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Steam vs Sauna : Is a steam bath or sauna better for you?
There is sometimes confusion between the terms ‘steam bath’ and ‘sauna.’ Many people think they refer to the same thing. Not so. Even though they both are hot baths, a sauna uses dry heat while a steam bath uses moist heat. The sauna has very low humidity. This means it can be much hotter than a steam bath. Saunas are usually between 80°C and 100°C while a steam bath is usually about 40°C. If the steam bath was any hotter than this it could scald the skin, but the dry heat of the sauna is safe. Saunas are heated with stones placed on some kind of heater — usually electric…
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Not all sauna kits are created equal
There are several kinds of sauna kits, each designed for a different purpose. Lets first look at the different kinds of sauna kits. Then let’s look at some ways to compare them. PERSONAL/PORTABLE KITS: This is as simple as it gets. Most of these small saunas are for one person and come in 2 pieces that are easily attached. The pieces are designed to fit through doorways and take only a few minutes to put together before you are ready to go. Most are designed for inside but there are a few outside models available. These are complete units including heaters and benches (more like seats since there is no…
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Infrared or Conventional Sauna Heaters? Wet or Dry? Custom or Kit?
Sauna heaters determine the type of heat you get, the way you sweat and the way you design your sauna. This is an important decision and effects the planning of your custom sauna. Options include wood, gas, electric and infrared sauna heaters. Read on to get general information about options for heating your sauna and buying tips for specific types of heaters: Choosing the type of sauna heater should be one of your first jobs in designing a sauna. Here is some background information to help you decide if you want to go with a conventional sauna heater like wood, electric or gas. You may also want to consider the…
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Your sauna construction plans can take many forms
Quality sauna construction starts with the right custom sauna plans. With all the options how do you decide on the perfect plans for you? One way is to look at the important components of a custom sauna separately. After making a decision about each part, they can be looked at together to see if it works as a whole package. The best way to eat an elephant (build a sauna) is one bite at a time. Lucky for you sauna construction is not rocket science and a lot easier than eating an elephant. Coming up with custom sauna plans that are perfect for your situation will only take some thought.…
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Sauna construction should start with the right materials.
Sauna construction can’t start without deciding which materials to use whether you are building a custom sauna or a kit. It takes just as much work to put together a sauna with inferior materials as it does with quality materials. The end product will only be as good as the materials that go into it. With that in mind let’s look at which materials are most suitable for sauna construction. INTERIOR MATERIALS Wood continues to be the standard material for sauna interiors for several reasons. It absorbs excess steam and resists condensation. Wood contributes to the relaxed aesthetics, creating a warm and appealing space. Wood does not transmit temperature very…
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Custom sauna benches need to be sturdy, functional and attractive.
The right materials, design, and construction methods for your custom sauna benches will give you benches that are functional and beautiful. Your sauna construction plans should take the following ideas into consideration before starting on the benches. WHICH MATERIALS SHOULD YOU USE? Cedar is the wood of choice for custom sauna benches, also known as platforms. 1 x 4 or 2 x 4 is a good size lumber to use for sauna bench construction. Any wider and it tends to warp in the constantly changing conditions of a sauna. Any thinner is not practical. Use full lengths of clear knot-free lumber. Don’t splice boards together; the joint will never stay…
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Sauna benefits effect your skin, heart, muscles toxin levels and more.
To find out about sauna benefits like weight loss, detoxification, negative ions and blood pressure read on. The benefits of a sauna come about due to the way heat effects your body. Let’s start with a general explanation of what happens and then look at specific benefits of a sauna on your health. Before looking at the health benefits of a sauna any further I need to confess to not being a doctor, not playing one on TV or having much desire to be one. I wouldn’t mind the paycheck but not if it requires the associated responsibilities. The following information is a result of research on the Internet and…
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Far Infrared Saunas
far infrared sauna A relatively new type of sauna has emerged recently. This new sauna uses infrared heaters instead of traditional wood, electric or gas. Unlike traditional saunas infrared heaters only heat the people and objects – not the air. Proponents of infrared saunas say that they have even more therapeutic properties than traditional saunas. Tip! Clocks are a sauna accessories that can be very useful. Though not every unit comes with them, they can still be a great addition to your sauna experience. Infrared is a frequency band of light that is invisible to humans. The heat is sometimes called Infrared Radiation (IR) and is different than the Ultraviolet…
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Directions for using a sauna
Follow the right directions for using a sauna and you will improve your heart, skin, overall health and mental well-being. Everyone reacts differently to the environment in a sauna so there are no universal directions for using a sauna but there are guidelines to help you find what works best for you. The best directions for using a sauna come from the accumulated wisdom over time. Sauna use, in one form or another in many different cultures, has been documented for at least 2000 years. There must be real benefits to inspire such loyalty and longevity. If you have any doubts ask a sauna enthusiast. They will likely put a…
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Build your own sauna
It’s easier than you think to Build Your Own Sauna – The basics part two In the first part of how to build your own sauna, we looked at how to choose a location and get it ready by installing any necessary plumbing or electrical connections. You are now ready to build the actual sauna! If there is no existing framework you will have to install your own framing. Framework can be made from 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 lumber, spaced every 16 inches. The room needs to be insulated once the framing is in place. Insulation is placed between the framework studs in both the walls and…
