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If you’re looking at meaningful ways to upgrade your lifestyle, you’re probably weighing the pros and cons of purchasing traditional saunas. Unfortunately, though many societies have enjoyed saunas worldwide for thousands of years, there’s not much official data published on their value and benefits.
When you talk to anyone who’s ever had a sauna session, you’re likely to hear all about how enjoyable and relaxing they can be to take some leisure time in. But purchasing your own sauna is a serious investment in a top-of-the-line product, so it’s important to understand if the purchase will be worthwhile for you personally.
As you learn more about the different types as well as the pros and cons of purchasing a sauna, consider your own situation and needs. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll have a clear understanding of what your next step should be to achieve the pure sauna experience.
While different types of sauna use different heaters, the overall goal is the same: providing the user with relaxation, a sense of calm, and a range of health benefits through heated therapy.
Depending on the area, you can find saunas in large buildings, caves, and even dug into hillsides and slopes around the world. Our saunas are essentially sealed rooms that, once installed, you can sit in while basking in relaxingwarm air.
There are a few key differences between the sauna we offer. Traditional saunas use high heat and steam together to warm you and the room, while infrared heaters provide warmth directly using 360-degree infrared technology with app elite control.
Today, there are many different types of saunas designer series and traditional available for sale for home or outdoors. We’re focusing on the indoor traditional sauna in this article, but outdoor saunas are another popular option in certain environments. While all the various types serve the same overall purpose, the differences mean that no one option is the absolute best for every unique scenario.
But once you know the key differences between the most common types of saunas, it’ll be easy to decide which one is right for you, so you can start looking at accessories.
While it’s true that both traditional and infrared saunas offer very similar health benefits, how they operate is quite different.
Infrared saunas, like the custom infrasauna sauna, use infrared heaters to warm your core body temperature from the inside out. Humans aren’t able to see the spectrum infrared light is on, but we can absolutely feel and benefit from it
During an infrared session, you’ll feel the warmth exactly where the light hits your body. This is why our infrared saunas have 360-degree light coverage. In a Finnish sauna, the air around you is heated and with the warm air you feel it more evenly throughout your entire body.
Additionally, there’s no steam involved in any of the infrared options. They exclusively use dry heat and no humidity whatsoever. Some people enjoy this, while others can’t imagine a sauna session without steam.
With traditional Finnish saunas, you have your choice of heaters. Some varieties give you the option to use steam or enjoy a dry session. You can stick with a traditional wood-burning stove, or upgrade to electric heaters. Regardless of which option you choose, you’ll still be able to enjoy a nice, steamy sauna.
Electric heaters are definitely the most popular choice for traditional Finnish saunas, but the reason may surprise you. It’s very common for local regulations to ban the use of wood-burning heaters in saunas, especially in urban areas where your home is near another building.
Even if they’re legal in your area, you’ll also need enough space and time to acquire and store the wood. While many sauna experts agree that wood-burning heaters are superior, they just aren’t practical in many situations.
Experienced sauna-goers agree that wood-burning heaters provide a better sauna experience. The heat just feels smoother, for lack of a better descriptor. That’s not to say that e-heaters detract from a spa like sauna experience, simply that wood-burning adds even more authenticity to the home sauna experience.
Luckily, if your situation allows for it, most saunas include customization options for your heater type. So even if you ultimately choose a 2 to 6 person barrel sauna, you’ll be able to pick whichever heat source is best for you for that perfect spa day feeling.
When it comes to purchasing traditional saunas, there is no single best option for each unique situation. You have to consider your individual lifestyle, location, budget, and desires.
That said, reviewing the pros and cons of traditional saunas are one of the best ways to help you decide. Compare the benefits and drawbacks to what you picture when you think about enjoying your own luxury sauna, and use that to guide your buying decision.
For thousands of years, people have anecdotally reported the health benefits of regular sauna sessions. In the past few decades, official medical studies have been conducted to finally answer what the health benefits are. (1)
“Sauna bathing may be linked to several health benefits… [reduced risk of] [hypertension], cardiovascular disease, and neurocognitive diseases… pulmonary diseases; mortality; as well as amelioration of conditions such as arthritis, headache, and flu.”
– Mayo Clinic
Simply put, recent studies have found that healthy people who add sauna sessions to their lifestyle often experience numerous physical and mental benefits.
Physically, the heat of a sauna increases your blood flow and relaxes tense muscles. After a stressful day or a grueling workout, there’s nothing better than sweating it out in a sauna. Whether you choose an electric or wood-burning heater, the heat helps relax and repair tense, sore, or damaged muscles.
Studies also show that sauna use can improve your heart’s overall health and reduce your risk of heart disease. When you sweat in the spa, certain toxins like mercury, cadmium, and arsenic are flushed from your body. These toxins are unaffected by eating well and staying hydrated, making saunas one of the only effective, deep cleansing options.
Finally, the mental benefit of adding traditional saunas to your routine are often understated. New research shows there may be a link between saunas and a reduced risk of neurocognitive disorders, like dementia and stroke-related complications.
But you’ll get a boost in your daily life, too. A sauna session is a common and effective way to relieve stress. Raising your internal body temperature in this way activates the release of endorphins, a feel-good chemical produced by the human brain. (2)
“Endorphins are released by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in response to pain or stress, this group of peptide hormones both relieves pain and creates a general feeling of well-being.”
Harvard Health Publishing
Combining the way saunas melt tension away with the bonus of an endorphin release is an easy way to boost your mental health any day.
Many people are surprised to discover just how easy sauna maintenance can be, regardless of the style you purchase. However, before beginning any cleaning process, make sure your sauna is off and completely cool, especially in indoor sauna rooms.
For debris along the floor, a small handheld vacuum will do the trick - no need for any additional accessories for this one. Most interiors we offer are a variety of cedar, thermo spruce or eucalyptus, renowned for being robust and low-maintenance.
When you wipe down the benches, use warm water and—if you feel the need to use a cleaner—a very mild, natural detergent diluted with water. You want to avoid using harsh chemical cleaners for both the sauna and classic sauna accessories.
These tips apply to both the traditional and infrared sauna. Every sauna choice we offer is designed to be easy and affordable to maintain, including any accessories.
We believe that every major purchase you make should include a warranty. That’s why at Divine Saunas, we only work with the most reputable brands. Every sauna you’ll find on our website is built to last for years and years.
Plus, many of our products include 5-year warranties. The cherry on top? You don’t have to worry about a huge hassle and headache if you need to use the service for sauna repairs. Say goodbye to getting the run-around and products or accessories that start failing the day after the guarantee expires.
A sauna is supposed to be a relaxing and rejuvenating addition to your life. We make sure the sauna brands we partner with offer a warranty service that delivers with a smile.
No matter what kind of questions or needs you have, your purchase of traditional saunas includes our enthusiastic support. We do this because our company’s foundational belief is, quite simply, that our customers deserve the best.
You’ll also have our help every step of the way. From choosing your perfect dream sauna to prepping for its arrival or choosing new accessories, you’ll know what to expect every step of the way. Our commitment to honesty, integrity, and quality means that your sauna selection and delivery will be smooth sailing.
And we’re still here for you after you start enjoying your new sauna and accessories. We welcome any questions or comments about your home sauna experience because we want you to be thrilled with your investment for years to come.
Whether you have an electric or wood-burning heater in your 2, 4, or 6 person traditional sauna, it won’t heat to the right temperature instantly. Depending on your specific configuration, it can take up to 30-60 minutes for the sauna to heat up. Maintaining the temperature and keeping it steamy is relatively straightforward—it’s mostly a matter of remembering to warm the sauna up in advance.
Infrared saunas heat up quite a bit faster due to the product’s design, around 15-20 minutes. The tradeoff is that humidity isn’t part of the infrared experience. If you’re seeking that true, steamy Finnish sauna, you’ll have to be patient during your heat-up time with a traditional steam sauna or outdoor sauna rooms.
Also, consider your location when choosing your sauna or sauna accessories, especially if it is not near your home. A wood-burning sauna will always work off-grid in a remote area away from home without electricity and does not need many sauna accessories.
The running costs for your sauna will greatly depend on the products and accessories you choose to get and how far away it is from your home. Infrared saunas tend to cost half as much to operate as a Finnish sauna. This is because infrared saunas are typically “plug-and-play,” as in you plug it into the wall and can use it without an electrician’s installation.
Infrared technology is also extremely efficient, meaning it uses less energy than a sauna with an electric heater. Depending on your area, the firewood to feed your wood-burning sauna can get pricey, especially if it is pre cut.
That said, the average person will spend only a few dollars a week on running costs for their traditional saunas. Sauna sessions should only be around 20 minutes long, so you use far less wood or electricity than you may initially expect.
If you’ve read through the benefits of an indoor traditional sauna and the lifestyle sounds exactly like what you’re picturing, it’s time to shop indoor saunas. Or if an outdoor sauna suits you needs, then certainly begin there. Ultimately, the perfect sauna for you is the one you can easily and consistently use.
Still not sure? No worries—we understand that shopping for a world-class sauna requires a lot of time and careful consideration. The Divina Saunas team wants you to love your purchase for years to come, and we’re dedicated to helping you make the best-informed decision possible.
Just use the menu above to find more information on whatever you need. Our sauna listings, resources, and blog are chock-full of everything you’d ever want to know about purchasing your new sauna.
References:
1. Mayo Clinic, Cardiovascular and Other Health Benefits of Sauna Bathing: A Review of the Evidence https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(18)30275-1/fulltext
2. Harvard Health Publishing, Endorphins: The Brain’s Natural Pain Reliever https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/endorphins-the-brains-natural-pain-reliever
