The Zurich
The Zurich is a four-person barrel sauna with a view. At the front, a bronze privacy glass door keeps the room your own; at the back, the whole wall is clear acrylic, so you sit in the heat looking out at the garden, the trees or the winter sky. It's a compact barrel — 75 inches across — sized for a couple or a small family.
The round shape leaves no wasted corners, so there's less empty air to warm and the room heats quickly and efficiently. A 6 kW electric stove warms the stones and brings the room to 170–185°F. Pour a scoop of water and a soft wave of steam rolls along the curved cedar ceiling — löyly, the heartbeat of a Finnish sauna. The sandglass, bucket and scoop are included.
This is the sauna for watching the day change. The sunset fades through the back wall, rain beads on the clear panel while you stay warm inside, and on cold nights the first stars come out over the fence. The light behind the backrest glows softly, the cedar smells of summer, and there's nowhere else you need to be.
The Zurich is built of premium Pacific cedar and rests on support cradles over a level slab, pavers, gravel, blocks or a solid deck. A water repellent on the outside two or three times a year and an occasional check of the steel bands keep it in good shape. A licensed electrician adds a 240V circuit for the stove; the light uses a regular 120V outlet.
Specifications
| Model | GDI-B024-01 |
|---|---|
| Seats | Up to 4 people |
| Heater | 6 kW wall-mounted electric stove with built-in controls and stones (optional 8 kW upgrade) |
| Temperature | 170–185°F ideal, up to 190°F |
| Wood | Premium Pacific cedar |
| Door | Bronze privacy tempered glass |
| Rear wall | Clear acrylic |
| Light | Backrest accent light with LED control panel |
| Included | Sandglass, bucket and scoop |
| Exterior (W × D × H) | 75" × 73" × 75" |
| Interior (W × D × H) | 72" × 64" × 72" |
| Electrical | 240V / 30A for the 6 kW stove (40A for the 8 kW upgrade); 120V / 15A for the light |
| Weight | 494 lbs assembled · 695 lbs shipping with stove and stones, 3 boxes |
Before you buy
Where it can go
Where it can go
- Made for outdoors — the barrel itself is the roof.
- In rain, a little water can seep between the cedar staves. It doesn't harm the wood and dries quickly once the sauna heats up. A rain cover is recommended when it's not in use; to keep it completely dry, set it under a covered structure.
- It needs a level surface that can carry well over 1,000 lbs with people inside: a concrete slab, pavers, gravel, cinder blocks or a solid wood deck. On soft ground, rest the support cradles on blocks so it doesn't settle.
- Keep the ventilation vent clear, and plan a regular outlet within reach of the light's power cord.
Power
Power
- The stove needs its own 240V / 30A circuit, hardwired by a certified electrician (240V / 40A with the optional 8 kW stove).
- Use copper wire rated for 90°C — no aluminum wire, extension cords or adapters.
- The light plugs into a regular 120V / 15A outlet.
- We can connect you with a licensed local electrician.
Heat and sessions
Heat and sessions
- 170–185°F is the ideal range, and the sauna can heat up to 190°F. New to sauna? Start lower and work your way up.
- Pour small amounts of water over the hot stones for steam. Sandglass, bucket and scoop are included.
- A round of 5–15 minutes is typical. Drink water before, during and after, and cool down 10–20 minutes before showering.
- After every 4 hours of use, let the sauna rest for 1 hour.
Assembly and care
Assembly and care
- Two adults are needed to assemble it.
- Apply an exterior wood water repellent within a month of assembly, then 2–3 times a year. Without UV protection, cedar starts turning grey in 1–2 years. Never stain the interior — it stays natural wood.
- Check the stainless steel bands from time to time: the wood swells and contracts with the seasons, so they may need tightening.
- Clean the inside with plain water and a soft cloth, with the stove off and covered — no chemical cleaners.
Warranty and health note
Warranty and health note
- Golden Designs warranty: 5 years on the wood structure (when properly maintained), control panel, wiring harnesses and lights. The stove is covered by its manufacturer's warranty.
- The owner's manual advises against sauna use during pregnancy. Check with your doctor first if you have heart disease, high or low blood pressure, diabetes or circulation problems, or take prescription medication. Children should use the sauna only with close adult supervision.
- Saunas are not intended to treat or cure any disease.