In most cases, no. Under Irish planning regulations, garden structures such as outdoor saunas are generally exempt from planning permission provided they meet certain conditions. The total floor area of all outbuildings on your property must not exceed 25 square metres. After adding the sauna, you must still have at least 25 square metres of unbuilt garden area remaining. The structure must also not exceed approximately 3 metres in height. If your garden already has a large shed or other outbuilding, you should check whether adding a sauna would breach these limits. Properties in protected areas, on very small plots, or attached to listed buildings may have different requirements. We always recommend confirming with your local planning authority if you are unsure. This guidance is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.

The right size depends on how many people will typically use the sauna at the same time and how much space you have available in your garden. Our XS model at 200cm is suitable for 2 to 4 people and is the most compact option. The S model at 250cm adds a 60cm outdoor terrace and is the most popular choice for home use. The M model at 300cm accommodates 4 to 6 people comfortably and suits regular family use. Our L and XL models are suited to larger families, commercial use, or customers who want a more substantial wellness structure including a changing room area. If you are unsure which size suits your garden and lifestyle, contact us for a free consultation.

Both materials are used in our barrel saunas. Pinewood is the standard option and provides excellent performance for outdoor use. It has a natural appearance and is very well suited to the Irish climate. Thermowood is pinewood that has been thermally treated at high temperatures, which reduces its moisture content to below 7%, significantly increases its dimensional stability, and gives it greater resistance to weathering and decay. Thermowood requires less maintenance over time and has a darker, more refined appearance. For a sauna that will be used intensively year-round, or for customers who want the highest quality and lowest maintenance option, thermowood is the recommended choice. It is available at a higher price point on all models.

All of our barrel saunas come standard with the Harvia M90 electric stove (9kW). The Harvia M90 is one of the most respected electric sauna heaters in the world, used in professional and residential saunas across Scandinavia and Europe. It heats a barrel sauna to operating temperature in approximately 30 to 45 minutes and runs on a standard 230V supply. For customers who prefer a wood-burning experience, we offer an upgrade to the Harvia M2 wood-burning stove (16.5kW), which includes a chimney system and rain cover. The Harvia M2 produces a more traditional, softer heat and requires no electrical connection to operate.

The Harvia M90 included with our standard saunas operates on 230V single-phase power, which is the standard domestic supply in Ireland. The electrical connection must be carried out by a certified electrician in compliance with Irish electrical regulations. It cannot be plugged into a standard domestic socket. Your electrician will need to install a dedicated circuit for the heater. We recommend arranging this before your sauna is delivered so it is ready to connect on installation day.

With the Harvia M90 electric stove, a barrel sauna typically reaches operating temperature between 75 and 90 degrees Celsius in 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of the model and the ambient outdoor temperature. The rounded barrel shape promotes efficient air circulation which helps heat the space evenly and quickly. Wood-burning stoves take a similar amount of time but the heating experience is more gradual and atmospheric.

Absolutely. Our saunas are built specifically for outdoor year-round use in the Irish climate. Both pinewood and thermowood are highly resistant to moisture, wind, and temperature fluctuation. The bitumen shingle roof provides excellent weather protection. The sauna interior is designed to retain heat efficiently even in cold external temperatures. Many of our customers use their saunas most frequently during autumn and winter, and the contrast between the heat inside and the cold outside air is a significant part of the experience.

All saunas require a stable, level foundation. The most common options are screw pile foundations, a concrete slab, concrete point foundations, or a timber substructure. Screw piles are our most frequently recommended option for residential gardens — they can be installed in a matter of hours without excavation or waiting for concrete to cure, and they can be removed if needed in the future. If you are unsure which option is right for your garden, send us photos and we will advise you.

Barrel saunas are low maintenance by design. After each use, leave the door and ventilation open for 20 to 30 minutes to allow moisture to escape and the interior to dry. The interior wood should never be treated with paint, varnish, or sealant. If you wish to preserve the exterior wood, use a sauna-safe exterior oil or treatment appropriate for outdoor timber. Sauna stones should be checked periodically and replaced if they show signs of cracking or disintegration. The heater should be serviced in line with the manufacturer's guidelines. Beyond this, an occasional sweep out of the interior and a check of the stainless steel hoops for any rust is all that is typically required.

A well-maintained barrel sauna built from quality European timber will last 15 to 25 years or more. Thermowood models, due to the thermal treatment process, tend to have a longer lifespan with less maintenance required. The Harvia heaters we use are built to commercial standards and are designed for long-term reliability. Replacement parts for all components are available and will remain available for the foreseeable future.

In most cases no, provided the overall structure falls within the planning exemption thresholds outlined above. Screw pile foundations do not require digging or concrete and are considered a non-permanent installation in most circumstances. If you are in any doubt, check with your local planning authority before proceeding.

Yes. Several of our models are well suited to commercial use, particularly the M, L, and XL sizes. For commercial applications we typically recommend thermowood construction for its durability and lower maintenance requirements under heavy use. Please contact us to discuss your specific project and we will advise on the most suitable products and configuration.

The terms are often used interchangeably. An ice bath traditionally refers to any form of cold water immersion, including a bathtub filled with cold water and ice. A cold plunge tub is a purpose-built vessel designed specifically for regular cold water immersion. Unlike a bathtub or inflatable pool, a cold plunge tub is constructed from durable materials such as fiberglass with thermowood exterior cladding, designed to be installed outdoors, maintain temperature effectively, and withstand year-round use. At Revival Health Labs, we sell purpose-built cold plunge tubs rather than entry-level portable options.

The evidence base for cold water therapy has grown significantly in recent years and the benefits are well documented. Regular cold water immersion has been shown to reduce muscle inflammation and soreness after exercise, improve circulation by causing blood vessels to contract and then dilate, increase the release of noradrenaline and endorphins which improve mood and energy levels, build mental resilience through repeated controlled exposure to discomfort, support immune function through repeated thermal stress, and improve sleep quality. Many users also report significant reductions in perceived stress and anxiety with regular practice. Cold water therapy works best as part of a consistent routine rather than as an occasional event.

For general wellness and recovery benefits, a water temperature between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius is effective for most people. For more advanced cold exposure and greater physiological response, temperatures between 4 and 10 degrees Celsius are commonly used. In Ireland, tap water during winter months is often cold enough to use a cold plunge tub without any chiller at all. During warmer months, adding ice or using an optional chiller unit allows you to maintain your preferred temperature year-round. Our chiller option cools water to as low as 3 to 4 degrees Celsius.

For beginners, start with 1 to 2 minutes and build up gradually over several weeks. Most people find 3 to 5 minutes at temperatures between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius to be effective for recovery and wellness. Experienced cold exposure practitioners may stay in longer, but there is limited additional benefit beyond 10 minutes in most cases. Always listen to your body. If you feel pain, extreme discomfort, or difficulty breathing, exit the water immediately. Never use a cold plunge alone if you are new to cold exposure.

Not necessarily. In Ireland, tap water is naturally cold enough for effective cold water therapy during autumn, winter, and spring without any chiller. During summer months or in warm weather, adding bags of ice is a practical and cost-effective solution. A chiller unit is the most convenient option for year-round use at a consistent controlled temperature, particularly for customers who use their cold plunge daily or who want to maintain very precise temperatures for athletic recovery. Our Spawer Ice Spa chiller unit cools water to 4 degrees Celsius and can also heat it to 40 degrees Celsius, effectively making your cold plunge a year-round contrast therapy vessel.

Our solo cold plunge tub is a round vessel with a 106cm diameter and 93.5cm height, holding 400 litres of water. It is designed for individual daily use and takes up less space in the garden. Our 2-person tub is oval-shaped at 130cm by 85cm by 112.5cm and holds 800 litres, providing enough room for two people to use it together. Both models are made from the same fiberglass and thermowood construction and can be paired with the same chiller unit.

Water hygiene is an important consideration for any cold plunge tub. For occasional use without a chiller, the simplest approach is to drain, rinse, and refill the tub regularly — typically every week or two depending on frequency of use. For daily use or when using a chiller that keeps water in the tub long-term, we recommend using a water sanitiser compatible with cold water therapy tubs, such as chlorine tablets or a bromine-based treatment at very low doses. The smooth fiberglass interior is easy to wipe down and does not harbour bacteria the way porous materials can. Our chiller unit includes a circulation pump and filtration system which helps maintain water quality between full water changes.

Yes. Our tubs are built from thermowood-clad fiberglass and are designed for year-round outdoor use in the Irish climate. If you are not using the tub during a cold spell and are concerned about freezing, we recommend either draining the tub or running the chiller in heating mode to prevent the water from freezing. In normal Irish winter conditions, the tub does not need to be brought indoors or covered with anything other than a standard weatherproof lid if you wish to keep debris out.

Cold water immersion is safe for most healthy adults when approached sensibly. It is not recommended for people with uncontrolled high blood pressure, cardiovascular conditions, Raynaud’s disease, or cold urticaria without prior medical advice. Pregnant women should also consult their doctor before beginning cold water therapy. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, please consult your GP before starting a cold water immersion practice. Always start gradually with warmer temperatures and shorter durations and build up over time.

Absolutely. Contrast therapy — alternating between heat in the sauna and cold in the plunge — is one of the most effective recovery and wellness protocols available. The combination of heat and cold causes blood vessels to repeatedly expand and contract, driving circulation, clearing metabolic waste from muscles, and producing a powerful neurological response that many users describe as profoundly energising. This is why we offer The Revival Bundle, which pairs a barrel sauna with a cold plunge tub as a complete contrast therapy setup, delivered and installed together.

A wood-fired hot tub is heated by burning wood in an integrated or external stove, either inside the tub or adjacent to it. It requires no electricity to heat the water, making it ideal for gardens without a nearby power supply and for customers who enjoy the atmosphere of a real fire. The heating process is more gradual and produces a softer, more atmospheric warmth. An electric hot tub heater uses a heating element connected to your mains power supply and is controlled by a thermostat, allowing you to set a precise temperature and maintain it automatically. Electric heating is more convenient for daily use, particularly if you want the tub to be ready at a specific time without needing to manage a fire. Both options produce an excellent hot tub experience — the choice largely comes down to lifestyle preference and the practicalities of your garden and power supply.

Yes. Our hot tubs are built from thermowood-clad fiberglass specifically selected for outdoor use in the Irish climate. The combination of a well-insulated fiberglass interior and thermowood exterior makes them highly effective at retaining heat even in cold, wet, or windy conditions. Many customers find hot tub use is most enjoyable during the autumn and winter months when sitting in warm water in cold outdoor air is particularly restorative. With a good quality thermal cover, heat loss between sessions is minimised.

With a wood-burning stove, heating time depends on the stove output, the volume of water, and the starting temperature of the water. For our 1.8m tub holding 1,100 litres, allow approximately 2 to 3 hours with a wood-burning stove, starting from cold tap water. An electric heater will achieve similar heating times if the correct power output is matched to the tub size. One of the most common approaches is to light the stove or switch on the electric heater a few hours before you plan to use the tub, and let it reach temperature while you go about your day.

Most users prefer a temperature between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius for relaxation and hydrotherapy. The maximum recommended temperature for regular use is 40 degrees Celsius. Prolonged soaking above 40 degrees is not recommended. For contrast therapy purposes, you may wish to cool the tub to a lower temperature during summer for a cold plunge experience, which our tubs also accommodate.

Our 1.8m round hot tub comfortably seats up to 4 people. The ergonomically designed benches at 280mm height and 290mm width are sized to seat adults comfortably for extended sessions. The water depth of 96cm provides full immersion when seated.

If you choose the wood-burning stove option, no electricity is required to heat the water. However, a 230V power supply is useful for lighting, accessories, or if you add an optional electric heater at a later stage. If you choose the electric heater option, a dedicated electrical circuit must be installed by a certified electrician. Hydro massage systems, LED lighting, and filtration units also require electrical connection. We will advise you on the specific electrical requirements for your chosen configuration when you order.

For hot tubs used regularly, water maintenance is important for hygiene and comfort. With a wood-burning stove setup and no filtration, the simplest approach is to drain and refill after every few uses — typically every one to two weeks depending on how many people use it and how frequently. For more regular use, adding a filtration system and using appropriate water care products such as chlorine or bromine at low doses is recommended. A full water change every four to six weeks is typical for tubs with filtration. The smooth fiberglass interior is easy to wipe down between uses.

A stable, level surface is important for a hot tub. Options include a concrete slab, paving slabs, compacted gravel, or a purpose-built timber deck. The surface must be able to support the combined weight of the tub, the water, and the people using it — which for a 1,100-litre tub can exceed 1,500kg when fully loaded. If you are unsure whether your intended location is suitable, contact us before ordering and we can advise.

Hot tubs are delivered fully pre-assembled on a specialist delivery vehicle. They are offloaded at curbside using a tail lift. Each unit weighs approximately 200kg when empty and can typically be moved to its final garden position by several people with adequate planning. If access to your garden is restricted, please contact us in advance so we can discuss solutions including crane options.

All hot tubs come with a 24-month manufacturer’s warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship under normal residential use. Full details of what is and is not covered are available on our Manufacturers Warranty page.