Understandably, a lot of people interested in installing an infrared sauna in their homes come with some questions. We’ve taken it upon ourselves to select a few of the more common concerns and share the answers here. Hopefully, these provide some insight into how to maximize sauna use in your home and keep your property safe in the process.
Does a sauna need a vent?
For your health and to ensure the heat is functioning properly, fresh air needs to move through your sauna. This will also help prevent mold and mildew, and so yes, a vent is necessary. Near a heater just off the floor is ideal for a vent, with an exit vent on the opposite wall a few feet off the floor or higher.
Will venting cause damage to my home?
Generally no, heat and moisture escaping is a non-issue. It’s a major misconception that saunas can damage a home or building based off its venting. A temperature at ceiling level is approximately 250-300 degrees, which is dryer than most rooms.
How long to heat a sauna in a home?
The average home sauna using an electric heater will heat up to the appropriate temperature in 40 minutes or less.
How hot is a home sauna allowed to be?
You can heat a home sauna up to 194 Fahrenheit near the ceiling. Although there are ways to get your sauna hotter than this, 194 Fahrenheit is the recommended maximum by UL and ETL standards worldwide.
What sauna woods are typical for a home sauna?
Several woods are appropriate for a home sauna. We recommend contacting your supplier to find out more about what’s best applied in the home. Western red cedar is probably the most popular sauna wood for homes. The only thing we recommend is to never use pine as it will ruin clothes, hair, and ooze resin at high temperatures.
Can I use a sealant or varnish on a sauna wood?
No, absolutely not. Never apply any coatings or sealants to sauna woods as it could release dangerous gases or prevent heat from being absorbed into the sauna wood which helps come time to cool off the room. The only places where protective coatings can be applied are with door handles and wood duckboard flooring.
How often should I clean my home sauna?
A home sauna should be cleaned after every 10 sessions or once a month – whichever comes first. Commercial saunas are obviously used a lot more and require closer attention. To clean a residential sauna, use a biodegradable sauna cleaner to neutralize bacteria and organisms known to break down the wood fibers.
Are there any special requirements to consider for a home sauna?
In short, no. An infrared sauna can be installed in any room in the home. You’ll want somewhere with studs to help install benches and the sauna heater. An inlet or outlet vent should be built into the wall for proper ventilation as well.
How high does my ceiling need to be for a sauna?
The average ceiling height for a sauna is 7 feet, although some are slightly higher. As long as you don’t have cathedral ceilings or anything massive, you should be ok. As heat rises, the maximum height you’ll want is generally eight feet high.
Steam Sauna is North America’s top supplier of infrared saunas for commercial and residential spaces. Don’t hesitate to contact a representative today to get set up with your very own home sauna!