April 3, 2007

What are Sauna Kits?

Sauna Tip! When returning to the sauna, throw on several scoops of water with the sauna ladle to create steam and to increase the humidity in the room. Raising the humidity level from a low five to eight percent to a more comfortable 15 percent will allow your skin to remain completely wet with perspiration.

If you have decided to install a sauna in your home you must now decide on which of a number of sauna kits on the market you would like to buy, unless you are planning to build a custom unit from scratch. Most people opt for pre-fabricated kits, however, which are easy to install and can be ready to use in a matter of hours.

Before you purchase any sauna kit you must decide if you want a traditional unit that uses steam or if you would prefer one of the newer, more innovative infrared saunas kits. The difference is quite substantial.

Sauna Tip! Enter the sauna and relax on the top level for 10 to 15 minutes. (Choose the lower level if you prefer a moderate heat.

In a traditional unit, you would need a special heater, wood-burning, electric or gas, that does take some time to heat up and will be create a more humid environment. An infrared unit has a different heating element, takes less time to warm up and penetrates deeper into you skin without humidity involved. There are benefits to both type of sauna kits, but you should choose carefully based on your specific needs and budget.

Once you have decided on which type you would prefer, it is now time to choose a specific one model. No matter if you have chosen a traditional or one of the popular infrared sauna kits, you now need to choose which package to order - either a precut or prefab kit. Though some people may think these words are interchangeable, they are not. There is a world of difference between precut sauna kits and prefab ones. Which one you choose will largely depend on your skill level when it comes to carpentry and even wiring.

Sauna Tip! Don’t smoke in the sauna. Also, if you are bathing in a sauna with other people, realize that the sauna door should not be kept open so long that it cools the sauna for those sharing it with you.

Precut sauna kits are for people who already have a specific room in mind in their house for the sauna. You will already have installed paneling and studs onto the walls of your chosen room. Once the kit arrives, you will install insulation, the walls, benches, lighting and a heater. You usually have to buy your own waterproof flooring tiles as well, and have those preinstalled. Does this sound like a lot of work? Well, it is. But the money you save on precut traditional or infrared sauna kits could be worth it. And with less material to ship, you save a whole lot on postage as well.

Sauna Tip! Remove all metal objects, such as watches and eyeglasses, and jewelry from your body prior to entering the sauna.

A prefab sauna kit is almost the opposite of precut. These are freestanding and come ready-to-assemble with very little effort or knowledge. All you need beforehand is the flooring tiles. The rest comes in this very hefty package. Included are insulation, how to wire, complete instructions and all the wood and benches preassembled and ready to install. Prefab infrared sauna kits are just as easy to install as traditional ones in this case as well.

As you can see, there is more to sauna kits than meets the eye. You can even have customized prefab, precut infrared sauna kits mailed to your door. Either way you are sure to have a blast installing the units, and even more fun once you can start using the finished product.

David Bloom is a health enthusiast and contributor to many fitness sites. He is the author of Home Sauna Kits, a blog dedicated to residential saunas and sauna equipment and accessories.

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