About saunas

Originally developed centuries ago in Finland, saunas are now a popular method of relaxation around the world. They’re used both in private homes and for commercial use in places like gyms, health clubs, and spas.

Saunas are essentially just heated rooms, often made of wood, that reach temperatures between 150 and 195 degrees. This extreme heat is bearable because saunas allow the user to control the amount of humidity, keeping it relatively low. Depending on the model, humidity can range anywhere from 10 to 60 percent.

Besides just relaxation, saunas offer a variety of health benefits, including weight loss, pain relief, and detoxification. Despite the extreme temperatures, they’re completely safe when installed and used properly.

Types of saunas
Saunas are sold in a variety of sizes, shapes and designs. Varieties include custom built, precut, modular, and portable.

• Custom-built saunas are constructed by professionals as a permanent fixture in a home or business.
• Precut sauna kits allow for self-installation of fixed-size saunas.
• Modular saunas are freestanding units that come pre-assembled. They can technically be moved, although they’re generally designed to be left in one place.
• Portable saunas are much smaller and require virtually no installation, just an electrical outlet. They even come in single person fold-up varieties.

Saunas can come with a variety of amenities. Basic models might have little more than a heating source and a place to sit, but on the opposite end of the luxury scale, they can be equipped with TVs, MP3 plug-ins, LED lighting, and "front porches." Saunas can also be designed for indoor or outdoor use.

One of the first and most important decisions to make when choosing a sauna for your home or business is the heating source. A few of the most popular, along with their benefits and drawbacks, include:

• Electric saunas comprise the vast majority of modern, in-home saunas. They use electric heaters to warm the air inside, and have grown popular for their practicality. They usually also have temperature displays and remote controls. Some incorporate water; others don’t.
• Wood burning are the oldest and most traditional of the sauna varieties. They fell out of fashion for a time after electric saunas were invented, but have seen a resurgence in popularity. The air is heated by burning wood underneath a pile of rocks, and then water is poured on the rocks to control humidity. It’s tougher to control the temperature in wood burning saunas and they take longer to heat up, but some people prefer the ambiance created by a real fire. They come in both residential and commercial models.
• Infrared saunas use radiant heat rather than fire or electricity, meaning they heat objects (people) inside instead of the air. Also called heat therapy rooms, these are the most modern, energy efficient, and quickest to heat. However, they’re not as effective for uses like weight loss and detoxification because they don’t incorporate water.
• Gas-heated saunas are an alternative to electrical varieties that are more practical for commercial use because they’re less expensive to operate for continuous use.

Steam rooms, often confused with saunas, are similar but not quite the same. The produce moisture, not just the typical dry heat of a sauna. They tend to have lower temperatures, reaching around 120 degrees, but humidity as high as 100 percent.

Choosing the right sauna
There are many factors to consider before shopping for a sauna. Some are obvious: How do you plan to use it? For commercial or residential purposes? How many people does it need to seat at one time? Others take a little more thought:

• Do you want it to be indoors or outdoors?
• If it’s an in-home sauna, do you want it to be private or open to guests? Would you prefer it in a master bathroom or outside in a social area?
• Do you have space inside an existing room for the sauna, or will the project involve some type of construction?
• Is the space you’ve selected at least six feet wide and seven feet tall (except with portable saunas)?
• If the sauna is located inside, does the room have proper ventilation? Windows? An electrical outlet nearby?

If you’re building a new home or business, The North American Sauna Society recommends having a custom sauna designed into the plan by an architect. A custom sauna or precut sauna kit can also easily be tied into a remodeling project.

When you’re trying to incorporate a sauna into an existing home or building, a freestanding modular is often the better choice. Unlike custom varieties, they offer greater flexibility when it comes to placement. Modular saunas can go in a garage, basement or other non-traditional space.

Businesses like spas or health clubs that cater to a large customer base will likely need a custom-built sauna, although smaller establishments may be able to find a modular variety that’s large enough to meet customers' needs.

For electric models, another important choice is the size of the heater. It needs to be appropriate for the size of the sauna in order to work safely and properly. Heaters vary from 1.5 to 15 kilowatts. Talk to a dealer ahead of time to make sure the heater you choose is a good match for the size of your sauna.

Cost
Saunas vary widely in price depending on the type, size, and features. Fold-up, one-person saunas start at around $300. Two-person, 4-by-4 foot precut models start somewhere in the neighborhood of $1,800.

Modular saunas typically start at around $3,000, but it’s not uncommon for them to run upwards of $7,000. The cost for these models is also highly dependent on the features you select: the type of wood, controls, doors, etc.

When it comes to custom builds, the price is difficult to estimate because of all the variables that go into a project’s cost. Aside from factors like size and quality of materials, some installations are more difficult than others. Expect to spend $10,000 or more for residential custom-builds and significantly more for commercial. Commercial heaters alone can cost $3,000 and more.

If you’re buying an electric or gas-heated sauna, it’s important to factor in the cost of operation. For electric saunas, the cost of use can be estimated based on the cost per kilowatt-hour found on your electric bill. Multiply that number by the number of kilowatts on your heater. For example, if you pay 10 cents per kilowatt-hour with an 8-kilowatt heater, the sauna will cost 80 cents per hour to run.

Installation
Custom-built saunas most always require professional installation, and most dealers offer that service for an additional fee.

Precut sauna kits can be self-installed, but the North American Sauna Society cautions that it can’t be done without some basic carpentry skills. Precut saunas can be installed into existing framed walls (i.e. an existing walk-in closet) or built using walls that are framed specifically for that purpose (the corner of an exercise room). Dealers usually offer some design help free of charge, but anyone who lacks basic carpentry skills should look to a professional for help.

With modular and portable units, no carpentry skills are required, so these are the easiest to self-install. They typically come with detailed instructions, including what is required for space, frame and insulation. But pre-planning is a must. Contact a dealer early in the process and ask for advice.

With any type of sauna, it’s important to pick a location with a flat surface and waterproof floors. Generally, ceilings need to be at least seven feet high and six feet wide, unless you’re in the market for a portable. Keep in mind that the space needs to be large enough to account for the door swinging out. Any necessary wiring should be left in the hands of a qualified electrician.

Buying tips

• If you’re looking to build a sauna as part of a remodeling or new construction project, talk to a sauna dealer as early in the process as possible. This will save you time and expensive last-minute changes down the road.
• If you choose an electric sauna, have an electrician verify that your breaker has enough power to handle it. Make sure the heater and control are UL listed for safety.
• Never try to do a self-installation unless you know what you’re doing. It may be more expensive in the end to have a professional come out and fix your mistakes than to hire one in the first place.