Key facts
- Almost Heaven barrels ship with a bituminous shingle roof kit.
- Redwood Outdoors ships asphalt shingles standard, with a thermowood beveled roof upgrade.
- Dundalk uses an EPDM membrane under its cedar bevel roof and also sells a 28 gauge metal roof.
- Dundalk manuals: ice and water shield, then shingles, and no nails through the steel bands.
Roof options compared (editorial)
| EPDM membrane | Metal | Asphalt shingles | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterproofing | Seamless, fully waterproof | Sheds rain and snow; seal fasteners | Good with ice and water shield beneath |
| Looks | Needs a cover or cladding | Adds a ridge profile | Traditional |
| Durability on the curve | Flexible, conforms | Rigid, long lived | Less durable on the curve |
| Cost | Not published | Not published | Cheapest; standard on many kits |
| Maker example | Dundalk cedar bevel roof | Dundalk 28 ga option | Almost Heaven, Redwood Outdoors |
Sources: Dundalk cedar barrel assembly manual; Redwood Outdoors; Sweat Decks overview. Pros and cons are our editorial judgment; no maker publishes test data comparing them.
How a barrel roof goes on
- Set the sauna on a firm, level base with a slight rear slope for drainage.
- For shingles, lay ice and water shield over the staves first.
- For EPDM, unroll the membrane over the top and pull it tight, then add the cover.
- Fasten only where the maker shows. Never through the steel bands.
- Inspect the roof each fall before the rainy season.
Related guides
- Outdoor saunas in rainy climates
- Outdoor sauna install cost breakdown
- Infrared vs traditional sauna for the Pacific Northwest
Frequently asked questions
What is the best roof for a barrel sauna?
There is no maker head-to-head data, so this is our editorial view. EPDM gives a seamless waterproof layer but usually needs a cover to look finished. Metal is rigid and sheds rain and snow well. Asphalt shingles are the cheapest and ship standard on many kits but are less durable on the curve. Follow your sauna maker's roof instructions.
Do barrel saunas come with a roof?
Many do. Almost Heaven barrels ship with a bituminous shingle roof kit, and Redwood Outdoors ships asphalt shingles standard with a thermowood beveled roof upgrade. Dundalk offers an EPDM membrane under its cedar bevel roof option and also sells a 28 gauge black metal roof and asphalt shingles.
What is an EPDM roof on a barrel sauna?
EPDM is a rubber membrane. Dundalk's cedar barrel manual has you unroll the EPDM membrane over the top and pull it tight under its cedar bevel roof. It is seamless and fully waterproof, but it is usually covered with cladding for looks. Reports of the Dundalk manual mention minor seepage that evaporates when the sauna heats, which we could not confirm directly.
Is a metal roof good for a barrel sauna in a rainy climate?
Editorially, metal suits wet and snowy climates because it is rigid, long lived and sheds water and snow, and it adds a ridge profile. Fasteners must be sealed, and they must not go through the steel bands that hold the barrel together. Dundalk sells a 28 gauge metal roof option for its barrels.
Are shingles OK on a barrel sauna?
They are the most common factory option. Almost Heaven and Redwood Outdoors both ship shingles standard. Dundalk's manuals describe ice and water shield first, then shingles, with no nails through the steel bands. Editorially, shingles are the cheapest choice but less durable on a tight curve than metal or a membrane.
Do I need a roof on a cedar barrel sauna at all?
In a wet climate, adding the maker's roof is our editorial recommendation. USDA Forest Products Lab data shows wood deteriorates faster in humid conditions, and even decay resistant cedar heartwood benefits from staying dry. A roof also protects the top staves, which take the most rain. Check what your maker offers and whether it affects the warranty.
Can I nail roofing through the barrel bands?
No. Dundalk's manuals say not to nail through the steel bands, and metal roof fasteners should not penetrate them either. The bands hold the staves tight as the wood swells and shrinks, so fastening through them can cause leaks or damage. Follow the roof instructions for your specific sauna.
Which barrel sauna roof is cheapest?
Asphalt shingles, in our editorial view, since they ship standard on many kits. We do not have published price figures for EPDM or metal roof upgrades, so ask your sauna maker for the cost of each option they sell. The cheapest roof is the one that comes in the box with your kit.
Keep reading
Browse our saunas collection, see all guides, or ask us a question about your project.