Perhaps you imagine yourself watching TV in a sauna. It’s a great way to relax, after all, and working through some of your favorite TV shows while also working up a sweat feels like some kind of health super-power. But can you put a TV in a sauna? Is that safe? Is that even allowed?
TVs can be installed in a sauna, but you do need an outdoor TV that’s rated for high heat and moisture. Install by placing it within the walls or using mounting hardware fastened to a wall or ceiling. Finish by drilling a hole for cords and caulking it.
If you’re ready to install a TV in your own sauna, you’re in the right place. By the end of this article, you’ll know just how to do it, and why you can’t just use a normal spare TV you have lying around!
Can You Put a TV in a Sauna?
Your sauna experience is highly personal, and there are no hard-and-fast rules about what you can and can’t do in it. You can indeed drill, mount, and run power to a TV in your sauna as long as you take measures to protect it and yourself.
That said, TVs are electronic devices, and electronics don’t always fare well inside of a sauna. The high heat and humidity can be very damaging to any electronic device, including televisions.
You absolutely can put a TV in a sauna, but know that unless it’s specifically designed and rated for such use, it probably will need to be replaced often.
But Should You?
While it is technically possible to install a TV inside your sauna, the bigger question might be whether or not you should. Among the many benefits of sauna use is the quiet solitude offered by the low-tech, unplugged room.
Many people advocate for a bare-bones sauna experience in which all distractions are left outside. Sauna purists embrace the experience mindfully, simply relaxing and paying attention to the experience itself. Mindful sauna use is often heralded as the best way to relieve stress and achieve total relaxation.
On the other hand, saunas are most beneficial when you personalize the experience so you enjoy it. If it brings you pleasure and relaxation to watch TV in your sauna, then by all means, put a TV in there with you.
Which Type of TV Should You Put in Your Sauna?
To save money, some people opt for ordinary TVs in the sauna regardless if it is designed to withstand high heat and moisture. You can certainly do this, and it may be cheaper in the short-term.
However, it usually ends up being more expensive in the long run due to the need to replace the device frequently.
Remember that traditional sauna temperatures range from 150-195 degrees Fahrenheit (65-90 degrees Celsius) and infrared saunas range from 120-140 degrees Fahrenheit (49-60 degrees Celsius).
If you’d like to enjoy your sauna TV for a long time without replacing it, it might make sense to invest in a television that is specifically designed for use in bathrooms and saunas (on Amazon). Such televisions are waterproof and can withstand heat and moisture exposure.
Another thing to look for when shopping for a TV to put in your sauna is its sound and picture quality. Purchase a TV with a display that is pleasing to you. Make sure that the volume is loud enough and has good sound quality so you don’t have to install an external speaker system.
Whether you choose a regular TV or one designed for sauna use, the installation process is the same.
How Do You Install a TV in a Sauna?
The way you install a TV in a sauna is a matter of personal taste and convenience. A TV can either be installed right into the wall or be mounted on hardware attached to the wall.
Installing a TV into the Wall
Some people enjoy the look of a TV installed into the sauna wall so that the screen is flush with the wall and all other components are hidden. This, of course, is easiest to achieve if you are in the process of building your sauna and the walls aren’t yet complete. To do this:
- Place the TV in a spot where you can access it from outside the sauna, such as in the wall adjacent to the changing room, an external wall, or near the ceiling.
- Nail a cross-brace between two wall studs.
- Situate your TV on this makeshift shelf (the cross-brace).
- Nail your cedar sauna walls around the TV.
- You can make trim pieces to frame the TV if you like that look, or simply sand the edges of the planks surrounding the TV so they are smooth.
- You might want to cover the screen with a piece of glass the same size as the TV for added protection. After your TV is mounted, place the glass sheet in front of it and use shims to press the TV tightly against the glass.
- Be sure to leave the infrared sensor exposed so you can control it remotely. Some people first install an IR booster into the TV to make it much more sensitive to the remote control’s signals inside the sauna.
Mounting Your TV onto the Wall
If your sauna is already built, or if you just want easier access to your TV after it’s installed, you can also mount it to hardware fastened to a sauna wall or ceiling.
You can fasten any type of TV—regular televisions and those designed for sauna use—onto mounting kits.
- Use a wall mounting kit (on Amazon) or a ceiling mount (also on Amazon), preferably one that swivels so you can adjust the angle and see it from anywhere in the sauna. Note the size of the kit and ensure that it will fit your TV.
- You may also use the TV’s own mounting kit. This eliminates the need for bulky hardware, but you lose the ability to adjust the angle of your TV.
However you mount it, you’ll need to run the cords outside of the sauna room itself, so drill a hole just big enough to thread cords through.
Don’t Forget the Peripherals
You’ll need a power source outside the sauna to plug in your TV because having a power outlet inside the sauna is neither effective nor safe.
Simply thread the cords through the hole you drill behind or under the mounting kit. If you have multiple cords (perhaps you’ve also mounted a soundbar), use cable ties to bundle them up neatly and/or cable wire clips to secure them to the wall.
If you have a smart TV, make sure it can connect to your Internet. Depending on the location of your sauna, you may need to place a wireless router nearby, again outside the sauna itself.
Also consider purchasing an inexpensive universal remote (on Amazon) that can be easily replaced. Even if you purchase a TV rated for sauna use, the remote controls often don’t withstand high heat and moisture.
Caulk and Seal the Holes
You’ll potentially be drilling several holes into your sauna wall. You’ll need a space to run the cords outside the sauna room, plus if you’re installing mounting hardware, you’ll create several holes where it’s screwed into the wall.
Generally, these holes are plugged by the screws, but because you want to retain as much heat as possible (no one wants a leaky, cool sauna), it may be helpful to caulk and seal all holes using adhesives like this one (on Amazon).
Conclusion
If you decide to watch TV while sauna bathing, consider using a timer so you don’t exceed the maximum recommended time in the sauna (15- 20 minutes for a traditional sauna or 20-45 for an infrared sauna) for your health and safety. If watching TV helps you relax and enjoy your sauna experience, go for it!
