Saunas and Infrared Saunas

Introduction to Infrared Saunas and Traditional Finnish Saunas

When I think of a sauna, I think of luxury resorts, hotels, gyms and holidays abroad. Now, with the help of new technology, you can have an infrared sauna in your very own home, bringing this luxury pastime into your dwelling abode. The Finns have long made saunas a tradition and continue to uphold this culture where there is one sauna to every 2.6 people: that’s 2,000,000 saunas for a population of 5,255,580 (2005). Considering the number of televisions the Finns have is 1.92 million (1995 est.) and the number of telephones is 2.5 million (1995 est.), saunas certainly have their place in the Finnish culture. Saunas are extremely relaxing, they’re good for the health and they are a place for families, that’s why they have become such a big part in Finnish culture.

Pre-cut or Pre-assembled Infrared Sauna

Infrared saunas are manufactured in all shapes and sizes for the tastes and styles of all customers. The infrared sauna can arrive at your house pre-built in the form of sauna kits and they can also come in panel form, bespoke for your room requirements. The ease of installation of the infrared sauna kits has made it a popular choice amongst sauna buyers. Installation of an infrared sauna from a kit is just a matter of slotting the sides together, putting the roof on and plugging it in. One can go from infrared sauna parts in a box to a fully built infrared sauna in 20 minutes!

Indoor or Outdoor Infrared Sauna

After you have decided what type of infrared sauna you want, the next step is to decide the location. First it is important to use a shower to rinse off after using the infrared sauna therefore it is useful to have one near the infrared sauna. You also have the option of having the infrared sauna inside or outside. Outside infrared saunas are constructed and treated differently to indoor infrared saunas.

Infrared Sauna Woods

Another choice you may have to face, depending on the infrared sauna company you use is the type of wood you want for your infrared sauna. Infrared sauna wood can come in many varieties including hemlock, spruce, cedar, redwood and aspen. Each of these woods are available in different varieties and colours, leaving the sauna buyer with a healthy selection to choose from. These woods absorb the steam from the evaporated water in the sauna and the temperature of the sauna wood remains relatively cool, giving the bather a relaxing experience, not getting burnt in the infrared sauna. Cedar wood is hardy, resistant to decay, good in harsh weather conditions, aromatic and is pleasing to the eye. Traditional Finnish saunas are made from Nordic white spruce which has a white tone and small knots. Pine and domestic spruce are not of the same quality as Nordic white spruce as the woods have knots which are larger and more susceptible to drying and fall out over time.

Summary

Infrared saunas are a long term addition to your home. When making a purchasing decision, take into consideration all the factors previously mentioned. The worst thing that could happen is to buy an infrared sauna which you are not pleased with. Make sure what you’re buying is what you want; after all, infrared saunas are for relaxing.