Designing and building a home sauna is no longer a pipe dream. If going to the beauty salon seems like a waste of time and too expensive, a home sauna will allow you to enjoy moments of peace and relaxation right in your own backyard.
What is a sauna?
A sauna is simply a room made of wood and glass, containing a stove that keeps the air warm and dry, meaning it’s free of steam.
A sauna can be thought of as a rectangular or square-shaped box that allows one or more people to sit comfortably on the steps for a limited time, 15-20 minutes maximum. Thanks to the heat generated inside, the human body sweats profusely, expelling accumulated toxins and a small percentage of fat. It’s a good idea to take a cold shower before and after the sauna, which provides a thermal shock to the body, improving and restoring blood circulation, but always without overdoing it.
Types of sauna: Finnish, infrared, biosauna
Having defined how saunas work on the human body, let’s now look at the types of saunas available on the market. You can choose from three sauna options: Finnish, infrared, and biosauna.
The Finnish sauna is the most classic and well-known model, used in both beauty salons and sports facilities. It is mostly made of untreated fir wood. Alternatively, birch, cedar, or Swiss pine can also be used.
The basic concept of the sauna is simple: the temperature rises to 80-100°C, increasing skin perspiration while maintaining constant humidity. If you want to increase humidity, the only way is to pour water on the hot stones. It is important to preheat the sauna at least 45-60 minutes before use.
The infrared sauna, on the other hand, does not require any preheating, as it uses radiation that is absorbed by the human body. Because the way it works is different, the effect on the body is also different: you won’t sweat as much, and the air inside the room will never reach the temperatures mentioned in a traditional sauna. The temperature reaches a maximum of 50°C in about 25 minutes.
A biosauna is a sauna suitable for the home. In this type, the temperature never exceeds 50-60°C, but the humidity is higher than traditional saunas, reaching 65-75°C.
Designing a sauna
When designing a home sauna, it’s important to keep a few key points in mind. First, consider the space available for each person. On average, the volume required for each person inside a sauna is about 2.5-3 cubic meters. Another factor to consider is the height, which is optimal if between 2-2.3 meters. The minimum surface area for a sauna is 4 square meters (2×2 meters), to ensure proper functioning.
Location is important, especially if it’s located inside the home. In this case, the room must be able to install high-quality ventilation and a drain to ensure water drainage.
Sauna Ventilation
The first point to consider when designing a sauna is the ventilation system: proper ventilation is one of the most important and delicate aspects for proper operation and to avoid potential problems such as mold and mildew, uneven heating, or rapid cooling, and to prevent conditions that pose a health risk.
Incorrect positioning of the ventilation system valves must be absolutely avoided, and the system must be designed based on the model of the heater it will be installed in.
For this reason, a proper ventilation system is characterized by four valves:
The drying valve, which is closed during heating and sessions, but opens to dry the air and the room after use;
The main valve for exhausting hot air from the sauna and must be open during use;
The inlet valve for forced mechanical ventilation;
The supply valve for natural ventilation.
The first two valves are responsible for the exhaust of already heated air, while the last two supply oxygen-saturated air from outside. Being positioned on opposite sides of the sauna, they ensure the proper circulation of hot and cold air currents.
Sauna Thermal Insulation
The second important element is insulation. It serves to maintain constant high temperatures over time, prolonging the life of the appliance, since maintaining a constant temperature for a long time means the heater will be used less often. The final benefit of good insulation is the protection of the interior materials from humidity.
Building the Sauna Base
The third step is the construction of the base, or frame, onto which the wooden panels will be attached. Pine is used for the base, as it is the best choice and offers a good quality-price ratio. Depending on whether it is used for the base of the walls or the floor, the pine frame has two different dimensions: in the first case, they are 18×45 cm, while in the second case, they are 45×90 cm, as it must be more resistant and able to support a greater load.
Next, the cladding panels are installed, also strictly made of wood. This is followed by the creation of the benches, or seats. The width of the benches is never less than 60 cm, to allow for comfortable sitting and lying, at a height of 60-70 cm from the floor. The backrest must be at least 30 cm wide.
Sauna Elements
In addition to the elements that make up the sauna’s structure and systems, there are other important elements to choose from that are necessary for the sauna.
First, the choice of stove. This is the system responsible for producing heat. A wood-burning stove is usually used, but a gas burner or infrared lamps are also possible.
The shape of the stove varies depending on the type of sauna you’re creating. In a traditional Finnish sauna, you’ll need to make a hole in the wall for the burner or a grate for placing the firewood.
If you opt for an infrared sauna, you’ll use electrically powered infrared lamps, which means you won’t need to drill holes in the wall for stoves or braziers.
Other elements to consider when designing a home sauna include:
a thermometer, to monitor the temperature;
a humidity sensor, to maintain a constant humidity level during use;
an hourglass, useful for monitoring usage time, which, as mentioned, should not exceed 20 minutes;
Other elements include lamps, to also benefit from the chromotherapy function, and bowls of aromatic herbs for aromatherapy.
The benefits of the sauna
The benefits of a sauna are numerous, but three of the most obvious are: detoxifying, regenerating, and relaxing. A sauna is simply a type of steam bath that harnesses the power of water’s hydrothermal therapy. Different types of saunas are recommended depending on your needs. However, in general, each type of sauna offers the benefits of intense sweating, toxin elimination, skin cleansing, and improved circulation. Furthermore, the benefits can also be psychological and physical, as it is considered an excellent remedy for emotional tension and stress.
Types of sauna
Let’s now look at the different types of saunas available on the market.
Finnish Sauna
The Finnish sauna is the most well-known, as well as the most traditional and oldest type of sauna. The internal temperature ranges between 80°C and 100°C, with a low humidity of 10-20%. Guests should spend no more than 15 minutes in the room, wrapped in a towel.
The benefits to human physical and mental health are numerous: it cleanses the body of toxins, relaxes muscles, strengthens the immune system, tones and firms the skin, and ultimately improves blood circulation.
A variation of the traditional Finnish sauna is the Savu Sauna, also known as a smoke sauna. Inside the cabin is a large wood-burning stove without a chimney, which means that, at the right moment, the room is filled with smoke.
Biosauna
The biosauna, or sanarium, is characterized by a lower temperature than the Finnish sauna, around 50-60°C, but with a higher humidity level of 50%. In this type of sauna, you can spend up to 20 minutes inside. You can sit or lie down, and the cabins are filled with beneficial dried herbs.
This type of sauna is recommended as it has a perfect balance of heat and humidity. It also offers many physical benefits. For example, it promotes muscle relaxation, increases metabolism, combats symptoms of arthritis and rheumatic pain, relaxes muscles, and supports the immune system.
Infrared sauna
Unlike other types of sauna, this one does not exploit the beneficial effects of steam, but rather the heat produced by electromagnetic forces. The temperature inside this cabin is a maximum of 60°C, in dry air, with very little humidity. This allows a session to last up to 30 minutes.
Aromatherapy Herbal Sauna
Among the sauna variations, there’s also the aromatherapy one. In these types of saunas, dried herbs such as hay are added to the hot water, or natural essential oils are released into the cabin through the steam. The aromas have an immediate balsamic effect on the body. The temperature is around 40-60°C, but the humidity is very low. Despite this, a maximum of 15 minutes is recommended, preferably 10.
The benefits are the same as those found in a traditional sauna: purifying, eliminating toxins, muscle relaxation, reduction of muscle soreness, and a skin-purifying effect through dilation of pores and cell renewal.
Salt Sauna
Some beauty centers offer a salt sauna, or salt room, which takes advantage of the beneficial effects of Himalayan pink salt, found on the walls and surfaces of the room. In these sessions, you inhale sodium chloride, a salt-based salt rich in minerals and fluoride, calcium, iodine, and copper. The temperature and humidity in these rooms are not at all high. In this type of sauna, the benefits come not so much from the steam and heat, but from the sodium. The beneficial effects on human health are numerous: it strengthens the immune system, fights osteoporosis, facilitates blood circulation, and improves breathing.
Indian Sauna
The Indian sauna, or medicine hut, is a sauna typical of Hindu culture. Hot stones are placed in a hut or tent that is completely closed. This causes the temperature to rise quickly and causes considerable sweating.
Is a Turkish bath a sauna?
Especially in beauty centers, the Turkish bath is located in the sauna area, as it can be considered a wet sauna, but the differences lie in both the temperature and the percentage of humidity present.
Differences between Turkish baths and saunas
Temperature distribution: in the sauna, it is uniform; in the Turkish bath, it rises from the feet and is around 25-30°C, while in the upper areas, the area used as a Hammam, it is around 50-60°C.
Steam percentage: while in the sauna, it reaches a maximum percentage of 60%, in the Turkish bath it can reach 80-95%.
Internal air: in the sauna, it is dry; in the Turkish bath, it is humid.
Materials: the sauna is usually made of wood, the Turkish bath of stone and marble.
Massage: After the Turkish bath, a massage with the application of essential oils is usually performed to enhance the effect of the session.
The benefits of the Turkish bath are many: elimination of toxins thanks to excessive sweating, muscle relaxation, relief from dermatitis and skin rashes, and improvement in breathing and sinusitis symptoms.
Advantages and disadvantages of the sauna
Let’s review the advantages and beneficial effects of saunas on the body, and any contraindications.
Advantages
Sweating and a reduction in bloating;
Helps the body burn more calories;
Purifies the body of toxins and heavy metals;
Removes lactic acid;
Relieves stress and insomnia;
Purifies and cleanses the skin of impurities, toxins, and dead cells;
Aids in the prevention and treatment of dermatitis and acne;
Strengthens the immune and circulatory systems;
Helps eliminate fats from the blood;
Aids breathing.
Disadvantages
It is contraindicated in cases of heart disease, skin diseases, or venereal diseases. It is not recommended for unhealed wounds.
Home sauna prices
Typically, the cost of installing a Finnish sauna ranges from €1,100 to €2,000 for a two-person sauna, starting at €3,000 for a four-person sauna, and luxury saunas or those built on terraces can cost upwards of €5,000. Infrared saunas are slightly less expensive, costing around €1,000 for a two-person sauna.
It’s important to remember that tax deductions are always available for those renovating the home or space where the sauna will be installed. However, the installation of a sauna alone is not eligible for tax incentives or bonuses.
How much does a sauna cost?
Depending on the type of sauna you choose, energy consumption can vary.
If we consider a Finnish sauna, it has high electricity consumption. For a medium-large cabin, the minimum consumption is 4.5 kW, considering the time it takes to heat it.
If we analyze the energy consumption of an infrared sauna, however, we see how much lower it is compared to the previous model. Average consumption is around 2.2 kW.
For any questions or requests, it’s always best to consult with professionals and experts in the field, who will be able to advise and understand the needs of each individual customer.