Bath and sauna - everything you need to know

The sauna has a long history and over thousands of years has evolved from a means of survival and cleansing into a kind of therapeutic temple. Today, saunas enjoy a variety of health benefits, including detoxification, improved heart function, and weight loss.

The word “Banya” is the name of a Russian traditional steam room; it can be considered one of the types of sauna.

WHAT IS A SAUNA?

All saunas are spaces designed to promote relaxation, detoxification and cleansing of the body through wet or dry heat therapy. For the most part, saunas built separately, such as in summer cottages or on private property, function the same as indoor saunas, with very minor differences.

Both traditional indoor saunas and outdoor steam saunas can create steam using a heat source, sauna stones and water. Infrared saunas, which produce dry heat, are more common indoors.

Saunas are made from special materials that provide a high level of thermal insulation and protection from sudden temperature changes. There are several other factors that distinguish free-standing baths from their indoor counterparts.

Most indoor indoor saunas come in a standard box or cube shape, while freestanding saunas are available in a wider variety of designs.

It is easier to ventilate an outdoor sauna than an indoor one, but installation can be more difficult. When building a sauna outside the home, local building codes must be followed, especially regarding wiring and chimney.

Saunas designed for indoor use are usually much more compact than those designed for outdoor use.

There are three main ways in which saunas differ from each other:

• Heat source
• Form
• Size

HEAT SOURCE

Saunas produce heat in one of two ways — traditional or “non-traditional,” which means any sauna with an infrared heater. See what stylish and at the same time highly efficient stoves can decorate the interior of your sauna: https://ermak-termo.ru/ . Here’s some information about how these heat sources work:

TRADITIONAL SAUNA

Traditional saunas function very similarly to the previously mentioned ancient saunas and are known as "wet saunas" or "steam saunas". Here’s how this particular type of sauna is used:

• You place stones on the heater to heat up.
• Once the stones are hot, you can pour water on them, creating steam.
• Steam circulates in the room, raising the temperature and causing sweating.

Many sauna enthusiasts prefer the traditional option as it provides a more authentic experience. Modern versions of traditional saunas can be heated in two ways: either a wood-burning stove or an electric heater.

WOOD BURNING STOVE

Saunas with this type of heater use wood in a wood stove to heat the stones. Firewood saturates the room with a pleasant aroma. This type of sauna does not require power electrical wiring, but a chimney must be installed.

ELECTRIC HEATER

These saunas use an electric heater to heat the stones. Electric heaters heat up faster than wood heaters. With electrically heated saunas, you can control the temperature at any time.

INFRARED SAUNA

Infrared saunas take a more targeted, modern approach to heat therapy. Instead of heating the entire room like a traditional sauna, an infrared sauna creates radiant heat using an infrared heater. Although the room temperature will not be as high, your body will absorb this radiant heat and you will sweat. There are studies showing that infrared saunas are more effective than traditional saunas in detoxifying the body. But the sensations are not as pleasant as when using natural wood.

FREE-STANDING BATH STYLE

Whether you’re looking for a simple, whimsical sauna that will give your backyard a cottage-like look, or something more modern and stylish, you can choose from a variety of shapes and styles for your new sauna, even going as far as building it yourself, which of course will cost a lot more than pre-built ones. options.

BATH-BARREL

The barrel-shaped sauna has a distinctive, unique circular design. These saunas naturally drain water, making them last longer. Barrel saunas can be used indoors, but they are much better suited for outdoor use.

Thanks to their round shape, barrel saunas heat up faster than other types of saunas. They also provide better air circulation.

If you buy a barrel sauna, it comes ready to install, without the need for additional insulation.

SAUNA DIMENSIONS

There is no one-size-fits-all sauna for your backyard — people have different needs and wants, so a variety of sizes are possible. Choose the sauna size based on the energy and space efficiency that suits you best. Here’s more information about the different sizes of saunas:

THERMALLY MODIFIED WOOD

For internal surfaces, it is recommended to use thermally modified wood, which makes the boards stronger, more durable and more beautiful.

Thermally modified wood is any type of wood that has undergone a heating process in a low-oxygen environment that completely dries it out, permanently changing its chemical composition. After the wood has cooled, it is moistened again, and the resulting wood is extremely strong and stable, environmentally friendly, light and biostable.

SAUNA CARE

The exquisite craftsmanship used to create modern saunas guarantees decades of use. The oldest operating sauna in the world was built in the 20th century, and it is still in operation. This is a good sign that with proper care, your sauna can last a lifetime.

Here are some cleaning and maintenance tips to help you keep your sauna in working order for years to come:

BEFORE EACH VISIT TO THE SAUNA

The most important thing is to ensure cleanliness inside the steam room. Before entering the sauna, wash your feet to reduce the accumulation of dirt and sweat. This will also reduce the likelihood of mold growing in the sauna. Shower before using the sauna to reduce the amount of sweat and dirt you would leave on the benches and floor after each use.

CLEANING THE SAUNA

Vacuum or sweep the sauna regularly, and do a deeper cleaning at least once a month. Always keep the sauna cold while cleaning. It’s unwise to do heavy work in high temperatures, and your cleaning products can release harmful chemicals when exposed to heat.

Try to use only chemical-free products and warm water. Baking soda mixed with water is a very effective and safe cleaning agent.

To remove stubborn, stubborn stains or abrasions, use fine-grit sandpaper. If you feel the need, you can wash the inside of the sauna with a Karcher - use a broadband nozzle with low pressure.

CARE OF THE WOODEN INTERIOR OF YOUR SAUNA

If possible, avoid using hard water. Magnesium and calcium salts cause limescale to form and you will have to use grinding wheels to get rid of it.

Do not use protectants or sealants inside the sauna to prevent the wood from absorbing moisture - it releases toxic chemicals when exposed to heat.

Always use towels during sessions and keep extras on hand for guests. Wash them immediately after each use.

Regularly clean the wooden interior of the sauna with warm water and a soft cloth. This will help preserve the wood.

If your lumber’s warranty has expired and the wood has become dull, simply sand those areas. Remove the shavings when finished, otherwise you may end up with splinters during your next session.

CARING FOR THE WOODEN EXTERIOR OF YOUR SAUNA

If you decide to treat the external surface of the sauna, use an oil that saturates the wood. For deep cleaning, use a pressure washer set on low.

If you decide to paint the outside of your sauna, be sure to use a product with a UV inhibitor as this will help the wood resist sunlight.

MAINTENANCE OF THE STOVE, DOOR AND VENT

Sauna stones do not require special care - just wipe them with a soft cloth. Well-maintained sauna stones last indefinitely.

Ensure that the door to the steam room is tightly closed.

ORIGIN OF THE SAUNA

No one knows exactly when or where the use of saunas began, but scientists believe it may have happened around 2,000 BC, somewhere in Northern Europe.

The very first saunas were probably some kind of man-made caves, covered with waterproof animal skins to protect them from wind, snow and rain.

Here are some interesting facts about saunas in ancient history: