Your Guide to Creating the Ultimate Home Sauna Experience

Sauna practices offer substantial wellbeing benefits and have gained popularity around the world, especially in Finland where saunas are a crucial part of everyday life. With the growing need for health and wellness routines, saunas have become increasingly desirable among homeowners globally.

Interestingly, DIY and prefab kits make building your own tailored sauna easy and budget-friendly. Plus, as a bonus, incorporating a sauna into your home can add substantial value as well.

"Saunas offer a considerable return on investment,” pronounces Jeff Lichtenstein, CEO and broker at Echo Fine Properties. He notes, “Key benefits that buyers find attractive are stress relief and improved sleep. It’s an experience likened to visiting a spa or winding down at a gym, which makes saunas appealing to a broad spectrum of people.". Adding a sauna, described by many as a luxury, enhances your dwelling even more when paired with a pool.

Fundamentally, a sauna is a small room designed to generate dry or humid warmth often through heated stones, wood-burning stoves, or infrared panels. The increased temperature prompts sweating, aiding in relaxation, enhancing circulation, and facilitating detoxifying effects.

“Planning your home sauna may seem a daunting task initially, but once key decisions are made, the process simplifies considerably," says Kellen Mouw, director of sales and service at Almost Heaven Saunas. Consideration of sauna size, which dictates the heater's power, and the location, indoor versus outdoor, are critical factors to be made upfront.

Importantly, operating costs of a sauna are quite reasonable. On average, an electric heater falls in the range of $30 to $40 per month for regular use. Wood-burning stoves only have the expense of firewood.

Operating costs can be minimized with smart selections like the appropriate heater for your sauna size, thorough insulation, and the strategic use of timers for preheating.

The purpose of saunas, whether Finnish, a steam room, or a Turkish hammam, remains constant - cleanse the body, soothe the muscles, and enhance overall well-being,” explains Mouw.

A successful sauna presents an optimal balance between functionality, comfort, and elegance, enriching the overall experience. Paying diligent attention to minor details during installation, such as level base, good drainage for outdoor saunas or water-resistant flooring for indoor saunas, and appropriate electrical access, makes a significant difference. DIY kits make the process manageable for average homeowners without requiring professional experience.

With the right frame of mind, many luxurious sauna upgrades can be quite pocket-friendly. Opt for LED fixtures or chromotherapy (color therapy) to intensify ambiance. Incorporating tempered glass doors or panoramic rear views create a more spacious feel. Comfort can be elevated with cedar backrests, supportive accessories, and duckboard flooring.

Offering another layer of luxury are wellness extras like aromatherapy using essentials oils like eucalyptus, lavender, or cedar, or plush sauna pillows. Further empower your experience with a Wi-Fi compatible heater that facilitates preheating with a mere tap on your phone.