Almost Heaven Saunas Bridgeport Operating instructions

Bridgeport |Braxton
Sauna Installation &
Owner’s Manual

Read this entire manual through to the end before proceeding with the assembly.
Bridgeport |Braxton Installation & Owner’s Manual
Note: While there are cosmetic and feature dierences between the Bridgeport and theBraxton, the models
assemble the same except where noted.
Thank you for your purchase of your Bridgeport |Braxton 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.
Your Bridgeport |Braxton Indoor Sauna is specically designed to utilize your existing oor. As such,
assembly is made very simple since the entire sauna sits on pre-fabricated rails and risers rather than on
oor platform. Your sauna can be assembled on any surface that is rm and at, including concrete, ceramic,
vinyl, laminate or tile. Installation on a carpeted surface is not recommended.If you prefer a wood oor
inside your sauna, please visit our website atalmostheaven.comto investigate our red cedar oor kits!
Your Bridgeport | Braxton kit should include the following:
BRIDGEPORT | BRAXTON SAUNA INSTALLATION MANUAL
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These tools are required to assemble your Bridgeport | Braxton sauna:
cCordless drill
cTape measurer
cRubber mallet
cHammer
c1/2” or 5/8” Forstner Bit
cUtility Knife
cScrewdriver (Phillips and Flathead)
cLevel
cStep stool or ladder
cFraming square
c4 oor risers
c 4 Wall Support Rails
c 4 Roof Support Rails
c 3 Roof Sections
c Wall Section A
c Wall Section B
c Wall Section C
c Wall Section D
c Wall Section E
c Wall Section F
c Window Section G
c Door Section H
c Window Section I
c Wall Section J
c Upper Bench
c Extra Upper Bench Support
c Lower Long Bench
c Lower Long Bench Vertical Support
c Lower Side Bench
c 3 Lower Side Bench Supports
c Long Backrest w/LED light
c Short Backrest
c LED Power Supply
c Doorknob Assembly
c Bucket and Ladle
c Heater
c Stones
c Thermometer/Hydrometer
c Wall Sensor Cover
c Hardware Bag containing
2” screws, 2.5”Bench Screws, and Trim nails
c Heater Fence Kit

Step 1. Connect the 4 Floor Risers
Fasten the 4 oor risers together using the pre-drilled holes as a guide, being sure the 2 shorter boards are located on the sides and the 2
longer boards are on the front and back. Use a framing square to ensure the assembly is square. (Images 1-5)
Step 2. Position Wall Support Rails
Align each wall support so that the angled cuts make a corner (Images 6 & 7) , placing the shorter supports on the sides and the longer
supports on the front and back. Each wall support has a predrilled hole. Fasten the front, back, and sides together (Images 8 & 9) and lay
the assembly squarely on top of the oor risers with the groove facing up (Image 10). The rails should overlap both sides of the riser by
approximately 1”(Image 11). Secure the assembly to the oor risers using 3 screws evenly spaced on each wall support rail (Images 12 & 13).
Step 3. Position wall sections A & B
Position wall section A in the groove of the left rail and push it ush against the back rail (Images 14 & 15). Having a helper hold wall section A,
orient wall section B so that the vent holes are on top and place it in the groove of the back rail (Image 16). Push the at edge ush against wall
section A. Align the 2 panels so they are ush and fasten them together using the 2”screws (Images 17 & 18).
Image 1 Image 2 Image 3 Image 4 Image 5
Image 6 Image 7 Image 8 Image 9
Image 10 Image 11 Image 12 Image 13
Image 14 Image 15 Image 16 Image 17 Image 18
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Step 4. Position Wall Sections C, D, & E
Position wall section C into the groove of the back rail. Attach it to wall section B by way of the tongue and groove t (Images 19 & 20). Secure it
by tapping it into place with a rubber mallet. Repeat this step for wall section D, again tapping it into place with a rubber mallet (Images 21 & 22).
Position wall section E into the groove to the right side rail and push ush against the back rail (Image 23). Being sure panels D & E are ush with
each other, fasten them together using the 2”screws (Images 24 & 25).
Step 5. Bench and LED Backrest Installation
Note: You may choose to install all the benches and backrests after the sauna is completed, but you may nd it easier to install with the extra
space and light aorded at this step.
Place the wider upper bench on the pre-installed upper bench supports and push ush against he back wall, being sure the side of the bench
with the screws showing is oriented towards the back (Images 26 & 27). Secure the bench to the back and side panels using 2.5” bench screws
and the pre-drilled holes in the bench frame supports (Images 28 & 29).
Repeat this process for the lower long bench, aligning the face of the bench frame ush with the front edge of the pre-installed lower bench
supports. Fasten the lower bench to the side walls using 2.5”screws (Images 30 – 33).
Image 19 Image 20 Image 21
Image 26 Image 27 Image 28 Image 29 Image 30
Image 31 Image 32 Image 33
Image 22 Image 23 Image 24 Image 25
Orient to
back
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Step 5. Bench and LED Backrest Installation continued
Center the LED Backrest between the two sides being sure it’s oriented so the shorter slat is down and position it vertically at a height most comfortable
for you (typically 8-12”from the bench). Using a level to ensure proper installation, fasten the backrest into place using the 2”screws. (Images 34 & 35)
To connect the LED light to the power source, bore a 5/8”hole through the back of the panel at the bottom right corner of the backrest and push the LED pigtail
through (Images 36 & 37). Now mount the power supply to the back of the sauna at the base of panel D, underneath the hole you just bored (Image 38). Connect
the power supply and LED pigtail (Image 39), and plug in the supply to an outlet. You are able to turn on the LED light and adjust its brightness from within the
sauna using the control mounted to the side of the backrest (Image 40).
Note: The lower side bench will be installed once the rest of the sauna is nished.
Step 6. Position Wall Sections F & Window Section G
Position Wall Section F into the groove of the side rail orienting it so that the heater vent holes are located at the bottom. Slide wall section F into
place with section E (Image 41). Section F connects to section E via tongue and groove so there is no need to use screws. Use a rubber mallet to
secure the t (Image 42). Place window section G in the groove on the front rail (Image 43) and push the at end against wall section F. Being
sure the two sections are ush, fasten them together using 2”screws through the pre-drilled holes (Image 44).
Image 38 Image 39
Image 34 Image 35 Image 36 Image 37
Image 40
Image 41 Image 42 Image 43 Image 44
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Image 55 Image 56 Image 57
Image 45 Image 46 Image 47
Image 48 Image 49 Image 50
Step 7. Position Door Section H, Window Section I, and Wall Section J
Place door section H onto the front rail orienting it so that the door opens according to your preference (Image 45). Snip the securing rope
(Image 46). Door section H connects to window section G via tongue and groove so there is no need for screws. Gently tap it into place with a
rubber mallet to secure the t (Image 47). Now place window section I into the groove of the front rail and connect it to door section H via the
tongue and groove t (Image 48). Gently tap into place with a rubber mallet to secure the t. Finally, place wall section J onto the side rail (Image
49), connecting it to wall section A via the tongue and groove t. Tap into place with a rubber mallet. Now, making sure section J and section I
are ush with each other, secure them together with the 2”screws and predrilled holes (Image 50).
Step 8. Position Side Bench and Lower Vertical Bench Support
Locate the 3 pre-cut side-bench supports. Rest 2 of them on the rail behind window section I and secure them in place using two 2”screws
each (Images 51 & 52). Rest the remaining support on the rail just in front of the lower bench support and secure with two 2”screws (Image 53).
Locate the side bench and place it on the 3 supports, orienting it so that the slats are continuous with the slats of the lower long bench (Image
54). Secure the bench with 2.5”screws to both wall section J as well as the lower long bench (Image 55).
Locate the predrilled holes in between the slats near where the side bench joins the lower long bench. Using 2.5”screws, fasten the 2x6 vertical
support underneath the lower long bench to provide extra support (Images 56 & 57).
Note: If you purchased the oor kit for your sauna, this vertical support will have to be cut down about 1 3/8”.
Using a level, secure the lower backrest to wall section J with 2” screws at the same height above the lower side bench as the LED backrest above
the upper long bench.
Image 51 Image 52 Image 53 Image 54
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Image 58 Image 59 Image 60 Image 61
Image 62 Image 63 Image 64 Image 65
Step 9. Assemble and Position Roof Support Rails
Align each roof support rail so the angled cuts join together to make a 90 degree angle (Image 58), placing the shorter supports on the sides
and the longer supports on the front and back. Fasten them together using 2”screws through the pre-drilled holes (Image 59). Use a framing
square to ensure the assembly is square.
Place the assembly on top of the wall sections so that the wall sections t snugly into the groove (Image 60). When in place, secure to the
assembly to the walls using four 2”screws on each rail (Image 61).
Step 10. Position Roof Sections
Place the roof panels on top of the ceiling supports being sure the predrilled holes are facing up. (Image 62) Connect the sections via the
tongue and groove t (Image 63). Measure around the roof support rails to ensure there is equal spacing around the top of the sauna;
approximately 1”of the support rails should extend past each side of the roof sections (Image 64). Once evenly spaced secure them into place
with the 2” screws through the predrilled holes (Image 65).
Step 11. Accessories
1. Install the vent hole cover using the provided screw and washer (Images 66 & 67)
2. Hang the thermometer/hydrometer on the opposite wall of the heater 12-15 inches below the ceiling (Image 68)
3. Unwrap bucket and ladle and set in sauna (Image 69).
4. Install doorknob – note dierence between the Bridgeport & Braxton.
a. Bridgeport (Image 70)
b. Braxton (Image 71 & 72)
Image 66 Image 67 Image 68
Image 69 Image 70 Image 71 Image 72
Facing up
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®
Note: An additional upper bench support has been provided if extra support is desired. Simply fasten the bench support to the face to the upper
bench using the predrilled holes.
After the sauna has been installed, sweep down the inside to remove any sawdust and wood shavings, and then vacuum completely. Using
a damp cloth with warm water, wipe down the entire sauna including the benches to remove any remaining dirt, dust and debris.
Step 11. Heater Installation
Please consult your heater manual for all heater installation information. All electrical connections must be done by a qualied licensed
electrician.
TRADITIONAL SAUNA USE
Congratulations! You are ready to enjoy your sauna! You may use your sauna in a wet or dry fashion. A dry sauna means you do not sprinkle any
water onto the stones, while wet means you increase the humidity of the room by sprinkling water on the stones. Please note that not much
water is needed to achieve a wet sauna experience.
The sauna as we know it originates in Finland. The typical sauna experience follows the steps below, but you may enjoy your sauna in any way
you like!
• Setyourheatersoyoursaunaachievesthedesiredtemperature.Thisistypically150-170+degreesF.Pleasenote,novicesaunausersshould
begin at the lower end of that range and increase their high temperature over time.
• Takeaquickshoweroraquickdipinahottuborpool.
• Step into the sauna and enjoy for 5-15 minutes, bringing a towel to sit or lay on. Leave the sauna once you are perspiring freely.
• Takeaplungeinapool,shower,snowbank,lake-anythingthatwillcoolyoudown!Afterthat,relaxandcooldownfor10-20minutes.
• Stepintothesaunaagain.Duringthisvisit,youmaywishtosprinklesmallamountsofwaterontothestonestocreateburstsofsteam.If
water spills through the heater to the oor, you are using too much water, though this will not hurt the heater or the sauna.
• Continuerepeatingthisprocess.Afteryournalvisittoyoursauna,relaxforatleast20minutes.Showerwithwarmwaterinitially,nishing
with cool water to close your skin pores.
• Preparetofeelrefreshedforthedayortohaveanamazingnight’ssleep!
Whatever your sauna routine, it is imperative that you STAY HYDRATED!
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