Whats Your Sauna Persona?
By Breanne Cook and Genevieve Shope
From Finland to France, China to Canada, saunas have become a worldwide luxury…and a daily habit. Millions of people enjoy the socialization, soothing heat and relaxing effects of these sweat-inducing Shangri-Las. And with a bit of planning and a few key decisions, you can, too - in your own home or backyard.
A sauna consists of a room or shelter with wooden walls, floor and ceiling, usually made of cedar, spruce or redwood because of their ability to absorb heat and moisture without being hot to the touch. Units range from small add-on kits, which transform a small closet into a cozy two-person retreat, to large, freestanding units capable of holding eight or more people.
All saunas provide great benefits -- heating the body with a powerful yet contained source to cleanse the skin, refresh the psyche and possibly offer other health benefits. But how they do it is distinguished by their heat source.
What Type?
Traditional "rock" saunas employ volcanic rocks or ceramic stones, piled in a thick layer atop a stove heater to create a dry heat. Maximum temperature is usually 175 - 200 degrees F. Some models accommodate lyöly, or rising vapor within the sauna, created when users ladle water over the heated rocks. Some sauna enthusiasts consider löyly an essential part of the traditional sauna experience, adding a custom level of humidity to the otherwise dry heat.
Fuel for these stove-style heaters can range from wood to gas, but modern saunas typically use electric heaters. These units require a 220-volt hookup, which must be hardwired to the unit by a licensed electrician. To decrease warm-up time and increase energy efficiency, look for heaters with a high rock capacity, as these are what radiate the heat throughout the room.
Infrared saunas use special lamps and heaters to produce infrared rays, which penetrate the skin to offer the deep radiant heat of the sun -- without the harmful effects of UV rays. Unlike traditional saunas, heaters in infrared saunas cannot accommodate steam; however, the penetrating heat of the long wavelengths produced is thought to provide a more thorough body-cleansing experience. Infrared saunas reach a lower maximum temperature -- around 140 - 160 degrees F -- but require only 110 volts to power the heater, so these units can usually be powered by any household outlet.
Buying Considerations
Unique designs and an array of options allow buyers to create the perfect sauna for their home. In addition to the wood used in its construction and the type of heater, buyers should consider the following options before making a purchase:
• Size. How many people will use the sauna? Residential saunas typically range from 4 by 6 feet to 6 by 8 feet, and seat up to four people comfortably. A couple may want to consider a smaller, more intimate sauna, while larger families may want to invest in a bigger unit. Keep in mind that heat rises, so taller saunas will require more energy to heat.
• Seating. Will the sauna users want to sit up or recline in the heat? While several seating styles are available, typical saunas feature bench seats. To enhance the experience, consider multi-level bench seating, which allows users to select the hotter, upper-level bench or cooler, lower-level bench.
• Structure. How much space is available for the sauna and how will it be constructed? Precut kits contain everything needed to transform the inside of a framed, insulated and wired space into a hot haven. They also allow the handy homeowner to build the sauna over a weekend or two. Keep in mind that a professional may still be needed to hook up a power source and ensure proper ventilation. Prefabricated kits include complete, freestanding pieces that quickly snap together; these prewired units can be installed and running within a few hours. Modular units -- prebuilt, freestanding and mobile -- can be moved easily. Custom-built saunas, usually permanent structures, tend to become the focal point of the home or backyard.
• Features. Much like any other home addition, the sky's the limit when it comes to sauna accessories and accoutrements. Glass doors and windows have become increasingly popular, creating an open and airy feeling within the sauna. Sharp angles and etched glass can help establish a modern look. Create a desired atmosphere with a variety of accessories, including LED lighting, head and leg rests, seat coverings, aromatherapy products, audio systems, towel hangers, thermometers, timers, hydrometers to measure humidity and more.
• Cost. Sauna cost depends on a variety of factors, including quality, size, wood, heater, accessories and construction. Prices range from $1,000 for a basic unit to $10,000 and above for customized saunas, but it's a small price to pay for the added home value -- and added quality of life.
After all of the important decisions have been made, users will be able to sit back and enjoy a variety of health and relaxation benefits in the privacy of their own homes. The body will perspire, the mind will be at ease and conversation will flow as the sauna heats things up!
Saunas 'Round the World
Some facts about how saunas are experienced outside the U.S.:
Finland: In its birthplace, the sauna (pronounced "sow-nah") holds a special place in society. Not just a luxury item, the sauna is known to host family or social gatherings and business meetings. In fact, there are more than 2 million saunas in Finland -- more than one for every three people!
Russia: Called "banias," saunas here feature temperatures as high as 300 degrees F; as a result, users must wear a special cap to shield their ears from the extreme heat. Russians traditionally have two types of banias: the black bania, which allows smoke inside the enclosure to build heat more efficiently, and the white bania, which features steam as its essential element.
Native Americans were enjoying the sauna experience before there was an official America…and still do. In Indian culture, the "sweat lodge" is a small, dome structure that serves as a spiritual temple and place to cure illness and purify the soul. Because Christian settlers saw sweat lodges as a threat to their own culture, Native Americans were denied entrance to them -- eliminating a tradition that had been present in their societies for many generations. (Many tribes have since resumed the practice in either traditional "hot rock" or "direct fire" lodges.)