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What can be better than building your own sauna room right in your home?
It’s an exciting project that promises spa-like relaxation from the comfort of your private space.
But thrilling as it might sound, there are various important factors that you’ll need to factor in. After all, you want to create that perfect spa experience.
All in all, here are 7 tips that you can follow to build the perfect sauna room:
Acquire the right sauna heater
The sauna heater is the heart and soul of your sauna since the heat and steam outcome depends on it. As such, the importance of buying the best sauna heater can’t be overstated.
For starters, you’ll need to decide between an electric heater and a traditional wood heater.
You see, electric heaters create precise temperature control with the push of a button. At the same time, wood heaters create an authentic sauna ambiance with crackling fires and woody aromas.
Secondly, sizing the heater correctly is also essential. A rule of thumb here is that you need 1 kilowatt of heater capacity for every 35 cubic feet of sauna space.
For instance, a 490 cubic feet sauna would require around a 14kW heater.
Get high-quality materials
Even though the top-notch materials call for a higher upfront investment, they also offer durability and longevity.
For instance, softwoods like western red cedar and Nordic white spruce are great opinions for building sauna panels. That’s because they are heat-resistant, low in resin, and release pleasant woody aromas.
Inferior woods like pine, on the other hand, can crack, warp, and release unpleasant odors.
The same goes for sauna benches, which should also be built from dense, durable wood that can withstand high heat and humidity.
Ensure Adequate Ventilation
Ventilation is essential for removing stale air and getting rid of all that steam at the end of your sauna bath. Also, it brings fresh oxygen into your sauna.
You see, inadequate ventilation can lead to stuffiness and dizziness and even pose health risks. In fact, even if you use sustainable options like a solar assisted heat pump for steam in your sauna, poor ventilation is still risky.
Build a functional drainage system.
Whether it’s a traditional or an infrared sauna, moisture and humidity are part of the sauna experience. Meaning you can have pooling water and moisture in both if there’s an absence of property drainage.
So, install a sloped floor with a drain to ensure easy removal of water. Also, you can connect the drain line to your home’s plumbing or route it outside with a small pump if needed.
Insulation is key
Insulation is essential to maintain heat efficiently in your sauna room. That’s because it minimizes heat loss through the walls or ceiling.
Also, proper insulation is sure to reduce your energy costs while also reducing the drag on the heater.
Now, most spa saunas have at least 4 inches of insulation made from moisture-resistant materials. Also, they have a moisture barrier with an air gap separating them from the wood paneling to prevent rot or mold growth. You can replicate the same in your sauna.
Sauna add-ons are essential to enhance your experience.
Having figured out the basics like the heater, ventilation, and insulation, you can now start adding some extras to enhance your sauna experience.
The add-ons can include the following:
- Top-quality sauna rocks
- Ambient lights
- Smart audio assistants
- Music player
- Glass doors and windows
Focus on safety
Health benefits apart, saunas also pose a series of safety risks, from dehydration to electrical hazards and more.
So, you can do the following to ensure overall safety:
- Install timers to limit excessive heat exposure
- Build non-slip benches and floor surfaces to avoid falls
- Get proper electrical wiring with GFCI protection for electrical components
- Install no-touch safety switches to avoid burns
To sum up
Saunas are the best home additions.
And what can be better than building one by yourself?
But when it comes to having an optimum home sauna, the above tips are essential. They will ensure you’re able to design and build your own personalized home sauna that’s at par with a professionally built one.