Site Preparation & Installation Guide

Appointing a Contractor 01

Once your order is confirmed, we recommend appointing a local groundworks contractor or builder to prepare your site.

This guide can be shared directly with them to ensure the works are carried out to the correct specification. While experienced clients may undertake site preparation themselves, professional installation is strongly recommended to avoid costly errors and delays.

Selecting the Right Location 02

doon saunas are designed with generous glazing to connect you to your surroundings. When choosing a location, consider:

• Key views across your land or landscape

• Privacy from neighbouring properties

• Natural access routes from your home

• Shelter from prevailing winds

• Proximity to power and internet connection

You may also wish to consider sun path and long-term exposure to UV. Over time, natural timber finishes will develop a soft patina. This is a deliberate part of the ARCA aesthetic, but solar exposure may influence your choice of materials and maintenance schedule.

Preparing the Base 03

Your sauna must be installed on a stable, level, free-draining foundation. The most commonly used and cost-effective solution is a compacted stone base.

Recommended Base Construction

• Excavate to suitable depth for your ground conditions

• Install a woven geotextile membrane

• Lay and compact clean angular stone

• Ensure the finished surface is level in all directions

This provides excellent drainage, long-term stability, and avoids frost movement.

A timber perimeter frame may be added for visual definition, though this is not structurally required if the base is properly compacted.

Alternative Foundations

Depending on your site, you may also choose:

• Concrete pier foundations

• Reinforced concrete slab

• Ground Screws

Any foundation must be:

• Level

• Square

• Load-bearing

• Fully cured before delivery

Electrical & Connectivity Requirements 04

All doon saunas arrive fully pre-wired internally and ready for final connection on site.

A qualified electrician must provide:

• A dedicated power supply to the sauna location

• A local isolation switch where required by regulation

Final connection is completed after the sauna is positioned.

If your sauna includes a Wi-Fi enabled controller, ensure adequate signal strength at the installation location. For remote sites, an outdoor extender or access point may be required.

Access for Delivery 05

Our delivery vehicles and equipment require clear, safe access to the installation point.

Please ensure:

• Adequate vehicle access to your property

• Firm ground conditions for delivery equipment

• Clearances for width and height along access routes

Challenging sites - including steep slopes, restricted access, woodland paths, or waterfront locations - may require specialist lifting equipment such as a crane.

If you believe your site presents unusual constraints, please notify us in advance so that we can plan the delivery method accordingly.

Complex Installations 06

Doon saunas are frequently installed in remote and architecturally sensitive locations. Where direct placement is not possible, we can coordinate delivery to a suitable transfer point and work alongside your appointed lifting contractor.

Early discussion is essential for complex sites to ensure a safe and efficient installation.

If Your Site Is Not Ready 07

If our team arrives and the site is not prepared, we will place the sauna in a temporary accessible location on your property if possible.

Once delivered, relocation becomes the responsibility of the owner. For this reason, we strongly encourage full site readiness before your scheduled installation date.

Proper preparation ensures your installation day is smooth, efficient, and stress-free.

Any further questions, don’t hesitate to call the team!