Choosing Your Outdoor Sauna
Navigating through the vast world of outdoor saunas can open up a variety of sensory experiences, each with its unique offerings and distinct benefits. Let’s delve into the defining characteristics of different types of outdoor saunas to better understand their nuances and help you to chose the best home saunas.
Barrel Saunas
Outdoor Barrel Saunas are notable for their unique, cylindrical design, typically crafted from cedar or other thermally treated woods. The rounded barrel shape is not merely an aesthetic choice but a functional one as well, as it efficiently circulates heat by minimizing corners, allowing for an even distribution of warmth. While providing a visually pleasing element in an outdoors setting, barrel saunas also offer a compact and efficient sauna experience. These are most commonly sold as DIY self build kits.
Finnish Traditional Saunas
Traditional Finnish Saunas bring forth a rich cultural and wellness tradition from Finland, emphasizing a dry heat environment. Usually ranging between 70°C and 100°C, these saunas employ either a wood burning sauna stove or electric heater to warm up the space. The heat, which can be modulated by throwing water onto hot stones, provides a blend of dry and wet heat, offering both relaxation and potential health benefits.
Dry Saunas
Distinctly characterized by their low humidity levels and high temperatures, Dry Saunas provide a vigorous heat experience with typically less than 20% humidity. The hot and dry environment encourages perspiration, helping users to potentially release toxins and relax muscles. This type of sauna is known to be particularly refreshing for those who prefer a clean and intense heat without the presence of steam. Dry Saunas are basically he same as a Traditional Finnish Sauna. You can simply choose not to add water to the stones to keep the humidity level lower.
Steam Saunas
Steam Saunas (or steam rooms) differentiate themselves by maintaining a high humidity level, often reaching 100%, while keeping temperatures relatively low, around 40°C to 50°C. The resultant steamy environment can be beneficial for respiratory health, skin hydration, and creating a deeply relaxing and detoxifying environment, particularly appreciated by individuals looking to soothe respiratory issues and achieve gentle skin cleansing.
Smoke Saunas
Smoke Saunas, or Savusaunas, bring are rarely seen and almost never sold. This is the oldest sauna tradition whereby a fire is burned for up 8-10 hours under a large pile of stones. Lacking a chimney, the smoke from the wood-burning stove fills the room, saturating the wooden walls with a rich, smoky aroma. Once the room is sufficiently heated, the smoke is released, and bathers enter the warm, aroma-infused space. This provides a primal and authentic sauna experience, deeply rooted in European sauna tradition.
Infrared Saunas
Infrared Saunas stand out due to their technologically advanced heating method. Rather than heating the air, full-spectrum infrared panels emit infrared light, which is absorbed by the skin, directly warming the body. Operating at a lower temperature (usually between 45°C and 65°C), they provide a gentle yet deeply penetrating heat and are often praised for their energy efficiency and targeted muscular relief. These are usually indoor sauna however there are a few outdoor infrared sauna models available.
Choose the right Heat Source: Electric sauna Heaters vs Wood Burning Sauna Stove
Wood Fired Sauna Stoves
Do you like the cozy feeling of sitting by a campfire? If so, then a wood-burning sauna might be right for you. It gives you that traditional Finnish sauna vibe with the crackling sound of wood and the smell of smoke. Sure, you'll need to chop wood and clean up ashes now and then, but the special experience it offers is totally worth it.
Electric Sauna Heaters
Now, if you're someone who likes things easy and quick, electric sauna heaters might be your thing. Just push a button, and you're good to go! These heaters are super easy to handle and don't need as much upkeep as the wood ones. Plus, you can set the exact temperature you want and enjoy your sauna time without any fuss.
In the end, whether you go for the wood stove or the electric heater, both will make your outdoor spot warm and relaxing. Just think about what you like more and how much work you want to put in, and pick the best one for you!
