When I decided to open Monarch Saunas, I wanted to do things differently than I have in the past. I have worked in several wood shops previously, and trying something new comes naturally. I found that many of the parts and accessories used regularly were not made in Canada. Many parts are made from Western Red Cedar planks that have been shipped overseas for manufacturing, then brought back and sold in North America. The only reason is to take advantage of low wages overseas and relies on shipping and duty costs remaining low. As uncertainty swirls around fuel prices and tariffs, it is becoming more cost effective to re-shore production. That’s why I started Monarch Saunas. With an elbows-up approach, I want to protect and build Canadian manufacturing capability and excellence!
· My History and Experience
I have been in the sauna industry for over a dozen years. I trained under an industry pioneer, Bert O. Jalasjaa, known for writing the sauna building bible “The Art of Sauna Building”. In 2021, I took over ownership, along with 3 other business partners. After 4 years, we sold our shares to another player in the Sauna industry. I eventually left the company as well. I took the summer off to travel, when I found that not one but two other individuals in the sauna industry were looking to retire. I saw this as an opportunity to use my knowledge and contacts to help contribute to the industry.
I am looking to continue production of sauna buckets in Waterloo. The Thomascraft brand, which has been a family business for decades, is looking for a new home. I will also be taking over a sauna install and repair business, which brings more experience to my team. Between my electrician and I, we have over 50 years of experience selling Saunacore heaters. Our mission is to bring a higher level of expertise and service to our projects, so that installers and sauna bathers know how to make the most of their sauna!
While I trained using the techniques listed in “The Art of Sauna Building”, I believe it is important to keep on top of new technologies and designs. Newer authors such as Lassi Liikanen provide a modern take on traditional building techniques, and other authors and builders continue to contribute to the knowledge of sauna building. Some older texts may seem anachronistic, references to ‘asbestos’ may be present before a certain date, or some terms may no longer be ‘politically correct’. A curious mind is necessary to breed innovation.
· What I Value & What you can expect from Monarch Saunas
I like to document and record all the projects I work on. I take lots of images for several reasons. It could be to document an install job, show that a heater is working, or record defective or damaged components of the sauna room. If images are taken or shared, it will be without any identifying information, such as names, addresses, or someone’s face. Permission will be sought wherever necessary to share images. I do believe that sharing my experiences will help others find inspiration, or solutions to a problem.
I found in the Sauna industry by accident. It was recommended that I start regular sauna use to deal with chronic pain, after leaving my previous job. It was a nice coincidence that a job shipping sauna kits came open in my city. I decided I wanted to dedicate my career to sharing the positives from a healthy sauna routine. One saying stuck with me: ‘all people are equal, and more so in the sauna’.
A lot of people are using AI generated content when it comes to the Sauna industry. I have several reservations about this, and will be cautious about AI use. I don’t believe that AI can replace human judgement. When it comes to electrical information, only a certified electrician can interpret the codes correctly, as AI has been known to give conflicting information. It is important to note that the AI available today is only a language modelling program, and can only summarize the information it presents without verification. There are some uses that make sense, such as correcting grammar, or helping someone visualize what their finished sauna will look like. However, I promise you that I will not post images that have been edited by AI, and I will not use AI to generate any writing to preserve a sense of authenticity.
· Innovation in the Sauna Industry
I am looking for ways to build saunas in new and unconventional ways. When building a new shop, I purchased a woodworking CNC machine, and can now make custom engravings. I have also started making Sauna signs, and am experimenting with types of finishing for exterior and interior installations. For example, interior installations can’t use any finishing that would off-gas or deteriorate in the heat. For this, I only use our Sauna Guard stain prevention, a formula that my mentor brought over from Finland many years ago. I have been testing some formulas for epoxy resin fills, and hope to find a high-temperature formula that is suitable for the interior of the sauna room. For now, the designs shown below are just for use outside the sauna room.
I believe in reducing waste, and reusing scrap material wherever I can. While I reserve my best wood for bench tops, and other visible components, I try to find uses for all materials that I don’t use. Lower quality pieces, or items that are not as visually appealing, can be used for structural components, such as in bench frames. The bad parts can be cut out, to make a smaller 2x3 or fascia parts. The cut offs can be used to make items such as coasters and flowerpots. One item that received a lot of feedback was a Jenga set. These can be easily customized, such as engraving a logo on the pieces. I will be posting lots of other products I make, and creativity is my only limit.
I am also looking to build cabin, barrel, and log Saunas. With the capability to make both tongue & groove as well as bead & cove profiles, I can experiment with new designs. One request I have seen before is the addition of a changeroom to a cabin or barrel sauna. With my equipment, I can prototype and mass produce these designs, or provide customizations that aren’t available from larger sauna manufacturers. Like Henry Ford said, “You can have any colour you like, as long as it’s black.” Here we believe in pushing the limits of conventional wisdom, such as dual saunas with traditional and infrared heat.
· Sauna tourism
As I travel across Canada, I take the opportunity to check out any local public saunas that are available. I have a tendency to inspect and critique, and have previously published reviews of my travels. This is mostly just for the love of Saunas, and to see some exciting new locales as I travel. When I can, I will document these trips, and share them for others to see. If only you could look on Google to review which public sauna is best, or what other people are saying about their sauna experience. I would consider whether a gym has a decent sauna, before I consider a membership. After all, a sauna is great for relieving sore or tense muscles after a workout. I encourage others to share their experiences and reviews, so that others know where they can get a sweat on!
Stay tuned to social media, and I hope to share my creations in the future. I hope to share new locations as I travel, and showcase public saunas across the country. I plan to produce sauna parts on a wholesale basis, so I can replace overseas manufacturing with Made-in-Canada products. I look forward to sharing my sauna builds with you!
