Installing a home sauna

If you want a touch of luxury in your home, installing a sauna could be the answer – find out more here.

A sauna is a great addition to any home

A home sauna is a hot and dry environment that will open up your pores, relax your muscles and rid your body of toxins. Some even believe saunas will sooth your mental or spiritual state, so installing a home sauna is perfect for everyone.

Saunas have been used for a very long time; in fact records show that they were around in Finland 2,000 years ago, however not the type you’re used to. These early home saunas were usually small pits that were fashioned in loose earth; stones were heated up and once they were hot, water was thrown over them to produce steam and thus heat. This type of home sauna was principally used for staying warm during blistering winters.

Advantages of installing a home sauna

• It is a very relaxing experience and can reduce stress levels.
• Rejuvenates skin by ridding it of toxins and chemicals, leaving the skin more refreshed as a result.
• Facilitates kidneys and liver, as the body gets rid of unwanted substances through sweating.
• Increases blood circulation meaning it moves quickly to other parts of the body, thus bodily functions are improved.
• Can help alleviate physical conditions such as allergies, skin ailments, arthritis and chemical sensitivity.
• Kills bacteria, fungus, parasites and viruses, this is done through the body temperature rising quite dramatically. Certain parts of the body will find this especially beneficial, namely the ears, eye, throat, intestines and sinuses.

Disadvantages of installing a home sauna

• Risk of heat prostration or ever hyperthermia (especially children and older people who have heart disease)
• Prolonged used may cause loss of electrolytes form the body (similar to rigorous exercise)
• Dehydration which could lead to heat stroke (reduced by regularly drinking water)

So, you’ve decided to indulge in a spot of Finnish luxury and install a home sauna, but where do you start? The guide below will take you through all the important steps you will need to consider.

Preliminary decisions

Before you rush off and buy a home sauna you need to think a few things through, namely the size and where you are going to puit it. Commonly, home saunas are installed in walk in closets. As for size, you need to consider how big the area is and if the home sauna will fit comfortably, the shape doesn’t matter too much as a home sauna can be built to fit most spaces, you will just need to send a set of accurate measurements to the manufacturer. Also bear in mind that the room will need to have an electric outlet already installed. You will then need to decide if you would like to carry out the work yourself or hire a contractor. If you do not have any previous experience with this type of DIY project it would be advisable to get in touch with a contractor, as installing a home sauna is no walk in the park. Here’s how a professional will install a home sauna:

Installing your home sauna

1. Once you have decided which room to install your sauna in, you will need to fill in a custom home sauna form, which will entail taking very detailed and accurate measurements and answering a set of questions. You may also want to specify other things on the form such as which side the door should open from, how many benches etc.
2. To prepare the room for the home sauna you will need to remove everything from the walls, floor and ceiling. The only things remaining at the end of this task should be a concrete or wooden floor, clean drywall walls and an opening where the sauna door will be.
3. You will then need to cut furring strips to the correct length; this should be the height of the room. You will need as many strips are required for one strip per every 18 inches of wall, and enough to cover the ceiling with the same space of intervals.
4. Attach the furring strips on top of existing wall studs throughout the room, using three-inch nails spaced ever 12-inches. Do the same with the ceiling joists.
5. Once you receive the manufactures instructions you will need to follow these exactly to install you custom home sauna. Basically, it will require you to attach the pre-cut sauna pieces to the furring strips, usually ceiling first, then walls and then the doors. Benches are usually left until the last, after the heater has been installed.

The cost of a home sauna

A readymade sauna will cost around £1000 plus and a custom made home sauna will set you back considerably more as in involves more work for the manufacturer. It is advisable to ring around a few local companies to get a range of quotes.