Do you want an infrared sauna or a steam room – this is a question a lot of people ask themselves. Both come with their health benefits, and pros and cons alike. Although infrared saunas are on trend, very beneficial to physical and mental health, and easy to install, steam rooms are oftentimes preferred for several reasons.
Steam rooms are an airtight room of non-porous material which heats the environment using a steam generator. Comparatively, an infrared sauna is a wood-based room heating the user directly with targeted heat similar to a microwave. Steam rooms produce a moist heat as you might imagine and come with a lot of the same therapeutic benefits associated with infrared saunas, including detoxification, relaxation, and weight loss.
As we mentioned, steam rooms are usually non-porous and so they usually come in glass or tile. The airtight room can be a little much to handle for some people however there’s no better environment in which you’ll find high heat and humidity. A steam room uses a steam generator boiling water to create its steam. The moisture sits in the environment, getting bulkier and bulkier while initiating sweating.
The average temperature of a steam room is 120 degrees Fahrenheit, although this is obviously customizable. A steam room can feel much hotter due to the humidity levels which can reach 100 percent! Comparatively, infrared saunas usually operate between 115 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. A traditional sauna operates at temperatures as high as 200 degrees Fahrenheit however as an infrared sauna provides directional heat, this helps lower the temperature significantly. This makes the actual temperature difference between steam rooms and infrared saunas minimal.
Steam rooms are preferred over infrared saunas by people searching for a humid environment rich in moisture. If you have allergies and/or cold symptoms, steam rooms can be considered better than infrared saunas at producing respiratory relief. The moistness of the environment will open the sinuses and nasal passages, allowing for clear breathing.
Secondly, steam rooms are also wonderful at hydrating the skin. The moisture-rich air helps to balance oil production and individuals suffering from dry skin may find tremendous benefit in the hydration of a steam room.
Thirdly and lastly, once you remove yourself from a steam room and your body cools, the relaxation will be amazing and you’ll be able to sleep better than perhaps you have in a long time!
If you do intend to buy a steam room, there are different kits although you may wish to use a contractor for installation. Some kits are customizable. Steam rooms have requirements in plumbing and electrical. A steam generator’s an obvious requirement which should be installed in a safe place where there’s no risk of being burned or catching on fire. An airtight space and sloped ceilings to contain the dripping is needed. Keep in mind, bacterial growth is not uncommon with steam rooms due to the conditions of the room. For this reason, using tile cleaner and draining the room periodically is needed.
We can’t say enough positive things about an infrared sauna however in some cases, a steam room is certainly preferred. Ease stress, increase your relaxation, and improve overall health with your very own steam room. Contact a representative at Steam Sauna for more information on whether a steam room or an infrared sauna is right for your home.