Everyone deserves spa-like luxury at-home to properly de-stress and prioritize self-care. Using a sauna can relieve stress, relax muscles, improve circulation, and promote better sleep. But what is a sauna? We answer all of this and more in the below sections to help you choose the perfect sauna for your home.

What Is a Sauna
Sauna Health Benefits
Types of Saunas
Sauna Sizes
Heater Types & Benefits
Wood Types & Benefits
Sauna Installation & Assembly
Additional Features
Sauna Maintenance
How to Use a Sauna

What Is a Sauna?

A sauna is a small room that is heated between 150°F and 190°F to help the body sweat out toxins using dry heat. They are typically made of wood because the material is comfortable to the touch (even when heated) and because it naturally keeps the heat in. The concept of a sauna originated in Finland thousands of years ago and is also popular in other Scandinavian countries like Sweden where the winters are cold and long.

Sauna Health Benefits

No matter what type of sauna you choose, you can still receive all of the available health benefits. Review these potential benefits to realize the versatility of this spa-like staple.

Improve Circulation: Saunas are great for your cardiovascular health, because the high temperatures lead to improved circulation. As the lining of your blood vessels expands, increased blood flow occurs, reaching important organs like your brain and heart!

Relax Muscles: The increased circulation also reduces muscle tenderness. After a tough workout, hop in the sauna to alleviate muscle pain.

Relieve Stress: Numerous studies claim saunas reduce stress and stress-related symptoms, such as headaches and migraines.

Promote Better Sleep: An evening visit to your sauna will help your body detox and unwind right before bed, allowing for a deep, uninterrupted sleep.

Types of Saunas

There are two main types of saunas, FAR Infrared and steam saunas. Both offer their own benefits from price point to heating capacities, so be sure to look over your options to make the best choice for you!

Steam (Traditional): A traditional sauna is usually used indoors and contains rocks that are heated by electricity, creating convectional heat. A steam effect can also be added by throwing water on the warm rocks. A steam sauna takes about an hour to heat up and can reach 170°F – 185°F. Unlike FAR Infrared saunas, the heat does not penetrate the skin as deeply. A traditional sauna is typically more expensive than other options and uses more electricity.

FAR Infrared: This sauna uses carbon or ceramic panels to generate heat as light waves. As your skin absorbs the infrared light, the light turns into infrared energy and penetrates your muscles and joints. Infrared saunas take about 10–15 minutes to heat up and run cooler (about 150°F – 167°F) than traditional saunas, but you may sweat more than you would in a steam sauna as your body absorbs the light waves. This type of sauna is generally less expensive than traditional saunas.

Sauna Sizes

Saunas are available in many sizes. Some are designed for one person, while others can hold up to seven or more people. The right size sauna for you should correlate to how many people intend to use it at the same time. Additionally, the room or space where you plan to install your sauna will limit the size you can select. Be sure to read the product description to see if it will fit in your space.

Heater Types & Benefits

Saunas are heated by either ceramic heaters or carbon fiber heaters. Ceramic heaters are more common in traditional steam saunas, while carbon fiber heaters are typically paired with infrared due to their efficiency. However, more modern sauna models can have either ceramic or carbon fiber electric heating. Just be sure to check the product description on a product page to determine the heating mechanism. Both of these heating mechanisms typically plug into an outlet and use electricity to heat the space.

Ceramic: Ceramic heaters are delicately made but heat up faster than carbon fiber heaters. Since the heat is more concentrated close to the heaters, it is best to choose a sauna with the heaters placed close to where you will be sitting.

Carbon Fiber: Carbon fiber heaters are durable and more energy-efficient than ceramic heaters. They have a flat surface area that allows for a more even heat distribution.

EMF Ratings

Infrared saunas emit electromagnetic fields (EMF). Ceramic heaters typically emit a lower EMF than carbon heaters, and saunas that have a combination of the two types of heaters emit the lowest EMF.

It is recommended to keep your EMF exposure to under 3 milligauss (mG). To ensure a safe experience, consult a professional regarding proper electrical grounding of the sauna. If the sauna you choose has passed ETL certification (product compliance with North American safety standards), the EMF is low enough to not cause any harm.

On Wayfair, you can learn what type of heaters the sauna has and how much EMF is emitted in the product’s Description or Specifications sections.

Wood Types & Benefits

Wood is the most common material for saunas. This is not only because of the soothing warm appearance of wood grains but also because wood insulates spaces and provides for a more enjoyable experience. Review two common wood sauna types below.

Cedar: The most traditionally used wood, cedar is aromatic, naturally rot-resistant, and has antifungal properties. While it is the most expensive sauna option, cedar is very durable and doesn’t get hot to the touch.

Hemlock: This is not a naturally rot-resistant or antifungal wood; however, hemlock is hypoallergenic, scentless, knot-free, and is not easily scratched or damaged. Hemlock is best used in indoor saunas.

Sauna Installation & Assembly

Saunas are generally easy to install. Assembly typically requires two people, a screwdriver, screws, and a rubber mallet. Many saunas have labeled parts and use a click-and-lock, groove, or magnet system. We recommend following the manufacturer’s instructions, but typically, the floor is laid down first, followed by the back wall and then the two side walls. Then the bench is installed, followed by the heater, the electrical components, the door, and the roof. The trim pieces are put into place last to cover the seams.

Tip!

Once your sauna is delivered, it is best to move all the parts to the exact place you plan on installing it and assembling it there. This removes the painful process of maneuvering a heavy sauna through narrow hallways or doorways.

Placement & Requirements For Installation

The placement of your sauna is an important consideration as some saunas are better equipped for indoor or outdoor use. Review placement options below, including important information on venting needs and electrical requirements.

Indoors

When choosing where to place your sauna, make sure it is being installed on level concrete or stone. It should not be installed on top of laminate or carpet. Also pick a place where it will have proper electricity and ventilation.

The sauna should not be placed in a location that is likely to get wet, such as a basement that is prone to flooding. We recommend choosing a well-insulated room because the cooler the room, the longer your sauna will take to heat up, and it may not reach your desired temperature. However, you can combat this problem by wrapping your sauna in insulation.

Outdoors

Outdoor saunas work best in regions that have a mild climate year-round. It will need to sit on a sealed, level surface and be covered by a roof so it does not get affected by bad weather. It should also be placed close to the house and within reach of an electricity supply.

Ventilation Needs

Saunas do not require ductwork or a vent to the outside. However, it is recommended to keep at least a few inches of space between the sauna and your walls and ceiling to ensure proper ventilation.

While ductwork is not needed, all saunas need an air vent to enable even heat distribution and to supply oxygen. Vents are especially important in large saunas, as heat needs to be pulled to all areas rather than staying within feet of the heater.

Typically, there is a lower intake vent and an upper exhaust vent. Saunas may or may not have vents already included in their design. If a vent is not included, the sauna is usually built to have a small gap under the door to allow for airflow and oxygen.

Depending on the design, some vents can be closed when heating up the sauna to allow it to get warmer faster. The vents are then opened while you are inside the sauna and kept open after you leave.

Electrical Requirements & Efficiency

For both indoor and outdoor saunas, you need to use an electrical outlet with the correct voltage. This outlet should be dedicated to just the sauna’s plug. No other appliances should be plugged into the same outlet, and do not use an extension cord.

To find a sauna’s voltage requirement on the Wayfair website, check out the product’s Specifications tab.

110-120V: Most infrared saunas work with this voltage, which is a standard household circuit.

220-240V: This voltage is typically required of traditional steam saunas. 240V outlets are made to handle washing machines, dryers, ovens, air conditioners, or hot water heaters.

Tip!

When looking around your home, you will notice that a 220–240V outlet is bigger than your standard wall outlet – usually around 4 1/2ʺ high and wide. Most modern homes have 110V and 220–240V outlets; however, older homes may require an electrical update, as they may only have 110V outlets. We recommend consulting an electrician if you are unsure of your home’s electrical wiring, or if you need to upgrade to 220–240V electrical wiring.

Additional Features

Modern Saunas have a variety of feature options to make your experience more enjoyable. Review these must-have features to determine which ones are must-haves for your sauna.

Bluetooth Compatible: If saunas are bluetooth compatible, you can wirelessly connect your phone to the bluetooth speakers and play music.

Timers: With this functionality, you can set a timer to alert you when it is finished counting down the specified time. It will also shut off the sauna, which is helpful if you are prone to falling asleep in there.

LED Lighting: Opt for a sauna that has LED lighting. LED lighting uses less energy and lasts longer than other lighting.

Sauna Maintenance

Proper maintenance and routine cleaning helps ensure your sauna works properly and lasts for a long time. Read our guide How to Care for a Sauna to find simple instructions for cleaning and maintaining a sauna.

How to Use a Sauna

Now that you’ve set up your sauna, it is time to sit back and steam. Here's how to make the most of your sauna time.

1. Prepare the Sauna

Read the instructions on how to turn on your sauna and let it heat up to the desired temperature. The maximum temperature recommended in the United States is 194°F. But always reference your sauna's manufacturer instructions for the best practices.

2. Prepare Your Body

Drink several glasses of water before entering a sauna, otherwise you risk dehydrating yourself. Remove any jewelry to prevent potential burning. Bring a clean towel to sit on, cover yourself, or wipe away sweat. Be sure to read any health hazards listed in the instructions to ensure you are in the appropriate state to use a sauna.

3. Monitor Your Session

Use your sauna at your own discretion. It's good to set a time limit so you don't stay inside longer than intended. If it is your first time, try a short session. If you experience light-headedness, dizziness, nausea, or an accelerated heart rate, exit your sauna immediately.

4. Rejuvenate Your Body

Take your time when you exit the sauna. Maybe sit down for a few minutes and drink a glass or two of water. Your body needs time to re-regulate itself after a sauna session, so don’t move too quickly or begin a new activity right away. Do not jump into a cold shower or pool afterward, as this can cause your body to go into shock.

Tip!

Now that you know what a sauna is and all the benefits it can bring to your life, check out The Best Saunas to Work Up a Sweat at-Home for our best selections.

Start browsing for your next self-care staple.