Almost Heaven Saunas Patterson Operating instructions

Almost Heaven Saunas
THE AUTHENTIC SAUNA EXPERIENCE
®
Patterson Sauna
Installation &
Owner’s Manual

ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS
All electrical wiring must be performed by A QUALIFIED LICENSED ELECTRICIAN. Because of the heat involved in the sauna, it is required that
you use copper wire with 90ºC insulation. Do not use aluminum wire to make the connection. Consult with an electrician so you can determine
the requirements for your particular situation. All wiring must conform to all national, state and local codes and regulations and according to the
instructions provided with the heater.
Be sure the surface where you are placing the sauna is at and level. A concrete, tile, vinyl, laminate or similar surface is suitable; placing the
sauna on carpet is not recommended. It is suggested that you lay out all of the components so that it is easy to identify the pieces once you get
started with assembly.
You will need the following tools to assemble your Patterson Sauna:
Rubber mallet
Hand saw
Hammer
Cordless drill
Stepladder
Level
Square
Tape measure
You will nd the following wood components as well as labeled bags of screws and hardware.
3 – 90° Corner wall posts
2 – 45° Corner wall posts
8 – Wide wall element sections
4 – Narrow wall element sections
1 – Narrow wall element section with edge clips that attach to 45° door corner post
1 – Narrow glass wall section with edge clips that attach to 45° door corner post
1 – Door frame
2 – Long roof support rails
2 – Short roof support rails
3 – Roof element sections (labeled as to which side to put facing up)
2 – Top bench supports (Approximately 23” long)
1 – Lower bench support for long right wall (Approximately 47” long)
1 – Lower bench support for short window wall (Approximately 52” long)
1 – Upper bench
1 – Lower bench
1 – Upper bench support for side bench (Approximately 23” long)
1 – Upper side bench
2 – Upper bench back supports
1 – Lower bench back support
1 – Vent cover
5 – Exterior roof trim
NOTE: It is recommended that two people do the assembly of the sauna.
These instructions explain assembly with the door on the front left corner of the sauna. You can assemble the entire sauna in a reverse layout to
what is shown, which would place the door on the front right corner of the sauna. If you choose to reverse the assembly then be sure to do all
assembly opposite of the directions shown.
Read this entire manual through to the end before proceeding with the assembly.
Almost Heaven Saunas
THE AUTHENTIC SAUNA EXPERIENCE
®

STEP 1 - Locate the (4) bottom rails and
position as shown. Overlap the corner joints
and be sure the rails are square to each other.
Drill a 1/8” pilot hole in the corner joints and
secure rails to each other using a single 5x70
screw in each of 3 corners.
STEP 2 - Locate the wall elements (sections). There
are two sizes. The narrow element sections (N) are
approximately 17” wide and will be used to construct the
short walls that connect to the door. The wide element
sections (W) are approximately 19” wide and will construct
the two long walls.
STEP 3 - Find a wide wall element and position on the left of the rear sauna bottom rail. (On all
wall elements the at edge is the top and the groove that will t over the tongue on the bottom
rails is on the bottom.) With one person holding this wall element have another person position
one of the 90° corner posts and then a narrow wall element section on the rail perpendicular to
the long wall rail. (In other words, you are starting the wall assembly with one wide element on
the rear wall and one short element on the shorter wall, connecting them with a 90° corner post.)
There is one element with a square hole cut into the top portion. Save this element for the far
right position on the rear wall. NOTE: It is helpful to tap the elements to each other, to the corner
piece, and to the bottom rail using a rubber mallet.
Patterson
Almost Heaven Saunas
THE AUTHENTIC SAUNA EXPERIENCE
®
N N N
N N N
45
Wall Element Sections
N=Narrow
W=Wide
P=Post
W W W W
W W W W
90 90
90
45
P
P
PP
P
Wall Element Sections
N=Narrow
W=Wide
P=Post

STEP 4 - Verify that the element
wall sections are square to the rails,
perpendicular to each other, and that the
at top of the wall elements and corner
posts align.
STEP 5 - Using a cordless drill with the appropriately sized bit (included) use 6x20
screws and secure the 90° corner post to the short and wide element.
NOTE: Because the elements utilize both vertical grain and horizontal grain boards,
you will hear a “cracking” sound as you draw the elements tight with the screw. This is
normal and will not result in any splitting of the wood.
STEP 6 - Place the next 3 wide wall element (W)
sections on the rear wall, using the element with the
square opening at the far right of the rear wall. There
will be no screws used in these elements, but be sure
the elements are rmly placed to the bottom rail and
that the at top sections are ush to each other.

STEP 7 - Place another 90° corner
post to the end element and secure
with 6x20 screws.
STEP 8 - Continue
the addition of wide wall
elements (W) by adding (4)
of the wide wall element
sections along the second
long rail.
STEP 9 - Add the third 90° corner post and secure with
6x20 screws as with the other corners posts.

STEP 10 - Continue
to assemble the front
short wall by adding
(2) of the narrow wall
element sections (N)
followed by (1) of the
narrow wall element
sections with the edge
clips facing to the door
opening.
STEP 11 - Install (1) of the narrow wall elements (N)
on the other short wall (this will connect to the wall
element you installed in step 3.)
STEP 12 - Install the narrow glass wall element
section with the edge clips facing the door opening.

STEP 13 - Install the (2) 45° corner posts to the narrow wall
elements (one wood, the other glass) that frame the door opening.
Once the corner post is in place you can nudge it into place with a
rubber mallet.
NOTE: The clips allow the wall sections to connect securely and rmly
without the use of screws, but everything must line up for them to
t correctly. You must position the 45° corner post several inches
above the wall section before nesting the post to the wall. Once the
corner post is tight to the wall section - slide
it down and tap in place with a rubber mallet.
The clips will slide into each other and hold
the post.
If the clips will not easily slip together, then
take a Phillips head (+) screwdriver and
loosen the screws holding all of the clips by ½
turn and try again. Loosening the clip slightly
will not aect the holding power of the clip.
STEP 14 - The nished door opening will be
framed by the (2) 45° corner posts.
STEP 15 - Locate the doorframe and remove the
bottom board that was used to secure in shipping.
SAVE THIS BOTTOM BOARD.
Clips slide into each other.
Loosen slightly if necessary.

STEP 16 - In the same way you installed the 45° corner posts, you will now
install the doorframe. Raise both sides of the doorframe - you MUST use two
people and keep the doorframe level – several inches above the 45° corner
posts and then follow the same procedure as in step 13.
Again, loosen the clips slightly if they are too tight to allow them to slide
together.
STEP 17 - Now install the roof support rails, the
(2) long rails on the long walls and the (2) short rails
on the short walls. The rails are not cut to size. YOU
WILL NEED TO USE A HAND SAW TO CUT THE RAILS
TO SIZE, MAKING A 45° CUT ON TWO OF THE RAILS
SUPPORTS. Measure 1-1/2” down from the top of the
wall element sections and pencil marks on each end
the wall sections. Then screw the roof support rails
to the wall element sections using 4x70 screws with
the bit provided. Secure the roof support rails to the
wall element sections with a 4x70 screw into each
wall element section. This will rmly secure the wall
element sections together along the full perimeter of
the sauna.
NOTE: Double check the wall sections to be sure they
are tight together before securing roof support rails.
STEP 18 - From the top of the sauna lay the (3)
roof element sections in place. The side to face “up”
is indicated, and the placement of the sections is
intuitive. It is not necessary to screw the roof sections
to the supports. A proper sauna needs airow and
should not be airtight. However, if your roof sections
are not laying at and if you can see gaps of light
between the roof sections and the roof supports you
can screw them down as desired to tighten the t.
To secure use 4x70 screws and screw from the top
into the roof rail supports.

STEP 19 - You will now install the bench
supports. On the shorter left sauna wall and
longer right sauna wall of the sauna, from the oor
measure 34”and make a pencil mark. Position the
top of the 23” upper bench support at the mark and
use a level to insure that the support is level to the
ground. Then screw the upper bench support into
the wall element sections using 5x70 screws. Do
this with both the right and left bench supports.
Note: you can adjust the height of the benches
by changing the height of the bench supports.
However, we suggest you follow these instructions
and change later if desired.
STEP 20 - For the lower bench supports,
repeat step 19 but measure up from the oor
16” and make a mark. Install the right and left
longer 52” bench supports, noting that the
lower bench support on the shorter left wall
will cross the window and be screwed into the
window panel.
STEP 21 - You will now install the lower
bench back supports. From the front of the
two UPPER bench supports that you just
installed, measure ¾”back and make a mark.
Then, install the two lower backrest supports
(one on the left and right
side of the sauna) to the
sidewall element sections
using 5x70 screws.

STEP 22 - Place the upper
bench onto the upper bench
supports. Once the upper bench
is in place screw it into the right
and left bench supports using
(4) 4x60 screws, two on each side
and in between the slats. Then,
use (4) 4x60 screws and attach
the rear of the bench to the
rear wall from below the bench.
Place one screw into each wall
element section by drilling
through the rear of the bench.
STEP 23 - Place the lower bench on the lower
bench supports. Since the lower bench is intended
to slide in and out (it can be used as a step or as a full
bench) it is not to be screwed into place.
STEP 24 - For the side bench installation you need to
install one bench support on the front inside wall of the
sauna for one end of the bench. The other end will attach
to the front of the upper rear bench creating an “L” shaped
upper bench.
To install the bench support, measure
34” up from the oor on the front wall
and make a mark with a pencil. Then,
using 5x70 screws fasten the upper
bench support using a level to insure
that it is parallel to the oor.

STEP 25 - Position the side bench by placing the one end
on the bench support you installed in step 24. With one
person holding the bench, position the other end so that
it is level with the rear upper bench. Using 5x70 screws,
attach the side bench to the rear bench from the bottom
side. Next, using 4x60 screws fasten the rear of the side
bench to the wall element sections from below the bench.
STEP 26 - Measure 10” above the rear
and side upper benches and make a pencil
mark. Place one of the upper bench back
supports (3-slats on each back support)
above each bench and be sure it is level.
Then, using
3.5x40 screws
attach the back
support to the
wall element
sections. Position
your screws
in the vertical
battens between
the slats so that
the screws are
concealed.
STEP 27 - Position the lower back support
(4-slats) above the lower bench and against
the vertical supports you installed in step 21.
Holding the lower bench support tight to the
top bench, attach to the vertical supports using
3.5x40 screws.

STEP 28 - Locate the vent cover and
position over the wall opening. Attach with
(40) 3.5x40 screws.
STEP 29 - Locate the exterior roof trim
pieces. These will attach to the exterior top
perimeter of the sauna. The pieces create an“L”
around the top edge and will be screwed to the
roof sections from the top using 3.5x40 screws.
NOTE: The trim
pieces are not
pre-cut and must
be cut to size using
a hand saw. If the
sauna is being
placed the corner
of the room then it
is common to only
install the trim on
the visible sides.
STEP 30 - Install the hinges onto the glass
door. The hinge consists of the hinge bracket, hole
spacers, bracket cleat and hex screws. Be sure the
screws are snug before mounting the door.

STEP 31 - Find the board you set aside
in step 15. Please it on the oor of the door
opening and the place the glass door with
hinges on this board. (This allows you to install
the glass door with a gap at
the oor) Screw the hinges into
the frame of the door using the
screws that were included with
the hinges. Be sure of the t of the
door before tightening the screws.
NOTE: The nished sauna will have
a ½” gap below the door at the
oor. This is required to provide
the proper ventilation through the
sauna.
STEP 32 - Midway up the doorframe peel
back the sealing strip and nd the pre-drilled
hole for the magnet. Find the magnet in the
hardware kit and squeeze it into the hole
using pliers. The magnet is adjustable and
can be loosened or
tightened as needed.
Cut the sealing strip to
allow for the magnet
and then reinsert in the
groove.
STEP 33 - Find the door handle and install with the
wood portion on the inside of the sauna.

STEP 35 - Install the heater according to the
heater installation instructions.
STEP 34 - Install the light xture in a location of your choosing. It is suggested that
the light be approximately 12” from the ceiling. NOTE: A licensed electrician should do
electrical wiring in the sauna.
Almost Heaven Saunas
THE AUTHENTIC SAUNA EXPERIENCE
®
See separate
heater installation
instructions.

OPERATION
After the sauna has been installed, sweep down the inside to remove any sawdust and wood shavings, and then vacuum com-
pletely. Using a damp cloth and warm water, wipe down the entire sauna including the benches to remove any remaining dirt,
dust and debris. Rinse othe sauna stones and install them in or on the heater in accordance with the heater manufacturer’s
instructions. Improper placement of heater stones can result in lower than desired heat temperatures. The rst time you turn
the heater on, set it to the maximum setting and operate it for about 30 minutes with the door propped open. Then close the
door and allow your sauna to come up to the desired temperature.
Since you most likely will use your sauna as both a “wet sauna” and a “dry sauna”, you should install the sauna stones that have
been included with the heater, following the manufacturer’s instructions. These stones are necessary if water will be sprinkled
on the heater to create the “wet sauna”, and they will produce more consistent heating in the dry mode (without the use of
water). It is common for a stone to occasionally crack during initial heating. If excess amounts of water are used during sauna,
prop door open to let the humidity escape. Not much water is necessary to achieve a “wet sauna”.
The amount of ventilation in the sauna can be adjusted by means of the vent located toward the top of the sau-na. It is impor-
tant to have adequate fresh air owing through the sauna, and this ow can be adjusted with the movable vent cover.
TRADITIONAL STEPS IN TAKING A SAUNA BATH
STEP #1 Set your heater so that the sauna room achieves the desired temperature, usually between 150º F and 170º F.
As a novice, you should begin at the lower end of this range and work your way up to the higher temperatures
over several sauna baths.
STEP #2 Remove all clothing (except maybe your swimsuit), eyeglasses, contact lenses, jewelry, etc. Take a quick shower
with warm water and soap, or a quick dip in your hot tub.
STEP #3 Enter the sauna initially for about 5 to 15 minutes. Bring a towel into the sauna onto which you can sit or lay.
Leave the sauna room once you have begun to perspire freely.
STEP #4 Now you may take a cold plunge in your swimming pool, shower or snow bank. After that, relax and cool down
for another 10 to 20 minutes.
STEP #5 Re-enter the sauna. On this return visit you may wish to sprinkle small amounts of water onto the stones creating
bursts of steam. If the water spills through the heater and onto the oor, you are using too much, although this
will not hurt the heater or the sauna.
STEP #6 After your nal visit to the sauna, relax for at least 20 minutes. Shower with soap and warm water. Finish your
shower with cooler water to close the pores of your skin. Dress only after you have cooled down completely.
NOTE: Whatever your sauna regimen, it is important that you keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water!
Almost Heaven Saunas
THE AUTHENTIC SAUNA EXPERIENCE
®