Sauna - Varieties and Tips for Visiting

Resting in a sauna is very popular because it is not only a place of relaxation, but an opportunity to get healthy. That's why so many saunas are opening in cities and even installing them in homes and apartments.

The word sauna comes from Latin and means a special kind of steam room - a Finnish sauna. It is a low wooden room in which the beds for the procedures are placed. The steam bath is hot dry air, without steam. Under these conditions, the body is heated evenly and sweat is released, cooling the skin naturally. Due to profuse sweating also cleanses the body of a large amount of electrolytes.

Revitalization of the body in sauna is due to the sharp change in temperature, so it is recommended between visits to the warm room to take a cold shower or dip in the pool. Such a sauna is built of wood, so the fragrance in it keeps very pleasant, fresh, healing and soothing.

Normal sauna looks like a low room, lined with wooden boards. Heat in it is usually supplied by the furnace by burning wood in it, but there are also modern analogues, when the heat is supplied by electricity.

It is easier to build it from scratch or install it in the ready-made room. Moreover, the sauna can be equipped even in the apartment, if there is space for installing a stove and powerful ventilation. These are the fundamental conditions that allow the installation of a sauna in an apartment.

Let's consider the main parameters that should be taken into account when setting up the sauna.

• Temperature and humidity. When using the sauna, it is necessary that the ratio of temperature and humidity in it was optimal.

• Windows. A window in the sauna is not a prerequisite, especially if the steam room is equipped in an apartment. And in freestanding buildings it is desirable to provide a window with double glass.

• Entrance part. Do not put wooden doors in the steam room. With high humidity and changes in temperature, this material is capable of deforming and drying out. The optimal solution is to install a door made of tempered glass. It does not change shape from heat and moisture, securely attached to the hinges, easily fits into the door frame and does not overheat. For convenience, the glass door is equipped with a handle made of material resistant to heat. This point is very relevant when choosing a handle for the glass door on the side of the sauna. The door should be made as hermetically sealed to the door frame as possible.

• Plumbing. As a rule, the steam room does not require a water supply, since the shower is set up in a separate area. You can also install a font or a bucket-octave. It is easy to make your own hands. This is a great option for cooling your skin after the steam room, contributing to hardening the body. To maintain cleanliness in the sauna, it will be enough to simply rinse the space with water from a hose.

• Furnace. Under the furnace is usually allotted a corner closest to the entrance. Around the furnace of any type must build a protective fence. Mostly in saunas are furnaces on solid fuel, gas or electric installations. If you plan to set up a sauna in an apartment (private home), it is necessary to use an electric furnace, as this type of equipment is easier to operate and safer.

• The power of the electric network. This parameter is calculated taking into account the fact that for 1 square meter you need about 1 kW of energy. Thus, you can calculate that to power a sauna with a volume of 10-12 m3 requires a three-phase network and power of 9 kW. If it is not possible to provide power to the steam room with a reserve of energy in the living conditions, it is worth looking at infrared cabins or choose a solid fuel option. For stoves are suitable stones with a rough texture, on which the water lingers, slowly boils and then evaporates. Stones with defects are not suitable - overheating will cause their rapid destruction.

• Ceiling. Its height in the sauna should not exceed 2 m 10 cm. Benches equip with free space and the number of potential visitors to the steam room. The ceiling in the sauna is made of the standard beams, vapor barrier, insulation and a board layer sheathing. Beams are usually made of 50-80 mm thick bar. Underneath they podshitytsi boards 20-30 mm, which are fixed with nails, selecting 3,5-4 times the length of the thickness of the boards. On boards laid foil - vapor barrier, and on top of a layer of insulation. Its thickness should be 1,5-2 times greater than the insulation, which covers the walls of the steam room.

• Ventilation. In a room with vapor and thermal insulation must provide ventilation. For each 1 m3 of the steam room must be equipped with ventilation holes 24 cm 2.

Modern technology makes it possible for everyone to choose a sauna according to the parameters and technological features. Designs can be built-in and very compact. Thanks to this it is possible to install them in different places and steam with pleasure.

A Finnish sauna is a steam room that produces hot, dry air instead of damp steam. It is a special separate room/building for wellness procedures. The incoming steam and hot air makes a person sweat.

The design of this type of sauna is different in that the heat in the cabin is radiated by an infrared heater. But this heat has a special feature - it heats not the air, but the objects in the cabin, including the human body. It is heated more deeply, which is much more effective than the heating in a conventional Finnish sauna. As a result, perspiration increases and the body is actively cleansed of toxins through sweat.

But owners of poor health soar in the infrared sauna, as well as in any other, it is advisable to consult a doctor. Also note that not everyone can normally tolerate high temperatures.

Nowadays the infrared saunas are used in the sport clubs and spa centers. Their advantage is the minimum of contraindications and quick readiness for use. Only 15 minutes of waiting from the moment of switching on and you can start the warming procedures. A normal sauna takes at least an hour to heat up.

Modern technology allows you to install a sauna cabin even in a city apartment. Depending on the available space and financial capabilities of the owners is determined by the capacity of the sauna.

Currently, there are built-in portable cabins for warming procedures. You can buy ready-made design or build a cabin from individual panels. It all depends on individual preferences regarding appearance, functionality and design of the steam room.

The advantage of prefabricated structures is that they provide the correct placement of the heater and ventilation. Ready-made cabins are available for purchase in different sizes. They are made of different types of wood.

The optimal solution - to equip the sauna in a wooden structure, achieving the most suitable microclimate in the steam room. But it is quite acceptable to place saunas in concrete and brick structures. Just they will have to be additionally sheathed with clapboard from the inside.

The arrangement of walls in the steam room assumes the mandatory presence of insulation. It is placed in the space between the outer wall and the cladding. From the inside of the steam room it is covered with a layer of vapor barrier, ideally for this stone wool. The material is sold in slabs and rolls. Vapor barrier protection is necessary because of the peculiarities of insulation to absorb and not recoil moisture.

The walls are finished with bricks and wood.

Mostly used cladding made of such varieties of wood:

• Aspen. Has enhanced moisture resistance and healing properties.
• Canadian Cedar. Loved by bath attendants for its pleasant light aroma.
• Abasi. The advantage of African wood is that it does not rot and does not warm up excessively.
• Alder. Also a popular wood for finishing the steam room.
• Lime. In such a sauna, the walls will have a beautiful shade and give a light aroma.

Pine is also used for the internal lining of the steam room, but after preliminary cleaning from resin, although when heated resin stains do come through.

The anteroom can be finished with any kind of wood. If the walls of the steam room is a layer of insulation and provides a vapor barrier, to finish the outer walls is acceptable to use pine and spruce boards laid horizontally. In this way the strength of the frame is enhanced.

If the walls in the steam room are made of brick or concrete, then between them and the insulating layer must be left a gap for ventilation. The walls in the steam room are not subjected to any type of treatment, because when heated, the lacquer coatings emits toxins. In addition, nothing should interfere with the evaporation of moisture.

For a floor in the room is great in the steam room is ceramic tiles. Such a coating is not afraid of frequent wet cleaning, is highly durable, resistant to abrasion and dirt. In addition, the tiles are easy to care for and subject it to regular treatment with antibacterial agents.

The way the rooms in the building will be arranged, directly affects the planned number of visitors to the sauna. As a rule, in the area of the steam room place shelves in two tiers, designed for sitting and lying position of the body. The presence of right angles between the walls and shelves makes it possible to use the entire area of the sauna. All shelves should be made only of wood. Between the boards should be a distance of 1.5-2 cm for the circulation of hot and cold air masses.

The width of the upper bench does not make more than half a meter to lie there with comfort. In front of the shelf there is a footrest. It is desirable to observe a "step" of 70 cm between the tiers. From the upper bench to the ceiling it is usually 1 meter in order to feel the maximum effect of the heating procedure.

Inside the sauna do not equip a font or "pellets", as a separate area is allocated for all bathing devices. In small rooms, standard shower cubicles are enough. And if the area allows it, you can equip a swimming pool.

As for the interior, harmoniously, naturally and very stylishly combines wood with stone. The use in the design of one room stone coverings of several kinds and shades creates an impressive effect. In such a combination, even porcelain stoneware with marble imitation looks very organic and rich.

The bathing process is divided into certain phases, knowledge of which is important for everyone who wants to get the maximum benefit from the procedure.

Beginners should start with once a week, starting with 5 minutes per stay. If you have mild illnesses and a strong desire to take a steam bath, you can get used to the hot temperatures gradually. For example, starting to visit it once every 14 days. But it is recommended and even highly desirable to get permission from your doctor. Those who already have some experience of visiting the sauna and good health can soar at least 4 times a week. Everyone is guided by his or her stamina and the body's perception of high temperatures.

For maximum benefits of sauna it is recommended to follow a number of rules.

1. Take a shower and swim in the pool. It is better to take time for this procedure before the start of the warming procedure, because a long stay of a steaming body in cool water increases the chances of catching a cold. If you do not have a heated pool with water of comfortable temperature, and there is only a cold font, this phase should be skipped.
2. After the pool, you should wash under a hot shower. This procedure prepares the body for warming up in the steam room. The skin signals readiness by a pink tinge. After showering, wipe your skin dry: you will then sweat more actively. Thus, the warming procedure in the sauna will be of great benefit.
3. During the first session you should not stay in the steam room longer than 8 minutes. It is necessary to lie on the lower bench in a horizontal position or with slightly raised legs. The next step will be to increase the temperature, for which it is necessary to take a higher shelf. But do not stay there more than 2-3 minutes! After visiting the steam room each time you need to rinse with water.
4. Cooling procedures. After completing the first session and leaving the heated room, you should stand briefly under the jets of the shower, setting a cool temperature, or cool down in a pool filled with water t of at least 16 degrees. This is the best option for the body, which will bring the desired effect. If there are heart problems, you should not take a contrast shower and dive into the pool!
5. After the cold procedure you should stand under a warm and even somewhat hot shower again, then wipe yourself off and wait about 15 minutes before going in again. It is advisable to drink water or herbal tea to restore the water balance.

The number of sessions in the steam room for everyone is determined individually. For beginners and people with poor health it is better to go up to 3 times at moderate temperature (to occupy only the lower shelves). But only 3-5 sessions of 10-15 minutes each are enough to get the desired effect.

It is forbidden in the sauna:

• drinking alcoholic beverages;
• overeating;
• Washing under a hot shower after the steam room;
• Staying in the steam room without headgear or wearing clothes.

• In a bathhouse with a swimming pool, a great choice will be a modern design with a roomy steam room and a spacious seating area, where you can place different pieces of furniture.

• If you plan to have more than 5 people in the sauna at the same time, you need to make all the rooms as spacious as possible. Otherwise, visitors will be hot and uncomfortable there.

• The effect of untreated stone in different shades brings a natural element to the sauna room.

• Combination of dark and light wood in the steam room.

• Creative sauna design project with an ensemble of lights in different shapes and shades.

• Original design of the shelves and custom lighting elements in the sauna.

• Using textured pebbles instead of stone and ceramic tiles for the floor covering - an interesting design move and maximum benefit for bare feet if you lay it on the floor, preserving the natural relief.