Saunas are a popular addition to many custom homes. A licensed electrician should install a sauna to ensure the electrical wiring is up to code.
Health Benefits
Research has shown that consistent sauna time improves heart health, lowers blood pressure, and helps competitive athletes recover. Adding a sauna to your home allows you to enjoy these benefits whenever you want.
Residential sauna heaters can be constructed with a variety of woods. Pine and spruce are less expensive options, but higher-quality woods will increase the overall price of the sauna. To save money, consider buying salvaged cedar or other budget-friendly materials.
Aside from initial installation costs, saunas have low maintenance costs. It is estimated that running an electric sauna can cost as little as 31 cents per session. Cleaning your sauna once a week is recommended to keep up with cleaning. It is also a good idea to include a lounge area near your sauna to provide a place for users to cool down after leaving the sauna.
Increased Home Value
Home saunas are typically good for health. If the sauna is well-maintained and in an accessible location, it can be a selling point that may help attract potential buyers.
If you decide to build your home sauna, the cost will depend on the wood used for construction and labor pricing. Higher-quality woods like Nordic white spruce and redwood are more expensive than pine.
A sauna can be installed in the basement, an unused bedroom, or a nook in the house. You can also convert a room, like a bathroom, into a sauna. Regardless of the location, it must be close to an accessible water source. It will become easier to manage if you regularly maintain and clean the sauna.
Relaxation
Saunas can be an excellent addition to your home for relaxing and socializing with family or friends. Maintaining these devices with minimum effort is easy, and operating them for short periods is simple.
Sauna heaters add value to your property. For those unable to afford the additional investment, turning a bathroom into a steam room for similar benefits is always possible.
If you want to add custom sauna rooms, choose a location that does not eat into other living spaces. The sauna should also be constructed using wood to withstand heat and moisture. Cedar is a common choice because it exudes a calming aroma and is resistant to rot and splintering.
Convenience
Saunas use a dedicated circuit and need a licensed electrician to hook up the electrical wiring. It is essential that the sauna has proper ventilation and is installed on a GFCI outlet to prevent tripping of the breaker.
Homeowners can save on installation costs by purchasing a prebuilt sauna kit instead of a build-your-own model. The kits have wood choices, such as pine and spruce, less expensive than redwood and Nordic white spruce.
The cost of installing a sauna in your home will also vary depending on the type of sauna and labor pricing in your area. Install the sauna near a pool to provide easy access for cooling down after your sauna session.
Aesthetics
A sauna adds a luxurious touch to any home. There are various materials and styles available for decorating it. You have multiple options to choose from. Some homeowners use different types of lighting in their saunas to set the mood. Electric heaters are the simplest to install and require less maintenance. However, you must upgrade the power supply to 220 or 240 volts. This is an important safety measure and isn’t difficult for a competent electrician. Wood-burning heaters provide a traditional atmosphere but can be inconvenient for burning logs, ash cleanup, and chimney ventilation. Look for a model with a firebrick to protect the heater from high temperatures and extend its lifespan. Some models also feature a rock tray that’s easier to clean than the exposed grate on other wood-burning heaters.
