FAQ - Sauna Kits And Steam Baths

Frequently Asked Questions - Sauna Kits And Steam Baths
Q: What is a Sauna? A: A true sauna is a wood-lined room with a dry heat source (wood burning stove, gas, or electric elements in a metal body) with rocks on top of or around the elements or heat box. Humidity can be kept to a minimum or raised considerably when water is poured on the rocks. Cedar, when installed properly, will reflect heat "softly", even at high temperatures of 60°C to 100°C in the Sauna. The hot, dry air promotes heavy perspiration that has a cooling effect on the skin. Q: How is a Sauna different from other baths? A: A Sauna must have a special, insulated room built of softwood; a heater which is capable of heating the room to about 180°F or 90°C, and stones that get hot enough to produce a good steam when water is poured over them. Anything else is not a Sauna. In fact, Finnish studies suggest that the ideal temperature to enjoy a sauna is 176°F. Q: Are there baths similar to the Sauna? A: The only type of bath that resembles the sauna as far as health benefits and usage is the steam bath. Steam is 100% humidity while a Sauna is relatively dry, at about 20-25% average humidity (when water is used). Also, a steam bath operates at a lower temperature than a sauna bath, approximately 40°C. No baths are quite the same as the Sauna as far as their nature and effects are concerned. Nevertheless, some people try to abuse the name "Sauna". They try to share in the good reputation of the Sauna without offering anything that would correspond to it. Q: How long should I stay in the sauna? A: Use common sense as to what feels comfortable. A typical user says in the sauna for 10-15 minutes, steps out to cool off, then returns to the sauna and repeats the process as desired. If at any time you begin to feel uncomfortable, leave the sauna and cool off. Q: What should I do after my sauna? A: Take a shower or bath to cleanse your skin. A cool rinse will close your pores and leave you feeling refreshed. Drink fluids to replenish those lost through perspiration. Applying a skin moisturizer is a good idea. Drink water, mineral water, fruit or vegetable juice to replace lost fluids. Q: What should I do to clean my sauna? A: The sauna does not require any special care. However, the wood needs to be protected against excessive exposure to water. This means the cabin should not be washed out using water and a hose. After every use you should leave the sauna door open at least one inch while the sauna cools. This will prevent the wood from cracking and cupping. It also allows the sauna to breath when not being used, further preserving its fresh cedar smell. The floor of the sauna area simply needs wiping over from time to time. The benches should be cleaned with a damp (not wet) cloth. If this is not sufficient, a special sauna cleaner should be added to the water. The parts cleaned in this way should then be well aired. Use fine sandpaper to remove heavy stains. Q: What size should my sauna be? A: The important thing is bench length because you will want to lay down, so plan on one wall being at least 6 ft long. The other wall can be anywhere from 4 feet (on the small side) to a more comfortable width up to 8 feet. Since heat rises, it is recommended to build a sauna no higher than 7' in height to avoid heating up wasted space. If higher room heights are wanted, additional bench levels are required to keep bathers head as close to the ceiling as possible, as this is where the heat it. Q: How long does it take for a sauna to reach operating temperature? A: If you have insulated your walls and ceiling carefully, your room should reach operating temperature in 30-45 minutes when the heater is properly sized. During this time period the rocks will be properly heated for soft heat and soft steam and the wood interior will be comfortably heated, too. We recommend you close any vents and doors during the warm-up period. Other factors such as glass door and windows, ceramic tile may extend this time slightly. Q: What is the average cost to operate? A: If used three times per week, a home sauna heater will cost between $2.50 - $6.00 per month to operate, depending on the size of the sauna enclosure. Q: What kind of floor is recommended in a sauna? A: The floor must be waterproof; cement, tile, or some vinyls. A floor drain is not necessary for home use, but is essential in commercial settings to facilitate cleaning. Q: Why are saunas made of softwood? A: Softwoods have many advantages. They absorb excess humidity to keep the sauna atmosphere dry. Unlike hardwoods, they do not become hot and uncomfortable to sit on or lean against. They must, however, be properly kiln-dried to prevent shrinkage and warp age. Q: What is the appropriate temperature for a sauna? A: It depends on the user's preference, but is typically between 150 and 190 degrees Fahrenheight.

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