Things to Think about When Building a Sauna
Saunas are a great way to stay healthy, especially in the winter. They’ve been used for centuries as a way to cleanse and purify the body. Saunas are also a great place to socialize and relax while you sweat out toxins. The 3 person sauna is one of the most popular types of sauna, and there are many different kinds available.
Imagine relaxing in a warm sauna, surrounded by lush greenery and the sounds of nature. Aromatherapy fills the air, providing a calming effect on your body and mind. With so many benefits to taking saunas, why not build one for yourself? Building a sauna doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive if you plan it out carefully. Here are some things to think about when building a traditional Finnish-style sauna:
How big should the sauna be?
A sauna needs to be big enough for people to sit comfortably and stay warm. It also needs to be big enough for all the equipment you want, like benches and heaters. You can calculate how much space you need by multiplying the length of one bench by its width. For example, if your bench is 4 feet long and 2 feet wide, multiply those numbers together to get 8 square feet. Add in some extra space for other things like benches, heaters, and sinks. If you’re still not sure how big your sauna should be, think about how many people will use it at once. If only two people are using it at a time, then you could probably get away with a smaller size—like 5×5 feet or 6×6 feet—but if there are going to be three or more people using the sauna at once then it might make sense to go bigger (7×7 feet or 8×8 feet).
Where should it go?
Your first consideration is location, location, location. If you are building a traditional sauna, it will require a lot of heat to get things cooked. The wood stove would generate that heat and distribute it throughout the room, but there is a lot of wasted energy lost through windows and another opening in the walls. To maximize your efficiency with this type of construction, try placing it in an out-of-the-way place where you won’t have to worry about people looking directly at it while they’re sitting on their couch watching TV or reading a book. This might mean putting it somewhere other than near your living room window so that any heat losses aren’t noticeable during warmer months when everyone has their blinds open.
Is an electric sauna or a gas sauna better for you?
If you’re looking to buy a sauna, the first thing you’ll have to decide is whether you prefer an electric or gas sauna. Both types have their pros and cons.
Electric Saunas:
- Electric saunas are cheaper than gas saunas on the whole since they don’t require any installation costs or expensive gas lines. However, they also cost more to run because electricity can be more expensive than other forms of energy (especially in rural areas).
- When buying an electric model, make sure that it’s UL-approved so that it’s safe for use in your home—and check to see if there are any relevant certifications from additional organizations as well (like ETL). If possible, try out this model before purchasing it so that you can test out its heat levels and see if they’re suitable for your needs—if not, then another model may be better suited for what you’re looking for.
Should you get a sauna with a porch or not?
A porch can be a great option for your sauna, especially if you want to be able to move around in the room without being confined. It’s also good for storing your towel and other things, like shoes and water bottles. A porch is not necessary though, so only get it if you think you’ll use it.
What kind of windows will you want?
For the sake of natural light, you will want to have windows in your sauna. This can be a great way to bring in the fresh air and see what’s going on outside. The window should be large enough so that it doesn’t feel claustrophobic, but still small enough that it feels like an enclosed space. If your sauna is located somewhere where it might get exposed to elements such as rain or snow, you’ll need tempered glass for your windows. Tempered glass is stronger than regular glass and can withstand extreme temperatures without cracking or shattering into dangerous shards if broken by accident (which is unlikely). If the temperature changes rapidly in this location, there’s also a chance that condensation may form on the inside of these windows — which would be dangerous if water were allowed inside during those changes — so make sure that this type of glazing has adequate ventilation holes around its edges so as not to trap moisture inside itself.
Another thing about making sure all these parts are sturdy enough: try not using plastic anywhere around them because they tend not to last long before breaking down under constant stress from outside forces like wind gusts hitting against them repeatedly over periods ranging from minutes up through hours per day depending upon how often people come over.
Will you want to leave the door open sometimes?
If you are planning on leaving the door open for part of your sauna experience, it is important to remember that the temperature in the sauna will drop significantly when the door is open. The room becomes less hot, and steam seems to rise from all surfaces. This can be great if you want to cool down or just feel a bit fresher. But if you leave yourself exposed outside of your sauna, it can get dangerously cold! So how do we keep ourselves safe while enjoying this feature?
Should you put some shelves to hold your towel and shampoo, etc. while you relax inside?
If you’re going to put it on a shelf, it should be sturdy and large enough to hold your towel and shampoo, etc. while you relax inside. You may also want to consider putting a small rack up on the wall so that it’s out of the way when not in use. A towel rack is essential if your sauna room has no ventilation systems or fans installed in them (as they should).
How many lights should there be?
Lights are important for a sauna experience. You want the room to be dimly lit and relaxing, but you also want enough light to see what’s going on in there. Consider using a dimmer switch so that you can control the amount of light in the room as well as set the mood. It’s great if at least one wall of your sauna has a light on it, and another good idea is to have a lamp over top of your stovetop or heater element, which provides some extra light while also keeping it off your skin, since heat rises from below (and we don’t want our faces cooking).
Do you want your sauna to be in the basement or another room?
You may have a preference for the location of your sauna. If you’re concerned about sound insulation, then your sauna should be in the basement. If you want to control temperature, humidity, and moisture levels, then it’s best to have your sauna in a room of its own — away from other rooms in the house. Keeping the water tank above a certain level will keep things running smoothly and prevent any potential flooding due to leaks or other problems with plumbing systems.
Thinking carefully while planning your new sauna will help ensure that it is perfect for your needs.
When building a sauna, it’s important to think carefully about all of the details. While you may be tempted to rush through the planning process, this will only lead to disappointment later on when your sauna is not exactly what you wanted. Think about how many people will use the sauna and what they plan on doing with it. If there are going to be five families using it every weekend, then perhaps you should consider having five separate saunas instead of one big one. Think about how much space you have available and how much money you can afford for your new project. The more careful planning that goes into building a new sauna, the better chance there is for success in creating something useful and fun!
Conclusion
Hope that this blog post has helped you think more carefully about what kind of sauna you want and how to plan for it. There is a lot to consider, but by thinking through these topics before purchasing your new sauna, you will be able to make the right decision for yourself.