Make Your Own Sauna

Before building a sauna, one has to decide on what type of stove is going to be used.  There are stoves which operate on electricity, gas, by burning wood and more recently the infrared ones to heat.  It is influenced by the place and style of living.

A person living in the countryside might be accessible to plenty of wood and hence would prefer a wooden stove whereas a person living in the city can either go for a electrical stove or a gas stove.  Although gas stoves are cheaper when compared to  the electrical stoves, people go for it.

While planning on the Kiuas – Sauna’s stove or heating source – considered as the heart of the sauna, getting the right kind of “loyly” or steam which rises due to the heating of the rocks when contacted with water depends on the usage of correct kind of rocks.  Quarried Finnish rock called peridotite is very ideal for the saunas, But quarried basalt, black from the sierra and cascade ranges of North America are used too.  Hornblende is abundantly found is ideal for saunas.  These are the rocks which can withstand heating and subsequent cooling without cracking and crumbling.  But these too needs to be changed after a period of usage.  The rocks shouldn’t be too large or too small, the ideal one is the size and shape of a potato.  Care needs to be taken not to pack very tightly or loosely as heating cannot be proper.  The heat of the sauna rocks can be from 950 – 1500 degrees F.  These are above points to get started with the process of sauna building.  The sauna room design, size and material for construction should be made in such a way that it gives a calm, soothing and relaxed atmosphere to the bathers.

The sauna rocks needs to undergo proper testing to avoid explosion of rocks.  To test on your own the sample rock is heated thoroughly for more than two hours and then cooled with the help of cold water in a bucket.  Look for any cracks.  Once it is cooled it is tested by hitting with a hammer of with another rock.  Avoid using the rocks, which crack or crumble.  If it survives the test, it is concluded to be the ideal rock for saunas.

It can either be away from the main building or adjacent to the building with a separate entrance for easy access.  A natural surrounding like beautiful flowering plants and trees providing shades outside the sauna will make the atmosphere serene.  Natural running
Water, proper ventilation for fresh air full of oxygen and subdued lighting effect will make the experience for the bathers a memorable one.

With correct planning, usage of proper materials, proper installation of heating source and cooling effect, one can experience the spa treatment at your own house without spending money for building a sauna.