The predecessors to the contemporary traditional wet/dry sauna originated in the region of what is now Finland about 2000 years ago. The first saunas were heat rooms with fire pits in the center that would keep the space warm. The sauna bathers would wait for the fire to die down and the smoke to clear and then enter the room. This experience soon became ritual as a mode of physical and spiritual cleansing. These early saunas were very similar to Native American sweat lodges in both their construction and purpose.
Slowly, as Finnish civilization began to take root, the sauna evolved into a small building separated from the main house that accommodated a chimney-less stone fireplace. Stones would be placed within the fireplace and the entire structure allowed to heat up over several hours. These stones would be what kept the sauna house warm for extended periods of time, and released heat in the form of steam when water was poured over them. These types of saunas were still in use until the early 20th century.
As the sauna continued to evolve with the available technology, wood-burning, gas and electric heaters replaced the stone fireplace, and the popularity of the sauna greatly increased. In Finland, the sauna still holds a central position in the cultural landscape. Today it is estimated that there is about 1 sauna for every 3 people, roughly around 2 million. That means there are more saunas in Finland than there are cars.
A traditional sauna, also known as a "wet sauna" or "conventional sauna", is a small room designed for the experience of extended heat sessions for the purposes of cleansing, health and relaxation. Saunas can be constructed with several different types of wood, and all contain radiant heaters that heat the air directly. Temperatures within a traditional sauna can be anywhere from 180°F to 220°F, with the humidity while operating dry around 5 percent. However, when water is poured over the heater's heat stones producing water vapor, creating the "wet" effect, the humidity climbs to around 20 or 30 percent, and the heat within the sauna intensifies. A typical sauna session should last from 30 minutes to an hour, and begins with a shower in order to keep the sauna room clean. A person in fairly good health can bathe in a sauna as often as they like without worry of any harmful effects.
Contemporary traditional saunas such as The Sauna House offers operate on the same principles that have been in use in Finland and Europe for thousands of years, but with modern style and convenience. Pre-fabricated, also known as pre-built or "modular" sauna kits come in many sizes and styles, and can usually be assembled in a matter of hours using basic tools. They can be installed in virtually any area of the house that has a hard-surfaced, waterproof floor, and can even be broken down and moved if necessary.
Over the last few years, there has been an explosion of modular sauna manufacturers trying to take advantage of a great increase in the popularity and demand for sauna kits that can be installed in the home. Some of these companies manufacture with concern that quality, style, and function ability be central to their product. Other companies have produced saunas with mostly cost in mind, trying to win as much of the market as possible by offering products with significantly lower prices. As a potential sauna buyer, you need to be aware that with modular saunas, the phrase "you get what you pay for" always holds true.
Representing companies with the highest standards in manufacturing is paramount to our principals of business. If quality of product is your main concern while shopping for a modular
or custom sauna, visit The Sauna House.
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