Almost Heaven Saunas Appalachia Operating instructions

Appalachia Sauna
Installation & Owner’s Manual
®
Thank you for your purchase of your Appalachia sauna! Should you have any questions during assembly,
please feel free to call us at 888.355.3050, or email [e-mail].
Regular business hours are 9-5 EST, M-F.

Read this entire manual through to the end before proceeding with the assembly.
APPALACHIA SAUNA INSTALLATION MANUAL
page 1
®
Your Appalachia Sauna was manufactured in Europe and, as a result, includes an instruction manual that is
presented in several languages with all measurements in metric. To simplify things for the American market
we have developed this manual, which is presented in a very simple format using pictures and minimal
descriptions. It is recommended that you read this manual as well as the European manuals in their entirety
before attempting assembly so you understand the sequence of the various steps.
Assembly of the Appalachia Sauna requires a higher level of skill than our other sauna models. The skill level of
a contractor or high-level“handyman”is suggested.
A review of the parts list at the back of the European manual in advance of assembly will be very helpful prior
to assembly.
Please note the following comments and suggestions before you begin:
• Youshouldassembleyoursaunaonarmandlevelsurface.Ifyouassembleonaconcreteslabthenyou
can place the oor stringers directly on the concrete. If you are assembling on a dirt surface – as is shown
in this manual – then you will need to provide additional support below the stringers. The following
instructions will show the stringers placed on treated 2x4’s that are supported by pavers.
• ItisveryimportanttoKEEPTHINGSSQUARE.Besurethestringersandlogsaresquareandcheck
regularly as you work your way up the sauna. It will make things much easier along the way!
• Therearesomeextraparts,soyouwillhaveleftoverpiecesoncecomplete.
• AfewofthecomponentsareprovidedforEuropeaninstallationsandarenotapplicable.Iftheyarenot
shown in this manual then they are not to be used.
• Youmaychoosetouseanailgunorusedierentfastenersthanwhatisprovided,andthatisneasit
may help the process go faster.
• Sincetheunitisbuiltofwoodyoucanmakemodicationsduringoraftertheprocess.Forexample,if
youdonotwanttheporchrailsyoucansimplycutthemo.Additionally,interiortrimpiecescanbe
used as desired.
• Theunitincludesroongshinglesbutnodripedge.Youwillneedtoobtaindripedgeandcanalso
purchasedierentshinglesifyoupreferadierentstyleorcolor.
• YoucanleavetheNordicSprucelumbernaturalorstain/painttheexterior.Itwillweathertoayellowish
tintintheshorttermandovertimewillbleachoutsomewhat,whichisne.Ifyoupreferyourowncolor
thenyoucanstainorpainttheexteriortoyourpreferredcolor.Neverstainorpainttheinsideofthe
sauna room itself.
• Theremaybeslightdesignvariationsfromthepicturesinthemanual.Thesewillbeaestheticonlyandin
nowaywillaectthefunctionorperformanceofthesauna.
Recommended tools are as follows:
cClaw hammer
c 3lbHand-heldsledgehammer
c Handorcircularsaw
cJig saw
cCordless drill
cLevel
cSquare
c25’ tape measure
c Phillipsheadscrewdriver
cRubber mallet
Optional helpful tools
cTable saw
cFinish nail gun
cTorx deck screws

1. Locate the eight foundation stringers (AR1). You can set these directly on
a concrete slab or, if installing on bare ground, lay them onto treated 2x4 or
2x6 supports, which is what is shown in the picture. Space the stringers equal-
distanceapartsothattheoveralloutsidedimensionis3790mm.Notethatthe
two center stringers will be side-by-side as in the picture. Ensure that the layout
is square by measuring from corner to corner.
2. Find the two short foundation pieces (AR2) and nail them at the front,
betweentheoutsidestringersandasshown.Nextndthetwologsthatare
half size (001) and lay them perpendicular to the eight stringers, one at the rear
andthehalf-waypointofthestringers.DONOTSCREWTHESEINTOPLACEYET.
3. Placetwofulllogs(002)andplacethemonthetwoendsofthestructure
so that they rest directly over the outside foundation stringers and notch into
the two half logs. Verify that everything is square.
4. Locateoneofthescrapdriverpiecesandensureatighttofthenotched
logs by hitting with a 3-lb hammer.
5. Screw the two half logs to the stringers using the included 70mm screws
or2-3/4”deckscrews.Placeyourscrewbetweenthegroovesinthelogand
drive ush with the surface so that the next log will nest correctly. Double-
check square and then attach two full logs to twohalf logs with screws.
APPALACHIA ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
APPALACHIA SAUNA INSTALLATION MANUAL
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6. Placeshorterlogs(023)and(010)inplacethatwillbethestartofthe
center wall between sauna room and changing room. Screw into place.
7. Placelogs(009)and(010)onthefrontofthesaunawhichframethe
exterior door to the changing room.
8. Placetwohalf-logs(012)attheleftandrightfrontofthesaunaandscrew
directly to the short foundation piece referenced in step 2.
9. Placeshortlogs(015)toformthefrontwallofthetwoporchwalls.
10. Alternate long logs (017) with sauna and changing room side wall logs
(009) to form the side walls of the sauna and the front porch. Continue to work
your way up all walls until you have completed six rows of the two side walls.
Row seven will use two side logs (019) that are at (no grooves) on the porch
ends of the log.
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11. At this stage insert the all-wood interior door between the sauna room and
changing room. The doors should slide into place without being forced and
will swing open into the changing room. Tap the door at the top to be sure it is
sitting directly on the bottom log. Do not fasten the door with screws or nails;
it is designed to sit in place with no further fastening.
12. Insert the entrance door with window in the same way as the interior door.
It should slide into place in the same way as the interior door and will swing
open to the outside porch. Do not fasten the door with screws or nails.
13. Conrmthatthedoorsarelevelbothverticallyandhorizontally.
14. At this point all walls, doors, and rails should be square, level and secure.
Anyminoradjustmentscanbemadewithwoodshims.NOTE:Bowedlogscan
be straightened with the included straightening tool.
15. Continue to work your way up with the appropriate logs. After the tenth
log is placed on the front of the sauna, begin using logs (010) and (011) to
frame the window.
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16. Insert the window after several rows are laid ensuring the window will
swing to the outside. Do not screw or nail the window into place.
17. At this time, it is suggested you install the door and window hardware.
Placethedoorlatchsothatthelockistotheexteriorofthesauna.
18. Placethehandlesonthedoorlatchandverifythedoorclosesandlocks
securely.
19. Install the interior door knobs.
20. Continue to position logs so that the window and doors are framed with
the logs. At row 16 on the two sides, use the longer logs (020) to begin the
cantilever extension that will support the roof. (Review steps 20-26 before
continuing to see how the cantilever extension logs alternate with the logs
located on the front and rear walls).
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21. The cantilever extension logs will be used only at the two side walls for
now, not at the center.
22. Placecantileverlogs(021)andthentopcantileverlogs(022)and(026)on
thetwosidewallstocompletethecantileverextensionsonthesidewalls.Note
that (022) is tapered at the top for the right side wall and (026) is tapered for the
leftsidewall.NOTE:Donotscrewthecantileverlogstothealllogsyet.Thiswill
be addressed in step 33.
23. Whileworkingyourwayupwiththeextensionlogs,locatethesections
(W1-1)and(W2-1)whicharetheangledportionsofthefrontandrearwalls.
24. Disconnecttheindividuallogsthatform(W1-1)and(W2-1).
25. Alternatethefrontandrearwallindividualpiecesfrom(W1-1)and(W2-1)
with the center wall logs as you work your way up.
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(022) and (026) logs are tapered

26. Insertmid-pointcantileverlogs(PR1)inthenotchesof(W1-1)and(W2-1)
as you work your way up the front and back wall.
27. View of front showing progress to this point.
28. At row 21 on the center wall, place cantilever log (020) and add (021) and
(024) as shown as you work your way up. (Review steps 28-32 before continuing
to see how the cantilever extension logs alternate with the logs located on the
front and walls.)
29. View of front showing progress to this point.
30. Furtherdisassemble(W1-1)and(W2-1)toseparatepeaklogsectionsfor
front and rear walls.
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31. Continue working your way up the front and rear walls with the angled
piecesfrom(W1-1)and(W2-1),alternatingwithcenterwallcantileverlogs.
32. Complete the center cantilever by adding the narrow cantilever log (025)
to the center wall and on top of cantilever log (024). You will now be ready to
begin the roof installation process.
33. Findtworoofboards(RB2-1)andpositionthemtothefrontedgeofthe
cantileverlogs.NOTE:placethe“groove”edgefacingoutandushwiththe
edgeofthecantileverlogs.Nailthemtothepeakandfurthestleftandright
cantileverlogs.Beforenailingthetworoofboardstotheremainingcantilever
logs, ensure they will touch the cantilever logs without bowing. If there is a
gap between the roof board and cantilever log, either shim the cantilever log
or gently tap the cantilever log to remove the gap and then screw into the log
walls. This is important as you do not want the roof to appear“bowed” when
complete.
34. Oncethecantileverlogsareproperlypositionedandxedtothewalllogs,
begin laying out the roof boards.
35. Tap each roof board into place with a mallet prior to nailing into the
cantilever logs.
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36. Thenaltworearroofboardswillneedtobecutlength-wise(ripped)so
thattheyareushwiththerearedgeofthecantileverlogs.(Useofatablesaw
iseasiest,butyoucanalsocutwithacircularsawoncethenalboardisinstalled
using a chalk line to mark the edge of the cantilever log.)
37. Front view of sauna once roof is completed.
38. Find the left and right roof edge reinforcement boards (RE2-1) and install at
edge of roof lines with nails or screws. Cut to length as needed.
39. Find the left and right eave edging boards (EaE5-1) and nail to the roof edge
reinforcement boards as shown. Cut to length as needed.
40. Placethefaciaboards(FaB7-1)ontheroofedgeandsecuretotheendsof
the cantilever logs and roof board.
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41. View of sauna after facia boards attached.
42. Installtheporch(terrace)boards(TB1-1)startingatthefrontandworking
yourwaybacktowardthesauna.Placethenarrowporchboard(TB1-2)atthe
frontandbetweenthefrontporchrails.Nailtheporchboardstothefoundation
stringers.NOTE:Iftheporchboardsdonotreachfarenoughtocovertheleft
and right stringers, you can nail a support piece into the stringers and nail into it.
43. View of completed porch.
44. Findthechangingroomoorboards(RB2-1)andnailtheminplacetothe
stringers.Useamallettotapthesetongueandgrooveboardsintoplace.The
nalboardmayhavetoberippedonatablesawtoprovidethecorrectt.Trim
will be used later to cover the edge, so a small gap is ok. Also, if the oor boards
don’treachtothefoundationstringersyoucancreateandinstallallerpiece
using purchased lumber.
45. Installtheoorboardsinthesaunaroom(FB5-1)bynailingtothestringers.
NOTE:Leavea1/16”+/-gapbetweentheoorboardsinthesaunaroomto
allow the room to draw fresh air and to let any water ow out of the oor.
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46. The sauna room and changing roof will have a ceiling below the roof to
create an air space. Find four ceiling supports that extend the length of the two
roomsandhaveataperonthem.Nailtothesideandcenterwallsineachroom,
positioning so that the ceiling boards will nail to these as well as the cantilever
logs on the inside of the rooms.
47. Installthetongueandgrooveceilingboards(CB1-1)totheceilingsupports
andcantileverlogs.Youmayhavetoripthenalboardsonatablesawforbest
t.Itisoktoleaveasmallgapatthewallsincetrimwillbeusedtocoverthe
edges.
48. Install ceiling strips (CeS1-1) at the point where the ceiling boards meet the
interior walls. You may choose to only use the trim on the side and center walls
rather than the front and back walls of the sauna. The purpose of the trim is only
to cover the gap for aesthetic purposes.
49. Installtheoortrim(FIB2-1)aroundeachroomatthepointwheretheoor
meetsthewalls.Cutthetrimtotasneeded.
50. Inthesaunaroom,installtheupperbenchsupports(SP2)780mmabovethe
oorsotheendbuttsagainstthesidewall.Installthelowerbenchsupport(SP3)
330mm above the oor so the end of the boards allign with the front edge of the
upper bench support.
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Tapered ceiling support
Ceiling strip

51. Screw the bench supports into front and rear room walls with 70mm screws
ensuring the supports are level.
52. Install the top and lower benches, securing to the walls with 70mm screws.
53. View of installed benches.
54. View of completed sauna room.
Yoursaunaisnowreadyforroong.Thesaunaincludesshinglesbutdoesnotincludedripedge.Purchasethe
appropriatecoloreddripedgeatyourlocalhomecenteraswellasshinglesifyoudesireadierentcolorthanthe
includedblackshingles.NOTE:Ifusingawood-burningstoveyoushouldrstinstallthestoveandchimneybefore
roongthesauna.Followtheheaterinstallationinstructionsincludedwithyourheaterfortheappropriateelectricor
wood-burning unit.
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