How To Build Your Own Sauna

Tuesday, October 28, 2008 |

Saunas are becoming more and more popular worldwide. It’s no wonder that many people want to enjoy the benefits of their very own sauna, yet they don’t want to spend a small fortune to acquire one. If you consider yourself pretty handy, building a sauna for your home can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience that doesn’t break the bank. Before you begin you must make sure that the materials required fit into your budget and that you have ample space available for the sauna. One important question should be answered before you start your project.

How will you heat the sauna?

This is probably the most important question you should be asking yourself as it will determine many other factors.

For starters, there are many different types of heat you can use ranging from electricity, gas, or wood. The most popular choice is wood burning, as it provides a pleasant aroma and nostalgic atmosphere. However, you should know that there are drawbacks for going this route. First, a wood burning sauna uses wood. How will you acquire the wood? If you plan to purchase it, do you have enough money to continually buy wood throughout the year? How will you dispose of the ash? Do your local building regulations allow wood stoves? If not you may be in for a surprise. Also, many home-owners insurances do not provide coverage if you own a wood burning stove. For most, these drawbacks can be enough to deter them from owning a wood burning Sauna. There are other options though.

Electric stoves are becoming more popular for people that don’t want to deal with the hassles of wood. Electricity is also a very available form of heat, as nearly all homes already have electricity available. This makes it convenient for both indoor and outdoor saunas. Also, electricity is the primary form of heat that infrared saunas use. Infrared saunas produce radiant heat with special heaters that many people believe are much more beneficial than traditional saunas. If you plan to build an infrared sauna, electricity will probably be your source of heating.

Gas is also a very viable option for people as it is usually cheaper and more practical than both wood and electricity. Gas is fairly easy to obtain no matter where you live, and is for the most part, cleaner than both electricity and wood. If you choose to use gas as your sauna heating source, be sure to check the carbon monoxide levels around your home, or around the area you will be installing the Sauna.

Your decision on a heating source will also determine where you build and if it will be an indoor or outdoor sauna. Wood saunas are generally placed outdoors, as most owners do not want to deal with the inconvenience of hauling messy wood throughout the house. Your insurance policy may also require you to build the wood burning sauna outside, away from the home in a separate building.

The infrared heater is an ideal source of warm, penetrating, therapeutic heat. The cost of electricity to operate an infrared heater is extremely low. The infrared heater is designed to provide a clean and efficient heat source. The infrared heater is suggested for use in home saunas to ease many types of illnesses and medical conditions.

The infrared heater is good at heating objects rather than the air. The beauty of this infrared heater is that it heats you directly without using energy heating your surroundings. Although that does not mean that your surroundings do not get warm, however it does not get anywhere as hot as a traditional sauna

The cost of electricity to operate an infrared heater is very low. It also has a low installation cost. This is due to the fact that it is a vent free unit it requires no chimney or venting. The heater uses low amounts of energy and has the ability to heat quickly, at a very low cost.

The beauty with the infrared sauna heater is that it does not require constant maintenance. The heater itself heats very quickly, unlike sauna stones you do not have to keep throwing water on it which can save you having to sit there and worry about weather it is hot enough or not. Using the infrared heater you just sit back and relax.

The infrared sauna is gaining a major foothold in the sauna market, and for good reasons. The main powerhouse of the sauna, the infrared heater, contains a slew of health benefits and cost savings that anyone can learn to appreciate. In fact, medical centers and physical therapy clinics around the world realize these benefits and are using the infrared heater for advanced medical treatments. Even modern bathrooms have special infrared heaters installed above their bath or shower. Why are these small, yet effective heaters gaining so much popularity in households and businesses alike?

The infrared heater installed in a sauna or bathroom is an advanced piece of equipment that transfers infrared heat or light to an object directly in front of it. This method of heat transfer has 2 main benefits - efficiency and cost savings. Unlike a typical heater or "steam rock" sauna, where the surrounding air is heated and then transferred to our body, and infrared rays only heat the object in front of it, reducing the amount of heat lost through lower temperatures or large areas. This also allows the heater to operate at a much lower temperature and still remain effective. Infrared technology is also about 4-5 times more efficient than traditional methods of heating. Consuming less than 5 cents per kilowatt hour, the infrared heater is easy on the wallet. The infrared rays emitted by the heater are also natural, safe, and 100% hazardous free. Infrared is not ultraviolet light, and lies in a completely different part of the light spectrum - between visible and microwave frequencies. So people who are prone to skin cancer need not worry.

If you are lucky enough to own an infrared sauna, or even a ceiling mounted infrared heater, then you're in good hands. Infrared rays are known to easily penetrate the skin, up to 4 cm, which induces sweating and promotes positive cardiovascular reactions in the body. The process of sweating has many health benefits, but is mostly known for it's detoxification, purification, and beautifying of the skin. Infrared rays also dilate blood vessels deep beneath the subdermal layers of the skin, increasing blood flow, and strengthening the heart. Individuals who are physically handicapped appreciate the positive cardiovascular benefits of an infrared heater, and use them exclusively in physical therapy centers and clinics. A infrared sauna session is also a very therapeutic experience, relaxing both mind and body.

While having a sauna is a relatively simple idea there are various items that you will need to look for to make your sauna room work properly. One of these items is that of the sauna heaters. These heaters are needed to make sure the heat in the sauna is giving a consistent heat right throughout the entire sauna works well. You should look for the various sauna heaters that will work with your sauna.

These different saunas have different temperature settings that will allow you to set the sauna on a certain settings that will heat the sauna so that you will be able to enjoy the benefits of the sauna. These benefits include sweating profusely.

These heaters are needed to make sure the sauna becomes hot and stays heated at a certain temperature setting. You will need to look for sauna heaters that have the capability to work with your sauna.

Each sauna has different temperature settings that will allow you to set the sauna on a certain settings that will heat the sauna. The amount of heat that is indicated by the sauna thermometer will make these sauna heaters produce heat energy that will turn the water that is poured on the sauna rocks into a dry mist.

You will find various types of sauna heaters. Some of these heaters can be used by residences as well as commercial businesses. For this reason you will find the various sauna heaters come in many sizes and types. You will need to look at these heaters to see if you can find one that is compatible with the sauna that you have.

The residential sauna heaters are a small and ideal to have in your home. You will be able to find the residential sauna heaters in various sizes as well as types. You should see how much the various companies that make these sauna heaters will charge you for buying such a heater.

The sauna heaters that are used with commercial industries like hotels, exercise gyms, spas, clubs and other places have larger sized sauna heaters. These sauna heaters are capable of generating the amount of power that is needed for larger sized saunas. When you use these saunas heaters there is the assurance that the sauna is being provided with the right amount of power.

To find the best sauna heaters you will have to know the power wattage that your establishment can handle. You will also have to know what sort of sauna heaters your sauna requires. Once you have obtained this information you can ask for assistance to choose the sauna heaters that you require for your sauna needs.

While there are different types of saunas that you can use, you will need the best possible power outage to provide you with a high amount of dry heat for your sauna. The different sauna heaters that are available can help you to obtain the power and heat that you want for your sauna.

A sauna without a heater is simply a room made out of wood.

Currently there are four types of sauna heaters:

• electric heaters

• wood burning heaters

• infrared sauna heaters

• oil and gas heaters

Electric Sauna Heaters

Electric heaters are the most popular used in saunas.

They're easy to control with user friendly touch pads that include a timer and thermostat, and light switch,

They're also efficient and cost just pocket change to operate.

Electric heaters have controls that include a timer, thermostat, and light switch.

Wood Burning Sauna Heaters

If you have a house in the country or easy access to fire wood, a wood burning heater is a great choice for a sauna.

A wood heater may also be a good choice if you have an outdoor sauna.

Wood burning heaters don't allow you to set the temperature (electric heaters do).

Infrared Heaters

A sauna that uses infrared heaters is known as a far infrared sauna.

These heaters emit infrared rays that warm you directly. The surrounding air in an infrared sauna remains much cooler than hot air saunas.

Many people find infrared heat to be a more comfortable alternative to the hot air saunas.

Oil and Gas Sauna Heaters

Oil and gas heaters are the least popular heaters used in saunas.

One reason is because they're relatively inefficient compared to the others.

Some people even complain about the odor associated with the burning fuel. If they're properly vented, oil and gas heaters should have little or no unpleasant smell.

The use of the infrared sauna is increasing throughout the United States. Far more people are taking preventative action when it comes to their health. This has increased the demand on activity that can prevent future ailments. One of the tools been used in this preventative action is the infrared sauna, or more importantly the infrared sauna heater.

Infrared sauna heaters take less energy to heat, this results in delivering deep heat penetration with much less energy cost. FIR heat from the infrared heater passes deep into the body tissues where it can promote increased blood circulation and metabolism. The infrared sauna uses no steam. Because you can save money on installation you can splurge your money on some sauna accessories.

The biggest benefit of the infrared sauna heater is that the user is able to bathe for a longer period of time which results in greater heat therapy, deeper penetration and more sweating. In short it is not so much about the experience but what your body gets out of it.

The far infrared ray of light is a form of electromagnetic light energy just like that from the sun, however unlike the extreme sun rays the infrared radiation also known as FIR is harmless to human beings.

The cost of electricity to operate an infrared heater is very low. The average electrical cost is 5 cents per kw hour. The infrared sauna heater consumes 4-5 times less electricity than the conventional sauna. Infrared heater technology is completely healthy and safe for all living things. Although it is called a heater the technology uses infrared light characteristics to penetrate the body delivering many healthful benefits.

The heater is an essential part of a sauna. Heaters run on gas, electricity and wood. To enhance the life of the heater element, water should be used sparingly. The size of the sauna room determines the required number of heaters.

When searching for a sauna heater, there are several factors to keep in mind. To begin, you might want your heater to have 3-wall construction. This allows it to have a cooler surface temperature, which increases safety. Likewise, your sauna heater should be UL tested and listed.

Other indicators of quality heaters are that they have stainless steel elements, which aid in extending the life of the heater. Likewise, good heaters have a large rock capacity for heat storage. And, they have direct rock contact with the heating elements. This is needed to filter the harsh heat radiating from the 1400° F elements and to get rid of the electromagnetic field for safe and therapeutic bathing. Specifically, the person feels only comforting heat rather than blasting heat. It also produces the best steam when water is poured over the rocks.

A sauna heater is an essential element as without it, the sauna is rendered useless. While there is always a tradeoff between the price of a heater and the quality, make sure you find a heater with the key quality indicators listed above.

The use of the infrared sauna is increasing throughout the United States. Far more people are taking preventative action when it comes to their health. This has increased the demand on activity that can prevent future ailments. One of the tools been used in this preventative action is the infrared sauna, or more importantly the infrared sauna heater.

Infrared sauna heaters take less energy to heat, this results in delivering deep heat penetration with much less energy cost. FIR heat from the infrared heater passes deep into the body tissues where it can promote increased blood circulation and metabolism. The infrared sauna uses no steam. Because you can save money on installation you can splurge your money on some sauna accessories.

The biggest benefit of the infrared sauna heater is that the user is able to bathe for a longer period of time which results in greater heat therapy, deeper penetration and more sweating. In short it is not so much about the experience but what your body gets out of it.

The far infrared ray of light is a form of electromagnetic light energy just like that from the sun, however unlike the extreme sun rays the infrared radiation also known as FIR is harmless to human beings.

The cost of electricity to operate an infrared heater is very low. The average electrical cost is 5 cents per kw hour. The infrared sauna heater consumes 4-5 times less electricity than the conventional sauna. Infrared heater technology is completely healthy and safe for all living things. Although it is called a heater the technology uses infrared light characteristics to penetrate the body delivering many healthful benefits.

An important decision you will have to make regarding your sauna will be the type of heater you want. This can affect how the sauna will work for you. There are four main types of heaters used for saunas. These consist of electric, infrared, wood burning, and gas/propane. These can be made of steel, aluminum, or ceramic.

The electric sauna heaters of today heat quickly but remain cool to the touch. They are available in many colors and are a very convenient way of heating your sauna, but due to rising energy costs, many people do not like to use an electric sauna heater.

An infrared sauna heater operates at a lower temperature than an electric sauna heater. Infrared heaters convert light directly to heat. This heat warms nearby objects but does not raise the air temperature. Infrared saunas will cause you to perspire more. The heat caused by an infrared heated sauna penetrates deeper into the body tissues than the traditional sauna can. This deep tissue warmth is very helpful for people with stiffness, joint pain, sore muscles, chronic pain and arthritis. The infrared sauna heats up quicker than the traditional sauna and uses less energy. People with respiratory problems can use infrared saunas because the air does not get hot in infrared saunas.

If your home has gas heat, you may want to choose a gas sauna heater. A gas sauna heater is much move convenient than a wood burning sauna heater but many people may not want to use a gas heater due to rising energy costs.

A wood burning sauna stove is ideal for a person who has a large source of inexpensive firewood available. Anyone who lives where there is not a dependable source of electricity available may want to choose a wood burning sauna heater. Wood burning heaters are chosen by many people who enjoy the scent and beauty of the wood burning sauna heater. You should check with building codes, regulations, and insurance costs in your area before purchasing a wood burning sauna stove.

Although electric, infrared, or gas sauna heaters are convenient, you will lose the scent and beauty of the wood burning sauna heater. However, there will be no cutting or finding of wood and the electric, infrared, or gas sauna heaters are much cleaner burning with no ashes to remove. An electric, infrared, or gas sauna heater would be the best option for someone who prefers a cleaner burning heater.

The heater is an essential part of a sauna. Heaters run on gas, electricity and wood. To enhance the life of the heater element, water should be used sparingly. The size of the sauna room determines the required number of heaters.

When searching for a sauna heater, there are several factors to keep in mind. To begin, you might want your heater to have 3-wall construction. This allows it to have a cooler surface temperature, which increases safety. Likewise, your sauna heater should be UL tested and listed.

Other indicators of quality heaters are that they have stainless steel elements, which aid in extending the life of the heater. Likewise, good heaters have a large rock capacity for heat storage. And, they have direct rock contact with the heating elements. This is needed to filter the harsh heat radiating from the 1400° F elements and to get rid of the electromagnetic field for safe and therapeutic bathing. Specifically, the person feels only comforting heat rather than blasting heat. It also produces the best steam when water is poured over the rocks.

A sauna heater is an essential element as without it, the sauna is rendered useless. While there is always a tradeoff between the price of a heater and the quality, make sure you find a heater with the key quality indicators listed above.