Indoor Saunas: Why You Need One and What to Consider Before Buying
More than one million people currently have saunas installed in or around their homes. That figure has soared in recent years with people seeking interesting ways to customize their homes and make them stand out from the rest. Because of that, if you’re thinking of installing an indoor sauna, you’re not alone.
While perusing the ever-growing selection of indoor saunas for sale online, be sure to keep certain factors in mind. Installing a sauna inside a home can be a particularly tricky endeavor. Covering all the important bases will help ensure you get the maximum enjoyment out of your sauna without suffering any unnecessary consequences.
Looking at the Benefits of an Indoor Sauna
First, let’s explore some of the reasons people are installing saunas in their homes. Obviously, one of the main benefits of doing so would be having the freedom to take a sauna anytime you like without having to venture to the local gym or spa. That’s only the beginning, though.
Personalization
Personalization is another major advantage of having a home sauna. You get to choose all the features the sauna offers rather than being restricted to what’s available elsewhere. From the materials used to the heat source and beyond, every aspect of the sauna is completely at your discretion.
Privacy
No doubt, privacy is a major benefit for those who have their own saunas. You don’t have to worry about who was in the sauna beforehand or what they may have left behind. At the same time, you can take a sauna whenever you see fit without anyone else knowing. The guests you choose to enjoy the experience with will be the only others allowed inside. Even then, you decide when they’re welcome.
Relaxation
One of the most highly touted benefits of saunas is relaxation. Their heat penetrates users to their very cores, releasing tension from every muscle and joint along the way. At the same time, a private in-home sauna can be a designated quiet space for meditating or simply letting go of the stress of everyday life. Relaxation alone generates a long list of health benefits, but saunas can take those aspects to entirely new levels.
Lower Blood Pressure
When the mind and body relax and stress is released, your blood pressure is bound to be lower as a result. At the same time, heat from saunas can dilate the blood vessels, further reducing blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, and many other issues. Lowering your blood pressure reduces those risks.
Detoxing the Body
Some studies show that sweating can foster detoxification, allowing harmful substances like lead and arsenic to flow out of the body where they can’t do any harm. Opinions vary on that matter, but sweating tends to make people feel better. Whether it’s to release physical toxins or symbolically release negativity, a session in a sauna is generally helpful.
Improving Skin’s Appearance
Research also indicates that sweating can lead to clearer skin. It helps to clear out the pores. Since acne comes from clogged pores, sweating in a sauna can help eliminate acne and make pimples less likely to return. Sweating likewise provides natural exfoliation, leaving the skin feeling softer and smoother. Some users insist regular visits to a sauna have left them looking younger as well.
Heightened Mood
Routine stints in a sauna can lead to a heightened mood, too. The comforting, satisfying heat of a sauna wraps people in a warm, lingering hug that has lasting effects. Due to that improved state of mind, those who spend time in a sauna may be less likely to suffer from anxiety and depression as well as numerous other problems.
Making the Most of an at-Home Sauna
Now that exploring all the benefits has taken you from thinking you might like to have an in-home sauna to knowing you need to have one, it’s time to think about certain other factors. An ever-growing array of saunas is on the market, but not all of them are quality units. Additionally, it’s important to consider a few important aspects before installing one indoors.
What Type of Sauna Do You Want?
In general, there are two distinct types of saunas: dry and steam. From there, the options branch out quite a bit. Dry saunas require a heat source to provide their benefits. They can be heated by electricity, gas, infrared, or wood.
Steam saunas also require a heat source with the same options being available. Instead of producing dry heat, though, they need certain extra elements to be able to generate humidity. Traditionally, steam saunas rely on heated rocks with water poured over them. They can also use boilers to generate humidity.
If you’re partial to dry heat, a steam sauna wouldn’t be the best choice. In the event you find dry heat to be uncomfortable or unbearable, though, a steam sauna would be the better option. If you’re not sure of which one you prefer, try out different versions of each before making a final decision.
What Size Would Be Best?
Saunas come in a variety of sizes. Some are designed for only one or two people whereas others can hold eight people or more. If you plan to routinely invite guests into your sauna, a larger model is recommended.
For solely private sauna sessions, choose a smaller version. Having one that’s too large for your needs will lead to wasted energy and take up space that could be better used. One that’s not big enough to hold family members and guests could work against you as well.
From another perspective, consider the amount of space you have for a sauna. Take a look at the dimensions of the available models, including the height, which is something many people overlook. Be sure to factor in enough space for the door to open as well. External heating sources take up additional space, so don’t forget to include them in the mix.
If you’re planning to install the sauna in an already existing room of the home, it’ll need to be able to fit into the space you have. Alternatively, you could have a room built especially for the sauna. In that case, space restrictions won’t be as much of a problem.
Protecting the Sauna and Your Home
From there, be sure to consider the potential hazards of the heat source the sauna will be using. Saunas generate significant heat that could possibly damage walls, ceiling, and flooring. If not installed properly with necessary precautions in place, the heat source could also be a fire hazard.
Be sure the heat source is contained and the surrounding components of your home are protected. In the event you’ll be using gas heat for the sauna, take extra care to ensure it’s ventilated properly. That’s also necessary for wood-burning saunas. Smoke should be vented outdoors.
Steam saunas can cause additional problems. On top of excessive heat, they create high humidity levels that can be detrimental to a home. If you’ve ever seen kitchen or bathroom walls blister or crack due to heat and humidity, those are some of the problems an indoor steam sauna can cause if left to its own devices. High indoor humidity levels can also lead to mold and mildew growth.
That means an indoor steam sauna should be tightly sealed from floor to ceiling. Saunas are naturally designed to keep heat and humidity within rather than allowing those elements to escape. Still, proper construction and installation are crucial. Those measures will protect your home against damage that could be costly and won’t likely be covered by your homeowner’s insurance given the circumstances in which they occurred.
Some types of saunas could require upgrades or supplements to your existing electrical panel as well. They may draw a great deal of power from your home’s electrical system. Not all electrical systems can handle the extra load without professional intervention.
EMFs and ELFs
All electronic appliances and devices release certain levels of radiation. That includes televisions, microwaves, computers, and mobile phones. Those items can generate both electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and extremely low frequency fields (ELFs). Those two terms are often used interchangeably, and they tend to accompany one another.
For the most part, those fields are considered fairly harmless to people and pets. Some studies have shown that exposure can lead to certain health risks, though. Those might include jitteriness, depression, and anxiety.
While the hazards of EMFs and ELFs are usually minimal if noticeable at all, many experts are concerned about the growing numbers of electronic devices in today’s homes. The more devices present in a home, the higher the risks could be. At the very least, those fields can sometimes interfere with electronics and other fixtures and appliances.
Consider checking out the EMF ratings and other specifications of the saunas you’re looking at. Doing so can help ensure the one you choose produces as little radiation as possible. Though even those with higher outputs may not be particularly dangerous, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Finding the Perfect Sauna for Your Home
Saunas can be extremely beneficial. Several varieties are currently available. Consider the points mentioned here to help determine which one would best meet your needs. Having the sauna professionally installed is advised to ensure it’s completely safe for your home and family and guarantee you’ll get the most benefits and use from it.
