Indoor or outdoor
Though the majority of saunas sold are for indoor/residential use, outdoor saunas can be the perfect complement to a backyard pool. Outdoor saunas can be as simple as a two- or three-person unit with a roof kit, installed on a poolside deck. Some include change rooms, showers and toilets and can play a dual role of sauna and pool house. Many enthusiasts consider the ultimate sauna bathing experience is one that is followed by a cool swim. One advantage of having a poolside sauna is the ability to extend the pool season, as cool pool water, which is unheated in the spring and fall, is ideal for a post-sauna swim.
Choice of materials
There is a broad range of wood available for sauna construction. The materials selected are more so the homeowner’s preference rather than a performance issue. Typically, the interior walls and benches are constructed of softwood, while the exterior can consist of virtually any material. Western Red Cedar, Nordic White Spruce (with Abachi benches), Canadian Hemlock, European Alder and Aspen are all good choices to use in sauna interiors.
Some newer sauna designs use two wood types of contrasting colours to create a different look. For example, benches can be constructed of cedar combined with white-coloured Abachi to create a beautiful colour contrast, giving the interior a contemporary look.
Sauna benefits
Sauna use, and its link to health benefits, has been part of medical research for over 40 years, particularly the use of traditional models in Scandinavia and Germany.
A special issue of Annals of Clinical Research, which focuses on saunas, includes results from 18 different sauna studies and shows an increasing number of medical practitioners using sauna therapy with their patients.
The most commonly cited benefits of sauna bathing include:
- Relaxing muscles;
- Relieving aches, pains and stress;
- Inducing a deeper sleep;
- Flushing toxins from the body (detoxification);
- Improving cardiovascular performance; and
- Fighting illnesses (e.g. common flu and colds).
A heightened awareness to the medical benefits of saunas combined with upgrades in materials and accessories, such as lighting and sound systems, make the sauna a product that not only looks good, but is also functional.
| TRENDS TAKE SAUNA SECTOR BY STORM |
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| • The increasing use of glass, including full glass walls and large windows. • Discreet low-voltage lighting incorporated into valances or LED lights built into backrests. • Colour light therapy. • Audiovisual systems (e.g. CD/DVD players, waterproof iPod docks, in-sauna flat-screen monitors and marine-grade speakers). • Interior design upgrades, such as a full, middle platform that wraps around the heater, rather than a standard lower bench. • Programmable digital controls to replace older mechanical versions. |
Keith Raisanen is president of Saunatec Inc., a Cokato, Minn.-based manufacturer of Finnleo, Helo and Amerec brand saunas, steambath products and infrared heat therapy rooms. He has been in the industry for 25 years. He can be reached via e-mail at kraisanen@saunatec.com.
