Soothing saunas

Home saunas are more readily available these days, and many, such as the infrared therapy options, are easily installed, and take up little space.

Some people use saunas as part of a healthy lifestyle, although be warned – certain medical and health conditions are not compatible with saunas or steam rooms.

If you are considering a home sauna, one of the easiest options is a portable, pre-built infrared style.
Usually these can be installed almost anywhere inside or outside, so long as they are under shelter. A spare room, in a corner of a garage, or a covered porch, are all possibilities. Move it in, plug it in, and go.
Traditional steam saunas are more limiting as they often need to be professionally installed due to their plumbing, drainage, ventilation, and electrical requirements.

Portable home saunas come in a variety of sizes, from one to two person units to large saunas with room for six or more, so check the measurements of both the sauna and the proposed
site for it.

Wood is the most common material used to construct saunas, although some options come with glass doors.
Ceramic and carbon are the two most common materials used in infrared heaters. Carbon heaters are more expensive, yet they are also thin, light, provide an even and safe surface temperature and can last up to 50 years.
Infrared heat from carbon fibre heaters also penetrates deeper into the skin tissue, which allows the body to absorb more energy, meaning you experience a more intense sweat.

Infrared saunas also come with a huge range of extras, including audio systems and Bluetooth capability, light therapy, digital smart touch controls, LED lighting, automatic timers, and pre-set programmes, and ergonomically-designed benches and integrated seating.

COSTS

Sauna prices vary depending on size, materials used, and extras.
Prices start at around $2000 for an entry level unit, climbing to $10,000+ for custom-built models.
Traditional steam saunas are usually more expensive than infrared therapy saunas, mostly due to the burner and installation costs.
Running costs are relatively low both for infrared and steam saunas.
On average, if you use your infrared sauna three times a week you could expect to spend around $10 a month on electricity. Traditional steam saunas cost between
$20 and $30 a month to run.