Can You Install an Infrared Sauna Outdoors?
Not every home has the indoor space for a sauna, and plenty of people would rather have one outside anyway — closer to the pool, tucked into a corner of the yard, away from the parts of the house that need to stay dry. The short answer is yes, a Chakra Wellness sauna can go outdoors. The longer answer — what "outdoors" needs to mean for it to actually work long-term, and what happens to the warranty if it doesn't — is worth reading before you decide where it's going.
Can RadiantZen, GlowZen and CedarZen go outside?
All three of our current sauna models — RadiantZen (Premium and Standard), GlowZen and CedarZen — are built as indoor saunas first, and that's still where we'd recommend putting one if you have the choice. But we're comfortable with any of them being installed outdoors instead, in a well-protected spot. Outdoor installation on its own doesn't void the warranty — it's the protection around it that matters, which is what the rest of this page covers.
What "well-protected" actually means
This is the phrase that does the real work, so it's worth being specific rather than leaving it vague. A well-protected outdoor spot is one that isn't directly exposed to UV or rain — under a patio roof, an alfresco area, a carport, or anywhere else with genuine overhead cover, not just a spot that happens to be outside the back door.
If there's any chance water could pool underneath the cabin — low ground, a spot that collects runoff, anything that isn't clearly free-draining — raise the sauna on a platform. That's specifically an outdoor measure: indoors, almost any floor works and no platform is needed (infrared saunas are dry saunas, so moisture doesn't collect underneath), but outside, standing water under the base is how stagnant water, mould and base damage start.
Protecting it: the outdoor cover
For outdoor installs, we sell an optional outdoor cover for $150. It protects against UV, rain and dust, and it's designed to be left on even while the sauna is in use: it zips open and rolls up out of the way so the door still opens freely, rather than needing to be removed for every session. It's worth factoring into the budget for any outdoor install, not just something to add later if the timber starts looking weathered. Covers are available for all of our sauna sizes.
Power requirements don't change outdoors
The electrical side of an outdoor install is the same as indoors. RadiantZen Premium, RadiantZen Standard and GlowZen plug into a standard domestic 10A power outlet — no electrician needed for the connection itself. CedarZen needs a 15A circuit rather than the standard 10A outlet the 2-person models use, and most homes don't already have a spare 15A outlet in the right spot, so that one typically does need an electrician regardless of whether it's going indoors or outdoors. As a general rule, run either product from an RCD-protected (safety switch) circuit — most modern Australian homes already have this, but a licensed electrician can check an outdoor power point if you're not sure.
What happens to the warranty outdoors
Every sauna carries the same 3-year warranty against manufacturing defects whether it's installed inside or outside — outdoor installation by itself doesn't change that. What can affect a claim is sun or water damage specifically, and it's worth knowing exactly what that means rather than guessing:
Sun damage means direct UV exposure — the sauna sitting somewhere with no shade or weather protection at all, day after day.
Water damage means direct rain or leaking onto the unit — not routine outdoor humidity, and not incidental splashing.
These are assessed case-by-case, not an automatic decline. The question we're actually asking is whether the installation spot was genuinely protected, not simply whether it was outdoors. A sauna under a patio roof that's seen a few windy, sideways-rain days is a different situation to one sitting in full sun on an open deck with no cover at all. If you're ever unsure whether a spot you're considering counts as "well-protected," ask us before you install — it's a lot easier to confirm up front than to work out after the fact.
What about an ice bath outside?
If you're setting up an outdoor wellness space, the ice bath side of it is more forgiving of the weather than the sauna. The ZenChill chiller is rated IPX4, so it handles splashes and rain, though it isn't designed to sit fully exposed to the weather indefinitely — where it'll be outside in direct weather, we recommend the optional protective chiller box ($660). The tub itself is marine-grade 316 stainless steel either way. See our ice baths page for the full range and setup detail.
Perth's climate is worth planning around
Perth gets long, hot, high-UV summers and a wetter winter than people visiting from the eastern states usually expect — which is exactly why "well-protected" matters more here than in a milder climate. A spot that looks fine in spring can be sitting in several hours of direct afternoon sun by January, or catching driving rain in a July storm. Planning the location with both seasons in mind — not just how the yard looks on the day you're deciding — is the single best way to avoid a sun- or water-damage conversation down the track.
Getting it right from the start
If you're planning an outdoor install, our team can talk through the spot you have in mind before you buy, not just after delivery. We deliver and install across Perth Metro (postcodes 6000–6200), and outdoor installation is something we handle regularly — see our sauna installation guide for the full self-install steps, or get in touch and we'll help you work out whether your spot is ready.
Frequently asked questions
Does the sauna have to be installed indoors, or can it go outside?
RadiantZen, GlowZen and CedarZen are all indoor saunas and ideally go indoors. If you don't have indoor space, we're comfortable with it being installed outside in a well-protected area that isn't directly exposed to UV or rain. If there's any chance water could pool underneath, raise it on a platform to avoid stagnant water and mould. We also sell a protective outdoor cover.
Does installing outdoors void the warranty?
No — outdoor installation on its own doesn't void the warranty. What's assessed case-by-case is sun damage (no shade or weather protection at all) and water damage (direct rain or leaking, not routine humidity or incidental splashing). The question is whether the spot was genuinely protected, not just whether it was outdoors.
Do you sell a cover to protect the sauna outside?
Yes, a $150 optional add-on that protects against UV, rain and dust and is designed to stay on the sauna even while it's in use. Covers are available for all of our sauna sizes.
Does an outdoor sauna need special electrical work?
RadiantZen Premium, RadiantZen Standard and GlowZen plug into a standard 10A outlet, indoors or outdoors — no electrician needed for the connection itself. CedarZen needs a 15A circuit, which typically does need an electrician, regardless of location. Running the circuit through an RCD (safety switch) is good practice either way.
Can the ice bath chiller sit outside too?
Yes — it's IPX4-rated (splash and rain resistant), and we recommend the optional protective chiller box if it'll be in direct weather long-term.