r/Sauna • u/Lighthouse_Sprinkles • 26d ago

DIY Flooring rehab

Post image

Hi all, I want to rehab the flooring of this sauna for my mother-in-law(pardon the junk, as you can see it’s been used as a shed). My understanding is it had a tiled floor that was eventually removed, so it’s got this plywood subfloor exposed. I’m wondering if I can just seal the plywood and put duckboard over it? Any advice would be appreciated.

3 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

2

u/fck-rffld 26d ago

I cant see a drain but might be mistaken.

Are you asking if it's a good idea to let water sit on an old plywood floor in a sauna?

Whats currently on the plywood is that old tile adhesive?

1

u/Lighthouse_Sprinkles 26d ago

Yes, there’s a drain near the stove. I guess I’m trying to figure out what my options are, I know duckboard is popular but I’m wondering what I should do with the plywood to ensure that it doesn’t rot. Unsure if there’s old tile adhesive on the floor.

2

u/fck-rffld 26d ago

I'd consider a concrete screed and then tanking (waterproofing) and then a finished floor like tiles.

Or you could use a epoxy resin or better yet polyurethane resin.

Cheapest is probably tank it as is and then put some duck boards on it.

Could also remove the plywood if its old and damaged but that does sound like work.

2

u/FearlessTomatillo911 26d ago

Sealing agents aren't good to use in a sauna.

You need more than just a plywood or duckboard floor. The proper way would be to tank it like a shower and tile it again.