Damaged sauna roof shingles need to be regularly inspected and maintained.

Cost

Aluminum sheets are made of metal, and the material cost is relatively high, but their installation is relatively simple, and they are usually installed in one piece, with low labor costs.

Sauna roof shingles are cheaper, but they need to be installed piece by piece, and the labor cost of installation is high.

Maintenance

The aluminum sheet is installed on the sauna room roof in one piece. After regular maintenance, the aluminum sheet will hardly be damaged under normal use, and the maintenance cost is low. If the aluminum sheet is found to be scratched or loose during maintenance inspection, the entire aluminum sheet needs to be replaced, and the replacement and repair costs are high.

For damaged sauna roof shingles, a single piece of sauna roof shingles can be replaced, and the price of sauna roof shingles is relatively cheap. From the perspective of cost control and later maintenance, sauna roof shingles are the most affordable.

Visual Experience

The appearance of aluminum sheets is industrial style, visually cold and hard, and it is not easy to integrate with sauna rooms.

Sauna roof shingles have a variety of colors and textures, which can better integrate with wood naturally. After installation, sauna roof shingles have a sense of layering and beautiful visual appearance, giving customers a good experience.

In What Situations Is It Recommended to Install Sauna Roof Shingles?

In an outdoor environment, sauna rooms are exposed to natural conditions such as wind, rain, sun, and snow all year round. The roof is the part most prone to water seepage. If the waterproofing is not in place, water will seep into the roof structure, which will not only affect the internal user experience, but may also cause wood mold, structural deformation, and even shorten the overall service life.

Flat Roof or Slightly Sloping Roof Design

This type of sauna room with a flat or slightly sloping roof is prone to water accumulation. If waterproof materials are not installed, the wooden structure on the top of the sauna room will become damp and deformed. Therefore, it is preferred to use waterproof materials such as sauna roof shingles.

Exposed to Rain and Snow

If the use environment is located in a rainy and snowy climate, or in high humidity areas such as coastal areas, installing sauna roof shingles with a waterproof membrane can improve the waterproofness of the sauna room, reduce the bearing capacity of the sauna room roof, and reduce the maintenance frequency.

Customers Have Requirements for Durability and Aesthetics of Sauna Rooms

Some customers require durability and aesthetics in their sauna rooms, so installing sauna roof shingles with a waterproof membrane is an ideal choice for both functionality and aesthetics.

How to Install Sauna Roof Shingles?

Before installing sauna roof shingles, you need to prepare a staple gun, a tape measure, waterproof membrane, scissors and sauna roof shingles cut into uniform sizes.

Step1

First, install 2 triangular support bars at half height on both sides of the sauna. Make sure they are parallel to the ground and secure with screws.

Step2

Before installing the sauna roof shingles, lay a layer of waterproof membrane along the triangular support strips to optimize the waterproof performance of the sauna room outdoors.

Step3

The first row of evenly sized sauna roof shingles can be placed upright or upside down according to customer preference, and are installed from left to right along the triangular support strips and secured with staple gun.

Step4

Then, from left to right, fix the position of the second row of sauna roof shingles according to the highest point of the first row of installed sauna roof shingles, with the raised part facing downward and overlapping with the first row, and trim the excess sauna roof shingles with scissors.

Step5

Leave a gap of one tile at the front end of the third row before starting to install sauna roof shingles horizontally, and then install the fourth row from left to right.

Step6

The two sides of the sauna are installed to the top according to this rule, and the top in the middle is then laid with new sauna roof shingles to increase its height and allow water to flow to both sides. If you are using a wood-burning stove to heat your sauna, you will need to cut out space at the top for the chimney.

Conclusion

Installing sauna roof shingles with waterproof membrane is the best way to solve the problem of water seepage in the sauna room to cope with any uncertainties encountered outdoors. At the same time, you can also choose to install aluminum sheets for waterproofing. You can choose or customize according to your needs, and flexibly choose sauna roof shingles, aluminum sheets or other waterproof materials to suit different styles and budgets.

Alphasauna is a company integrating independent research and development, design, production and sales. Products include indoor saunas, outdoor saunas, infrared saunas, cold plunge chillers, wooden hot tubs, sauna accessories, etc. Our products can be customized according to customer requirements to meet customer needs as much as possible. Welcome to contact us alphasauna for more customized solutions.

FAQS

F:Can I Install Sauna Roof Shingles Myself, Or Do I Need a Professional?

A:Of course, but if you install it yourself you need to be careful to ensure the tiles are aligned correctly and the waterproof membrane is effectively covered to prevent leaks and damage, but it is usually recommended to hire a professional technician to install it.

F:Are Aluminum Sheets Better Than Sauna Roof Shingles for Waterproofing?

A: Aluminum sheets provide excellent protection against water but can be more rigid and less aesthetically pleasing than traditional wood shingles. Sauna roof shingles offer a more natural look while still providing waterproofing when combined with a membrane. The choice depends on your aesthetic preferences and specific needs.