Sauna Buying Guide

A look at the different types of saunas Where does one begin when checking into the purchase of an indoor home sauna? Start here, of course, but consider a local home and garden show, too. You'll want to familiarize yourself with the types of home saunas because there are stark differences between traditional steam saunas and dry-radiant heat saunas. With a traditional home sauna, which dates to centuries ago, water is poured over mounds of hot rocks to produce steam to fill a room. The steam allows those sitting inside to sweat profusely. Temperatures can range from 160 to 180 degrees F. A more modern type of home sauna is the radiant, infrared sauna. Infrared saunas generate heat using an electric heating element that emits a ray that is directly absorbed by those sitting inside. The temperature inside an infrared sauna is much cooler than a traditional steam sauna - about 80 to 125 degrees F- but still is enough to cause profuse perspiration. It's recommended that three heaters be placed in a home infrared sauna - one in front, one in back, and one at the back of the user's legs. Rays from an infrared sauna heater have different wavelength measurements. Inexpensive home saunas with one or more infrared light bulbs are a little less effective at producing a healthy sweat. The wavelengths from heat produced by far-infrared (FIR) rods or panels are longer, and the rays are absorbed deeper into the body, thus manufacturing more sweat.

Look at different types of wood
The type of wood used for construction of a home sauna is important. Woods such as Christmas pine and redwood can produce odors that are unpleasant and even toxic. It's better to choose safer woods such as sitka, hemlock-fir (hem-fir), poplar, basswood, and spruce.

Another factor in selecting a sauna is the amount of time it takes to preheat a unit. Traditional home saunas use more electricity than infrared models and take longer to heat up. Radiant saunas need five minutes or less to preheat and use about 10 to 15 cents of electricity per half-hour of use.

Infrared saunas do a better job than traditional saunas of prohibiting the growth of bacteria, meaning cleaning is much easier - just a damp cloth is necessary. Bacteria is more likely to cultivate and spread in the humid air of a traditional sauna.

Where you want a sauna to be located will help you decide what type to purchase. Most infrared saunas are designed and warranted for indoor use only, while traditional saunas can be placed outdoors. Nancy Romer, a specialist with National Pool Wholesalers, identified the three most important considerations when selecting a home sauna to be service for your portable sauna, price, and availability.

Pre-cut and modular home kits
Saunas are available in a completely constructed form (known as modular saunas) or, for the handyman, in pre-cut sauna kits. Modular sauna kits are for those less handy with a hammer or saw. Pre-cut sauna kits require myriad directions for assembly. Modular sauna kits, on the other hand, are relatively easy to put together.

How much you're willing to spend also may determine what kind of sauna you'll select for your home. A pre-cut sauna kit can range from $3,500 to $7,000. Modular kits begin at around $4,000 and go up from there.

Regardless of the model of home sauna you select, the key is to seek out a reputable dealer that can answer your questions honestly and completely. Make sure you understand the warranty information and how you can get parts. Ask friends or relatives who have saunas for reviews or recommendations.

Once you've purchased your home sauna and get it installed, you'll be on your way to better health and improved life. Modern technology has paved the way to make saunas affordable to nearly every homeowner, so enjoy.