Choosing Between an Infrared Sauna and a Traditional Sauna
Before purchasing a sauna for your home renovation project, you must determine which heat source you want to use. You can choose between an infrared sauna, which produces heat similar to that of the sun, or a traditional sauna heated by an electric heater. So, should you choose a sauna heater or infrared?
The traditional Finnish sauna
How the Finnish sauna works
To put yourself in the shoes of a Finn from 2000 years ago, opt for a traditional sauna. It comes in the form of a cabin made of wood. It is used for its ability to absorb moisture and steam. The recommended species are hemlock, red cedar, Nordic spruce, and pine. For the interior furniture, the floor, the benches… aspen, or abachi are the most used species. A stove heats the traditional sauna on volcanic stones that you will sprinkle with water to produce steam. The stove can be wood, gas, or electric. The temperature of the sauna is between 80°C and 100°C.
The benefits of the traditional Finnish sauna
The stove will heat the ambient air of the sauna, which in turn will heat the body. The heat will therefore cause intense perspiration beneficial to your body. It will allow to:
– Purify your body of toxins,
– Fight against the stress and tensions of everyday life,
– Improve your immune system,
– Clean your skin.
The course of a Finnish sauna session
A traditional sauna session takes place in three stages:
– The first passage in the sauna cabin is short. It lasts between 8 to 10 minutes to let the body get used to the heat and sweat.
– After 10 minutes, the session continues with a shower or a cold bath. After a few moments of rest, the session continues in the sauna.
– The sauna sessions can now last 10 to 15 minutes before retaking a cold shower or bath. You should repeat these steps a total of 3 times.
The alternation of “hot and cold” allows you to enjoy the positive and relaxing effects of the sauna fully.
Price of a Finnish sauna
The price of a Finnish sauna can vary between $1,000 and $8,000. This price can be influenced by the materials used, the number of seats, and the accessories chosen. The Finnish sauna can be built as a kit or custom-made. For a Finnish outdoor sauna, you should count between $4 000 and $15 000.
The infrared sauna
How the infrared sauna works
From the outside, the infrared sauna looks like a traditional sauna. However, for the infrared sauna, the stove is replaced by radiators or heating plates. This type of sauna heats the body by radiation with a temperature between 35 and 65°C.
Unlike the traditional sauna, the infrared sauna does not heat the air in the cabin but heats the objects and people in the cabin. No water is poured into an infrared sauna, which allows for dry heat and faster sweating at a lower temperature.
Benefits of infrared sauna
In an infrared sauna, we would eliminate six times more toxins than in a traditional one. Specialists have observed that the infrared sauna has a positive effect on muscle pain and joint ailments.
There are also many benefits to be noted for the infrared sauna:
– Decreased a cough in case of bronchitis,
– Reduces pain and arthritis,
– Offers better protection against viruses and winter flu,
– Improved skin appearance after 12 weeks of therapy.
It is also effective for certain dermatological diseases.
How an infrared sauna session works
You should turn the infrared lamps in the sauna on 15 minutes before the session. This way, the cabin will be heated up when you start your session. The ideal temperature is 35 to 40°C at the beginning. As the session progresses, the temperature can rise to 60°C.
The infrared sauna is gentler on the heart, so a 20 to a 30-minute session is enough to relax you.
Price of an infrared sauna
The price of an infrared sauna is 10 to 15% cheaper than the price of a traditional sauna. The price of an infrared sauna starts at $1,000 and can go up to $10,000 for the more luxurious saunas.
