There’s no need to go to the gym to enjoy a relaxing sweat session. Outdoor home saunas come in a variety of styles to provide the perfect sauna experience without having to leave your home.
What is a Sauna?
A sauna is a free-standing building or small room heated from 100 to 140 degrees. Saunas generate sweat by combining heat and steam in the room. Wet saunas produce moist, heated air. Typically, when using outdoor saunas, people sit for 20 minutes and let their bodies perspire.
Benefits of Saunas
Many people find saunas a health benefit, aiding in circulation, relaxation, detoxification, and pain relief. Some studies show that saunas can also be beneficial to the respiratory system. Having a sauna at home provides relaxation without going to a spa or gym. Homeowners can install saunas inside a home or construct one to use outdoors. Someone with some DIY skills can easily install one themselves.
Cons of Saunas
While saunas can have many health benefits, there are some cons to consider. A steam sauna tends to develop mold and mildew, so be careful to clean the sauna frequently using recommended cleaning agents.
Wood-Fired Saunas
Wood-fired saunas have a traditional Finnish feel. Users can install these saunas anywhere without worrying about access to electricity. This sauna uses a wood-burning stove to heat the room. Users typically pour or sprinkle water on hot rocks in this sauna to produce moisture. This type of sauna usually is purchased in a kit that requires two people to assemble it.
Infrared Saunas
In an infrared sauna, the heat comes from infrared light. Ceramic heaters or carbon fibres usually produce this light inside the sauna. This infrared light helps work up a sweat with temperatures that aren’t as high as traditional saunas. While there are no hot rocks to pour water on, this type of sauna is relatively inexpensive and easy to install.
Barrel Saunas
One of the reasons that barrel saunas are popular is because they are easy to install. They have two round ends and planks that fit around the ends. Homeowners nail and strip them into place. Usually, a barrel sauna comes with an electric stove to heat it to the appropriate temperature.
Sauna Cabin
A sauna cabin is similar to a barrel sauna, but with a different look. These cabin-looking saunas can be equipped with either infrared heaters or either electric or wood stoves, depending on the model.
Wood-Fired Home Sauna Heater
Homeowners who want to make their outdoor sauna can build a structure and purchase a wood-burning sauna heater to put in it. Check local building codes and consider where the sauna will go. Other items that homeowners need to consider are the chimney, intake vents, and stovetop construction. Homeowners want to ensure that the sauna is safe for anyone who might use it.
A sauna can be a relaxing way to work up a sweat and feel both invigorated and cleansed. There’s no need to go to a gym for a sauna, as they can be installed at your home.
