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Hot Sauna Information
& Traditional Sauna FAQs
On this Page...
1. Traditional Hot Sauna Plans & Planning - FAQs
2. Sauna Health - FAQs
3. Traditional Hot Sauna Building - FAQs
4. How to Use the Traditional Hot Sauna - FAQs
5. Traditional Hot Sauna Information - FAQs
6. Info on Traditional Hot Sauna Cities in the USA - Coming Soon
GREAT SAUNAS Factory, with 34 years in the sauna business, has answers to FAQs on all traditional hot sauna subjects. Information is provided on all sauna topics: building, buying, use of, planning, indoor, etc. We welcome your question on any sauna topic & will consider it for the next FAQ. Our sauna guru, sauna man Pertti Olavi Jalasjaa, a native of Finland, can answer any question. GREAT SAUNAS Factory makes 12 types of home saunas.
1. FAQs - Hot Sauna Plans & Planning... |
Sauna Plan FAQ: Does a home sauna need a lot of insulation to be energy efficient?
Hot Sauna Plan Information: NO. For indoor saunas, 2x4 studding with R13 insulation is quite adequate for the walls. Use R26 in the ceiling. ...Answers Pertti.
Sauna Plan FAQ: Do I have to vent the sauna to the outside?
Hot Sauna Plan Answer: NO. A vent to the outside is not needed for a residential sauna. The air inside the sauna will be refreshed by new air from the home to maintain a high oxygen level in the sauna. ...Answers Pertti.
Sauna Plan FAQ: Is my 5'x5' area big enough for a sauna room?
Hot Sauna Plan Answer: YES. A traditional sauna can be built into any unused room, big or small. A 5'x7' size is ideal for a small home sauna as it is big enough for the entire family. Materials are then custom planned to fit your space. ...Answers Pertti.
Sauna Plan FAQ: Do I need to have a sauna floor drain?
Hot Sauna Plan Answer: NO. The majority of home saunas today do not have a floor drain. Very little water is actually used in the dry sauna heat. A drain is convenient for cleaning if the sauna is being built as new construction. ...Answers Pertti.
Sauna Plan FAQ: What kind of floor is appropriate for a traditional sauna?
Hot Sauna Plan Answer: Cement, tile, some vinyls - anything that will not absorb water. Never use carpet. ...Answers Pertti.
Sauna Plan FAQ How do I determine the size of the heater?
Hot Sauna Plan Answer: Take L x W x H to calculate the cubic footage of your heat sauna, and then divide by 50. ...Answers Pertti.
Sauna Plan FAQ What type of circuit breaker should I use?
Hot Sauna Plan Answer: Standard 240 volt breakers, properly sized for the heater according to the National Electrical Code. ...Answers Pertti.
Sauna Plan FAQ Why do you recommend Cedar?
Hot Sauna Plan Answer: This wood makes your sauna a beautiful, low-maintenance haven. Western Red Cedar creates a clean, spacious, contemporary look. When heated it emits a subtle forest scent. It resists staining, discoloration and odor absorption. Cedar, a light-weight wood remains comfortable to the touch at high temperatures, and resists splintering. ...Answers Pertti.
Sauna Plan FAQ: Should I insulate the concrete floor in the traditional hot sauna?
Hot Sauna Plan Information: NO. There is no significant heat loss through the floor as the floor temperature in a hot sauna is normally about 80°F (27°C). A framed floor with insulation will eventually trap moisture & smell musty. ...Answers Pertti.
Sauna Plan FAQ: Should I close in the area under the sauna benches to make the sauna easier to heat?
Hot Sauna Planning Information: NO. Closing in the benches will change the natural air flow and heat distribution within the sauna as air must be free to circulate through the benches. The saving in heating cost is too nominal. Why bother? ...Answers Pertti.
Plan FAQ: My sauna will be very small. Can I use a hinged bench above the heater to give me more bench length?
Hot Sauna Planning Information: NO. Any benches above the heater would not only be unusable (the heat would be intolerable) but a major fire hazard would be created. ...Answers Pertti.
Plan FAQ: Do I need to install water lines into the sauna?
Hot Sauna Planning Answer: NO. Water lines are not necessary in the sauna. They are needed, however, for the nearby shower. The sauna bucket can be filled occasionally from the shower or laundry room taps. ...Answers Pertti.
Plan FAQ: I want to put a small window into my traditional hot sauna. Should I use a thermal glass unit to prevent heat loss?
Hot Sauna Planning Information: NO. Small glass windows are usually made of heavy plate or tempered glass. The actual "heat loss" is quite insignificant when compared to the expense of a thermally-sealed unit. ...Answers Pertti.
Plan FAQ: What is the average cost to operate?
Hot Sauna Planning Information:: A 6 kW heater will, if used 3 times/week, cost about 60¢ per session for electricity or, your monthly cost is $6.00 per month. A 2.1 kW heater would use about $1.50/month. ...Answers Pertti.
Plan FAQ: What is the average heat-up time for a sauna?
Hot Sauna Planning Information: A sauna typically heats up in 25-30 minutes. During this time period the rocks will be properly heated - for soft heat and soft steam - and the wood interior will be comfortably heated, too. ...Answers Pertti.
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2. FAQs - Sauna Health... |
Sauna Health FAQ: Is it safe to stay in the traditional hot sauna longer than 10 minutes?
Hot Sauna Health Information: YES. A person should stay in the heat as long as they are comfortable. Some people stay in 20 to 30 minutes at a sitting. A maximum period of 10 minutes is often publicized as the maximum time that anyone should stay. ...Answers Pertti.
Sauna Health FAQ: What about health problems?
Hot Sauna Health Information: Consult your physician if you have a history of heart problems, high blood pressure or other health problems. ...Answers Pertti.
Sauna Health FAQ: What are the top two most common benefit mentioned by sauna users?
Hot Sauna Health Information: Relaxation and detoxing. ...Answers Pertti.
Sauna Health FAQ: Can I use the sauna if I have heart problems or high blood pressure?
Hot Sauna Health Information: YES. But only on your doctors advice. People with major heart ailments are often advised not to use the sauna. Using the sauna regularly does not increase one's blood pressure nor does it solve the cause of the problem. People who are accustomed to regular saunas are usually encouraged to continue their lifestyle in moderation. ...Answers Pertti.
Sauna Health FAQ: Will the sauna help clear my oily skin and complexion?
Hot Sauna Health Information: YES. Perspiring and cleansing the pores allows body oils, skin pollutants, and dead skin cells to be easily released and washed away. Skin care specialists agree that maintaining a clean skin is a very important part of skin health. ...Answers Pertti.
Sauna Health FAQ: Is it dangerous to use the traditional heat sauna more than three times a week?
Hot Sauna Health Information: NO. If you have the time to enjoy the sauna every day, you should do so. Daily saunas cannot harm your health as shown by the many Finns and healthy sauna-converts that make the time to use their saunas everyday. ...Answers Pertti.
Sauna Health FAQ: Can asthma sufferers use the sauna?
Hot Sauna Health Information: YES. (Qualified). Some asthma sufferers do not enjoy the effects from the heat and should not use the sauna when bothered by asthma.
Sinuses may run as a result of the heat. Many people, even with severe asthma, report that the sauna helps clear up congestion and that the effect lasts for days. ...Answers Pertti.
More Sauna FAQs coming every day.
Your Sauna FAQ could be here!
3. FAQs - Traditional Hot Sauna Building... |
Sauna Building Question: I've been told that you cannot use any preservative in the heat sauna, as the wood should be left natural. Is that true?
Hot Sauna Building Information: NO. Many heat saunas are left natural as a matter of choice. With the Interior Anti-stain Preservative "Sauna Guard" available from Great Saunas to protect the new look of your sauna, we strongly recommend it as it does not make the wood become hotter to the touch (It's from Finland). ...Answers Pertti.
Sauna Building Question: Should the inside corners of the heat sauna be caulked for a good seal?
Hot Sauna Building Information: NO. The use of a caulking is quite irrelevant as it will melt in the sauna heat. Only the cool bottom of the walls should be sealed with caulk to prevent water leakage under the wall framing. ...Answers Pertti.
Sauna Building FAQ: Is a sauna heater that brings the sauna up to a high temperature in less than 15 minutes a good heater?
Hot Sauna Building Information: NO. The effectiveness of a heater should not be measured in how fast it heats the air in the sauna but how well it performs considering the rock capacity of the heater. A traditional sauna room should warm up in about 25-30 minutes. Enough time is needed so that the rocks can become hot enough and that the wood in the room has a chance to absorb some of the heat. ...Answers Pertti.
Sauna Building FAQ: I can't find the special aluminium foil vapor barrier. Why can't I use polyethylene?
Hot Sauna Building Information: The polyethylene has no resistance to high temperature. It will literally "evaporate" over a period of time when used in the ceiling and the upper part of the walls. See Aluminium Foil. ...Answers Pertti.
Sauna Building FAQ: Can you explain the need for ventilation in greater detail?
Hot Sauna Building Information: It's a long information. See Ventilation. ...Answers Pertti.
Build Your Own Sauna FAQ: A sauna web site is adamant about placing the air intake above the stove and the exhaust as low as possible (ie: space below the door.) Please comment. Thomas W., Cambridge, NY
Build Hot Sauna Information: It's a long answer. See Ventilation. ...Answers Pertti.
Build Your Own Sauna FAQ: Everyone talks about aluminium foil. Is it the kind of foil you would use in a kitchen? Thomas W., Cambridge, NY
Build Hot Sauna Information: It's a long answer. See Aluminium Foil. ...Answers Pertti.
Build Your Own Sauna FAQ: I am planning to build my own door. Can foil-coated "High R" type foam panel insulation be used between two layers of cedar? Thomas W., Cambridge, NY
Build Hot Sauna Information: It's a long answer. See Doors (Home-made). ...Answers Pertti.
Build Your Own Sauna FAQ: How good a seal should you have around the door edge? Thomas W., Cambridge, NY
Build Hot Sauna Information: It's a long answer. See Door Sealing. ...Answers Pertti.
More Sauna FAQs coming every day.
Your Sauna FAQ could be here! Please email us!
4. FAQs - How to Use the Traditional Hot Sauna... |
Sauna Use Question: Can I use the traditional hot sauna and throw lots of water onto the rocks?
Hot Sauna Use Information: YES. Most sauna heaters are built for wet operation anyway. It is a matter of personal preference. Be sure to have a floor drain. ...Answers Pertti.
Sauna Use Question: What is the appropriate temperature for a hot sauna?
Hot Sauna Use Information: Temperature range depends on user's preference, but is typically between 175 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit. ...Answers Pertti.
Sauna Use Question: How long should I stay in the sauna?
Hot Sauna Use Information: Use common sense as to what feels comfortable. Typically, stay in the sauna for 10-15 minutes, step out and cool off, then return to the sauna for another session. Repeat as often as desired. Don't overdo it. Set the temperature and humidity level to your comfort level. If you begin to feel uncomfortable, leave the sauna and cool off. ...Answers Pertti.
Sauna Use Question: Can I pour water on the rocks on Saunacore heaters?
Hot Sauna Use Information: Yes, absolutely. Not only is it okay, it is an essential part of the sauna experience. ...Answers Pertti.
Sauna Use Question: What should I do after my sauna?
Hot Sauna Use Information: Take a shower or bath to cleanse your skin of salts and residues left behind. A cool rinse will close your pores and leave you feeling refreshed. Don't forget to moisturize your hair and skin with a quick shampoo and a lotion rubdown. Drink water, mineral water, fruit or vegetable juice to replace lost fluids. ...Answers Pertti.
Sauna Use Question: The Finns beat themselves and each other with leafy twigs. Do they like pain?
Hot Sauna Use Information: NO. There is no pain. Any of the birch whisks that become rough or "twiggy" are discarded. The brisking action of the birch leaves against the body increases the blood circulation in the skin and is actually a form of skin massage. Finns also enjoy the natural woody smell from the birch leaves. ...Answers Pertti.
Use FAQ: After throwing some water onto the hot sauna rocks, I always get wet with perspiration. Does increasing the sauna humidity make you perspire more?
Hot Use Information: NO. You actually perspire more in dry heat. Any surface moisture on the skin quickly evaporates. Increasing the humidity merely slows down the rate of evaporation and allows your skin to become wet. ...Answers Pertti.
Use FAQ: Do experienced sauna bathers find it easier to breathe in the sauna than novices?
Hot Sauna Use Information: YES. But it is mostly a matter of knowledge. An experienced sauna user knows that slow inhaling and exhaling and a very relaxed breathing cycle is very comfortable for the lungs. Nervous energy may create breathing problems for novice sauna users. While the lungs want "new air", they also protect themselves from the heat if inhaled too quickly. ...Answers Pertti.
More Sauna FAQs coming every day.
Your Sauna FAQ could be here!
| Info on Traditional Hot Sauna Cities... |
GREAT SAUNAS Factory ships to every part of North America, US & Canada from its sauna factories in Waterloo County.
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