What’s Difference of Sauna Versus Steam Room?

Saunas and steam rooms are often referred to in the same context which suggests that they are similar. This is a common, but inaccurate misconception and one that will be remedied here.

Both saunas and steam rooms have many health benefits and these benefits are generally reaped by increasing the temperature of the human body to encourage the opening of pores and the process of sweating. Most medical workers and fitness trainers agree that there can be a health gain when subjecting the human body to this kind of environment for short periods of time.

The potential benefits of this “artificially induced” raising of the body’s temperature include, an increase in blood circulation, detoxification of the skin and body, the relieving of muscular tension, cleansing of the skin and a general bodily state of relaxation.

The differences

The main difference between a sauna and a steam room is the way in which the body’s temperature is raised.

A sauna generates dry low humidity heat that sees temperatures in excess of 80 degrees centigrade. These temperatures sound incredibly high, but with almost no moisture in the air they are tolerable and cause the body to sweat profusely. This sweating process is encouraged by the lack of humidity which enables the air in the sauna to swallow up any moisture (i.e. sweat) released in to it.

A  steam room works in a completely different way and uses much lower temperatures combined with very high humidity to make the body feel hot and sweaty. Steam rooms usually run at about 40 degrees centigrade, but the high humidity (which makes it harder for the body to sweat) makes them feel much hotter.

Put in simple terms, a sauna uses very hot dry air, whilst a steam room uses a combination of heat and moisture to create a very humid environment.

Other big differences between the two systems relate to the ways in which a sauna and steam room are fitted and used.
A sauna sees its users seated on wooden benches and usually taking repeated sauna sessions separated by short periods of “cooling off” time. Saunas can accommodate multiple people depending upon their size and design. The sauna walls are usually lined with seasoned wood and a “stove style” heater provides the energy source. The “dry” heat is generated from “hot” rocks place on top of the stove.

By contrast, steam showers tend to be for single session use and take an individual bather. The cubicle is sealed to make it air and moisture retentive and the shower will be tiled or manufactured from an encapsulated plastic material. A steam generator is used to create the moist and humid atmosphere, although “actual steam” (which would be 100 degree centigrade) is never used.

Which is best?

There is no definitive answer as to whether a steam room or a sauna is superior. Both achieve a similar sensation, but in very different ways.

Saunas certainly encourage a higher level of sweating resulting in greater weight loss (and the need for liquids to be taken). Furthermore, a number of sauna sessions can be taken one after another to intensify the “heat up” and “cool down” experience.

On the downside, a home sauna can be an expensive and “space demanding” luxury, whilst a steam room can be part of a modern multi-purpose shower cubical.

A steam room can alos be ready to use in seconds whilst a sauna requires preparation in the form of heat-up time and much higher runing costs.

By Martin Lambert

You Could Build Your Sauna Room Today

We have all heard about the wonders that staying for a few hours in a sauna can provide for the well-worn person. While there are many ways that you can enjoy these benefits of soaking the steam into your body the best way is to build sauna room units. You will be able to find different companies that will provide you with various sized pre-cut sauna rooms.

Some of these companies will also help you with the assembling of the sauna room that you need. You can also find various manuals and articles that will detail the process of how to build sauna rooms in your home. A few of these materials can be found on the internet and in other cases you can find books on building saunas at your local library and book shops.

The best way to build sauna rooms is to look for a good location for the sauna. The location of the sauna room is important for many reasons. One such reason is if it is outside, separate from the house, how likely is it that it will get used.

You can find the various items and materials that you need for the sauna from companies that supply water resistant wood. Often times you can find everything you need at your local Home Depot.

To build sauna rooms, the best type of wood that you can purchase and place within the sauna is that of Cedar wood. This wood is water repellent by nature and it is also stain resistant. You will also be able to clean the sauna once you have finished using it without any problems arising due to the wood not withstanding the clean.

Additionally you will need to locate stones that have the ability to withstand the constant heating and cooling that is needed in a sauna. Hence when you are purchasing these sauna stones to you should purchase good caliber Finnish stones. Finnish stone have a great reputation to withstand the heating elements.

The roof of the sauna should be high enough so that the heat will not press too much on you. You can make this roof level, which is about seven to eight feet, above the ground of the sauna. You will have to ensure that when you are about to build sauna shed that any metallic pieces are not showing or jutting outside into the sauna itself.

For the assorted inhabitants of the sauna you will need to provide long and wide benches. These benches should be connected to the walls in a way where you won’t have any problems with the benches moving aside.

The benches can be made to many different specs. There are benches that are long thin cuts with spaces in between each of them. They have solid flat benches. When it comes to the benches it is all a matter of preference. One thing I would suggest is to always have two benches at different levels. One of the main reasons is that the temperature level is different depending on what bench you are occupying.

Now, if all this sauna building seems to be to much you may feel less stress when you purchase a ready to assemble sauna. However, all the fun is in learning and building the sauna yourself.

By Bowe Packer

Important Tips When Buying an Infrared Sauna For Your Home

Perhaps you’ve recently stayed in a luxury hotel that offered a fantastic spa and sauna to help you relax to the fullest during your vacation. Or maybe you’re a member of a nearby gym that offers access to a sauna. Now, just imagine having your very own home sauna to enjoy each evening after a hard day’s work! With today’s new technology and a reasonable investment based on the type of sauna you want, you can easily have a top quality infrared sauna of your own.

Finnish culture has promoted the idea of saunas for years. Relaxing in a sauna has become an important part of the Finns’ culture, and it’s an activity meant for the entire family to enjoy. In fact, their culture supports one sauna for every 2.6 people. That’s a lot of saunas! They realize that infrared saunas benefit everyone and help to wind down after a hard day’s labor.

Far infrared (FIR) saunas are not only for relaxation and enjoyment. They also offer various health benefits such as pain relief and muscle relaxation, heavy perspiration to release toxins from the body, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, weight loss, etc. So if you’re ready to take the next step and buy an infrared home sauna of your own, here are some important factors to consider.

Do You Want an Indoor or Outdoor Sauna?

If you have enough room inside your home, you can assemble the infrared sauna indoors. Maybe you have an extra bedroom that’s being used as a workout room with exercise equipment. An infrared sauna will make an excellent addition to your family gym. Maybe you have a very large bathroom with some extra space for a sauna. In or near a bath area would be a logical choice because you must rinse off in a shower after exiting the sauna. If you have no room indoors or prefer the outdoors, consider adding a small outdoor shower near the sauna to simplify sauna use. Keep in mind that outdoor saunas are treated and constructed in a different manner than indoor infrared saunas.

Pre-assembled Saunas

If you want an easy, affordable way to set up an infrared sauna at your home, opt for a pre-assembled sauna. This type of home sauna will arrive as a kit or in panel form with detailed instructions, so you can easily assemble it yourself. To install the sauna, you’ll simply piece the sides together using slots, install any windows or doors, and install the roof and bench. These saunas are manufactured in various sizes and shapes to fit your tastes and room size requirements. Some companies that manufacture carbon infrared saunas offer different types of wood for their saunas such as red cedar, hemlock, spruce, aspen or redwood. Red cedar wood is preferable because it is durable, resistant to decay, aromatic and can withstand harsh weather conditions (for outdoor saunas). Red cedar wood is also pleasing to the eye, providing added beauty for your home decor.

Carbon or Ceramic?

There are still more choices when buying a home sauna. You must choose whether to settle for a ceramic sauna or to opt for the higher end carbon infrared sauna. Though both types offer benefits, the carbon-based sauna usually offers better heat distribution, lower surface temperatures, more flexibility which helps minimize the potential for damage during shipping, and a solid wood construction. You should compare these two options in detail before making a decision. Keep in mind that carbon saunas offer more added features such as chromotherapy, or light therapy to bring balance and tranquility to your mind and body, tempered tinted glass, a thick tongue and groove, seamless design, and interior entertainment such as a CD player, radio or DVD player.

Features that may affect the cost of your sauna include luxury lighting packages, ceiling vents, adjustable timers and temperature, oxygen ionizer, soft touch control panels, how much seating room (2 person sauna or 3 or more people) you’ll need, and what type of warranty is offered by the manufacturer or retailer. Look for saunas that provide a lifetime warranty if possible. This gives you peace of mind knowing the company stands behind their products.

Start enjoying infrared sauna benefits today, and use these tips to buy a home sauna that will bring family enjoyment for years to come!

By Chris Roberton

Building a Home Sauna Room From a Kit

We have all heard about the wonders that staying for a few hours in a sauna can provide for the well-worn person. While there are many ways that you can enjoy these benefits of soaking the steam into your body the best way is to build sauna room units. You will be able to find different companies that will provide you with various sized pre-cut sauna rooms.

Some of these companies will also help you with the assembling of  the sauna room  that you need. You can also find various manuals and articles that will detail the process of how to build sauna rooms in your home. A few of these materials can be found on the internet and in other cases you can find books on building saunas at your local library and book shops.

The best way to build sauna rooms is to look for a good location for the sauna. The location of the sauna room is important for many reasons. One such reason is if it is outside, separate from the house, how likely is it that it will get used.
You can find the various items and materials that you need for the sauna from companies that supply water resistant wood. Often times you can find everything you need at your local Home Depot.

To build sauna rooms, the best type of wood that you can purchase and place within the sauna is that of Cedar wood. This wood is water repellent by nature and it is also stain resistant. You will also be able to clean the sauna once you have finished using it without any problems arising due to the wood not withstanding the clean.

Additionally you will need to locate stones that have the ability to withstand the constant heating and cooling that is needed in a sauna. Hence when you are purchasing these sauna stones to you should purchase good caliber Finnish stones. Finnish stone have a great reputation to withstand the heating elements.

The roof of the sauna should be high enough so that the heat will not press too much on you. You can make this roof level, which is about seven to eight feet, above the ground of the sauna. You will have to ensure that when you are about to build sauna shed that any metallic pieces are not showing or jutting outside into the sauna itself.

For the assorted inhabitants of the sauna you will need to provide long and wide benches. These benches should be connected to the walls in a way where you won’t have any problems with the benches moving aside.

The benches can be made to many different specs. There are benches that are long thin cuts with spaces in between each of them. They have solid flat benches. When it comes to the benches it is all a matter of preference. One thing I would suggest is to always have two benches at different levels. One of the main reasons is that the temperature level is different depending on what bench you are occupying.

Now, if all this sauna building seems to be to much you may feel less stress when you purchase a ready to assemble sauna. However, all the fun is in learning and building the sauna yourself.

By Bowe Packer