Sweet Sweat Rooms

Saunas are as varied and as accessorized as the people who love them.

As far as we know, saunas have been around since shortly after the discovery of fire. With that ingredient, even cave dwellers had all they needed—namely, a room or cave and a pile of rocks. All they had to do was light the fire under the rocks, put the fire out, and voilà, they had created the first smoke sauna and found a new way of relaxing their minds and bodies. Fortunately, the industry has evolved so you don’t have to live in a cave (or hunt your own dinner) to enjoy the benefits of a sauna.

Today, traditional and infrared saunas are in more homes and backyards than smoke versions, which are still popular among some purists. While the word “sauna” covers quite a bit of heat-bathing territory, these two styles dominate the industry. Only the steam sauna, referred to as “traditional sauna,” still uses heated rocks and water to create the desired room humidity. The therapeutic benefits of both types are similar in their use of controlled heat to stimulate circulation, soothe pain and joint stiffness, increase cardiovascular activity, and activate perspiration, releasing bodily toxins through sweat.

Traditional saunas use a heater to warm the entire room; bathers sit in the heated room to reap its benefits. Dry saunas typically employ a stove heater, sometimes topped with heat-transferring rocks, and build the room temperature to about 175 to 200 degrees F. Some traditional sauna heaters are built to accommodate steam, created when a bather ladles water over the heated rocks. Steam can add to the sauna experience, helping bathers sweat out impurities as the heat warms their skin.

The popularity of infrared saunas, which rely on infrared emitters to heat bathers directly rather than the traditional method of heating the entire room, is due in part to their lower power needs and use of far infrared radiation—the same heat provided by the sun—which can offer a more focused, penetrating heat. Temperatures in these saunas, which usually run between 120-140 degrees F, are typically 50 degrees cooler than in traditional saunas, but bathers sweat about the same in both.

The availability of shapes, sizes, and appearances even among these two leading styles are as varied as the bathers who use them. Buyers can choose from a basic sauna to one complete with a full range of entertainment options—TVs, DVD and MP3 players, color therapy or low-voltage decorative lighting, etc. The ease of customization broadens a sauna’s appeal, making it whatever a buyer wants it to be. Relax in peaceful quiet while taking a soak, or watch your favorite movie in surround sound. We're pretty sure you’ll sweat just the same.

5 Things to Know Before You Buy

Location. Know your available space and consider its floor. Some sauna models include subfloors; many more use an existing floor.

Materials. For traditional and infrared saunas, you want a soft wood—western red cedar is the industry standard—preferably knot-free with a high percentage of vertical grain.

Power Availability. Most infrared models use a standard wall outlet’s 110-volt hookup. The majority of traditional steam saunas require a 240-volt hookup (the same circuit required for a clothes dryer).

Ease of Installation. Prefab models may sound as though there’s hardly any work involved, but some require you to assemble benching, hang a door, or level a floor. Knowing your skill level now will save time and expense later.

Get to Know Your Dealer. You want a dealer who can and will handle any problems that may arise during installation or after the sale. Ask as many questions as you can think of, go over the warranty, and ask for recommendations on accessories, styles, and options.

Photo courtesy of Finlandia.