Sauna foundation in MA: crushed stone + pavers vs small platform deck?
I’m installing an outdoor barrel sauna in Massachusetts, so it will see snow, freeze/thaw cycles, and wet shoulder seasons. The sauna is going behind our house on a gentle hill. I’ve excavated the slope to create a flat area and am building a pressure-treated perimeter for the foundation.
My current plan is:
- Non-woven geotextile fabric
- Compacted 3/4" crushed stone (4-6" depth)
- Concrete pavers or patio blocks under the sauna support cradles
The question is whether I should stop there or build a small wooden platform/deck on top of the stone base.
For a barrel sauna in this climate, is a compacted crushed-stone base with pavers under the cradles enough, or would a raised wood platform be better?
My main concerns are:
- Keeping the sauna bottom/cradles drier
- Better airflow under the barrel
- Reducing ground moisture exposure
- Stability during freeze/thaw
- Whether a platform would feel noticeably warmer underfoot in winter
- Snow sitting around the base for long periods, sometimes 18" or more
Would a low platform/deck meaningfully improve the setup, or am I overthinking it as long as the stone base drains well and the cradles sit on level pavers?
Any experience with barrel saunas in snowy climates would be appreciated.