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On a cold winter day, the perfect getaway is an outdoor sauna.  Some of the best-built prefabricated structures are produced by sauna manufacturers, who have been building them for decades.

Unlike steam rooms, saunas capture dry heat from a variety of sources, the most common being electric. Some heat sources allow you to pour water over the coals, thereby controlling the humidity to some degree.

Sauna exteriors are most commonly clad in cedar, or the more expensive and lush mahogany species.  Both of them offer great resistance to rot and insect damage.

The best material to use inside a sauna is “clear heart” redwood.  Clear heart derives its name from where the lumber is extracted from the log.  Redwood is a relatively soft lumber and it’s extremely rot resistant. It also has a tendency to stay uniformly straight and is resistant to expansion and contraction due to heat changes – very important for saunas, whose temperatures can vary as much as 180 degrees within a 24 hour period.  Redwood emits a very pleasant odor and its color adds warmth and a feeling of well-being to the sauna interior.

One of the best examples of finely crafted greenhouses is made by Gabriel Ash in the U.K. Each little pavilion is a work of art, finely crafted of the best materials, with an attention to detail. They make a variety of greenhouses and glass houses. Their website is worth a visit if for nothing else than inspiration.

Cedar Glass House

One of the coolest “gazebo style” structures I’ve seen in my travels is Spirit Elements’ Solarium Cedar Glass House. It’s a a shippable unit that can also be somewhat customized. The round shape of a gazebo creates a dramatic, almost magnetic focal point. What’s nice about these units is that – unlike typical gazebos – they can be fully enclosed, thereby creating opportunities for a variety of uses. They’d be a delightful extension to anyone’s landscape.

Canadian manufacturer Cedarshed makes an interesting 12’ x 12’ all-cedar greenhouse which can be adapted for a variety of uses. Shown here is an adaptation for an artist’s studio. Translucent roofing panels provide abundant diffuse light, and door openings on either end provide for flow-through ventilation. The company’s products are modular and shippable. The model shown is ideal as a work or hobby space in moderate climates, or for seasonal use in less temperate ones.

This nicely sited spa enclosure is available through Summerwood of Toronto, supplier of a variety of shippable backyard buildings. Sliding doors get out of the way for an open feeling – but when weather is less cooperative, the enclosure provides protection. Large windows on three other sides provide for light and an open feeling. The palladian windows at the top are a pleasant decorative touch. The deck and pavilion are nicely integrated along with outdoor bench seating. For pricing and other information, contact summerwood.com.