Build An Infrared Sauna
The infrared sauna has been a relatively new contender to the traditional bathhouse that people have been enjoying for centuries. Some people choose the sauna over the traditional ones, which are now commonly called a steam room.
This is because of lower electricity costs, lesser heat and significantly less humidity, unless it is a wet sauna where water is poured on hot rocks to get a little steam. People who aren’t used to the humidity and heat of Turkish and Finnish bathhouses would appreciate a relatively dry sauna experience.
If you want to build your own infrared sauna, it might help to know that there are two ways for you to go about it. The first option is building it from scratch, if you are reasonably skilled at carpentry. The second option is for you to buy a sauna kit and just assemble it at home.
If you are planning to build an infrared sauna from scratch, you are going to need infrared heaters, the mandatory carpentry tools (and skills), as well as wood and plywood, preferably older ones because the resin used in newly-made plywood may irritate the skin.
For the heaters, you can choose between far infrared heaters and infrared heating lamps. You can even use both. Far infrared heaters can either be tubular or flat with the former as the better of the two because it is more efficient. Flat surfaces dissipate heat through the back portion, unlike tubular heaters where the heat is released from all sides. It can be ceramic, metal or carbon. When you are shopping for a heater, take at look at the information about their efficiency, as well as the warm-up time.
Next, you’ll have to build an enclosure. The best choice for wood is cedar because it is stain and insect repellent and it doesn’t absorb heat. You will have to install the panels for the frame and get the flooring done. You also have to pay close attention to the insulation; otherwise you would put the rest of the house at risk of moisture damage.
Insulation would also efficiently keep the heat in, but there should also be ventilation to keep the heat at manageable levels and to avoid odor. Fiberglass or rigid foam are the recommended materials.
Next, you can install the benches and put the heaters at the appropriate location. It would depend on the size and the layout of the room. Look up various examples online to get a better idea.
Of course an easier way to build infrared saunas would be to get a pre fabricated kit. That would get rid of the major sawing needed and the need to hunt for an appropriate heater. Of course, in both cases, you would need a licensed electrician to take care of the wiring. For the pre-installation work, you can do it yourself and save some money in the process or yet again go the easy way and have a professional take care of it.
