The luxury of a home sauna

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to have a huge villa and bank account for that. A compact and simple ready-to-use example of about 120 by 110 (height two meters) is available for about 1250 to 1300 euros. There is also a stove that costs around 300 euros.

However, a number of things need to be kept in mind. For example: lying or sitting? To lie down, a sauna about two meters wide is required; for two people, a depth of 1.70 meters is added. That will of course be quite a whopper, which is why many people place a sauna outside in the garden, with the added advantage that you can immediately cool down in the open air.

The power supply is the next issue. The larger the sauna, the more power the heater needs. About 1 kW of power is required for every cubic meter of volume. With a sauna of 2 x 2 x 2 meters, this amounts to 8 kW. From that power, an electric heater usually requires power current. A small sauna heater of 3 kW can still be connected to a normal socket and up to a power of 6 kW it is possible to connect the heater via 2-phase power: use of two different groups.

Good air circulation is a third thing to consider. For example in the form of a ventilation grille under the stove or a thin slot at the door. Many saunas are supplied without a floor and must therefore be placed on a moisture and heat resistant (tile) floor.

If you go for the real Scandinavian experience, you might want a wood-burning stove in the outdoor sauna. However, it takes more effort (keeping the fire going) than an electric stove. Those who suffer from muscle and joint pain often opt for infrared, known for its depth effect and pain relief. These saunas consume less power and can be connected to an ordinary socket.

If you don’t have room for it, take a look at a steam-cum-shower cabin. With about 45 degrees, much less warm, but also relaxing and easy to install.