When you decide to buy a sauna kit, remember to consult an electrician. The place chosen for the unit must be accessible for service. Sauna units require a dedicated electric supply line, usually a 220-volt line rather than standard 110 volts. Unlike a steam unit, a sauna will require a considerable amount of room, usually as much or more than a separate shower unit. Make sure you have the space available.
You can purchase sauna kits as opposed to pre-built models as this save money and allows you to customize the sauna in a variety of ways. Sauna kits come in either clear or knotty grade cedar. Paneling is normally included as an exterior finish. But, cedar can be substituted, for a higher price.
A sauna is a dry heat bath taken in a well-insulated room lined with untreated, kiln-dried soft wood and heated with igneous rocks. Optimal sauna temperatures range from 160 to 190 Fahrenheit. Relative humidity levels, which are controlled by the bather sprinkling water on the hot rocks, range between 10% and 30% depending upon preference.
Types of Sauna kits
- There are two types of sauna kits. A traditional sauna kit contains all of the inside materials needed to construct a sauna. A frame would need to be built for the sauna, insulated and then have its the exterior finished. You will also need to attach the sauna to the walls and ceiling and assemble the benches and door as well. These traditional kits can be constructed in 14-20 hours and are meant as permanent structure.
- The other type of sauna kit is the prefabricated sauna kits which are factory assembled and then disassembled, before shipping or purchase. These kits do not need additional insulation or framing of any kind. The walls are self-supporting and no special tools are needed to assemble it. It takes about 2-3 hours for installation from start to finish. Prefabricated sauna kits can be disassembled and then reassembled, at any time.
When you purchase a sauna kit, you are assured that the boards are cut properly and there is no waste, in regard to excess lumber. Items such as moldings and door casings are included. Building a sauna from a kit almost guarantees unnecessary visits, to the local lumber yard or home shop, in search of missing materials. They come with instructions, which should be followed closely and should be easy to understand.
The only part that is probably hard to accomplish is the actual framing. But, once that is completed, the rest of the assembly is quite simple and goes quickly. A sauna kit will save do-it-yourselfers more money than pre-built models. It also allows you to customize the sauna in a variety of ways.
You can also plan a custom-designed sauna as most manufacturers can help you plan a sauna that best suit your home and your needs. It will depend on factors such as budget and the amount of space you have available in your home.
