Sauna in an apartment - is it possible?

A sauna in an apartment has many advantages on various levels. Here are some of the most frequently mentioned.

Positive impact on health

It has long been known that regular sauna use brings many health benefits, with the properties of saunas having been utilized even by the ancient Romans. In the case of a dry sauna, these benefits include better blood circulation and improved heart function. Also pores on the skin are opening up in the sauna, making it easier to get rid of impurities, which means a more effective fight against imperfections. This property is particularly noticeable in a wet sauna, which is said to be a "natural beautician."

Another advantage is increased immunity. A sauna involves a much higher temperature than the ambient temperature, which perfectly strengthens the body and can help in fighting seasonal infections. If household members have problems with muscle and joint pain, they will also feel a difference fairly quickly. Although health issues should primarily convince you to consider investing in a sauna, there are other advantages to this option.

A way to relax

Stay in the sauna affects not only physical but also mental health. Even a dozen minutes will allow you to soothe your nerves after a long day, calm down, and relax, with the reason being the high temperature, which has a relaxing effect on the body.

Privacy

Saunas are often located near swimming pool complexes, gyms, or as standalone facilities. They can be quite crowded, which is an unattractive prospect for many people, and they are unable to fully relax. Having a sauna in your own home eliminates this problem, offering much greater convenience, peace, and complete privacy.

Owners of spacious houses, where it is possible to create a bathroom or their own SPA salon, have considerable room for maneuver, and sauna installation is not a problem. However, a sauna for an apartment raises some doubts, especially since apartments in blocks of flats mostly have a small area. However, there are different types of saunas to choose from, and it is very likely that the investor will find one that works well in their case. What is there to choose from?

Finnish sauna - dry

A dry sauna has a light wooden structure and is powered by an electric heater. Inside the sauna are stones, which can be poured with water while in the sauna, creating water vapor that increases the humidity. In a dry sauna, the temperature is between 60 and 110 degrees Celsius, and the humidity is at the level of 5-15%.

Infrared sauna

In recent years, the infrared sauna has enjoyed considerable popularity. In this case, heat is emitted by infrared rays. In such a sauna, the temperature is lower, but the heat penetrates more easily into the deeper parts of the skin. The interior, just as in the previous case, is wooden, and, similarly to Finnish saunas, ready-made saunas for the home are available for sale. In an infrared sauna, the temperature is around 50-60 degrees Celsius, and the humidity is 20-25%.

Steam saunas

In contrast to the earlier types, a wet sauna at home is a considerable challenge, and this also applies to a steam sauna. In a wet sauna, the temperature is 50-65 degrees Celsius, and the humidity is at the level of 20-40%, while in a steam sauna, the temperature is only 45-55 degrees Celsius, but the humidity is 40-100%. A sauna in this form involves a thorough renovation, and its installation takes a lot of time. The interior is finished not with wood but with ceramic tiles or plastic. A special stove and water and sewage installation are also needed. Such saunas are usually made to order and installed in the bathroom or a well-insulated room such as a basement.

Determining which sauna is best for the home is not as simple as it might seem, with many issues needing to be analyzed. What is most important?

Choosing a location

First and foremost, the location. Most often, a sauna is associated with the proximity of the bathroom, and this is the first room that comes to mind. However, in the case of Finnish and infrared saunas, where there is an electrical installation in the sauna and there is no need to connect water, it can be located equally well in the bedroom or another room that meets the requirements.

Heating type and time

Before the sauna can be used, it is necessary to heat it up. This is crucial for many people, especially for those who want to enter the sauna quickly. The preparation time for a session will vary and depend on factors such as the material used to make the sauna, the type of insulation, the sauna's construction, and whether it is powered electrically or by a wood-burning stove.

Type of sauna

The choice of sauna type depends on whether the investor wants to buy a ready-made compact product or whether there is a separate room available that is to be renovated. It is important whether there is a connection to the water and sewage system or whether the sauna is to be powered by electricity. Much also depends on the amount of space and the budget allocated to the sauna.

An alternative to a sauna can be a multifunctional cabin with a water vapor generator. Thanks to its unique design, it combines the function of a shower cabin with a sauna.

In addition to the above-mentioned aspects related to the installation of the sauna, it cannot be forgotten that there are technical requirements that must be met beforehand.

Sauna dimensions

First of all, you need to consider whether there is enough space in the selected room. There are different variants to choose from. The most popular are saunas for the home measuring 2 m x 2 m. This dimension ensures comfort, but there are also smaller ones to choose from, measuring only 1 m x 1 m, which is exactly the same size as a shower cabin. The minimum amount of space that should be allocated per person is 60-70 cm of space on the bench, so in a model measuring 2 m, two or even three slim people can easily relax. Height is also important, with a height between 200-210 cm being considered universal. With such parameters, there can be two rows of benches inside, and taller people will be able to enter without any problems. There must be a gap of at least 20-50 mm between the sauna and the wall in the room.

Ventilation and drainage

The sauna should have efficient ventilation, with constant access to fresh air and removal of humid air, but it cannot be directly connected to the ventilation duct. In the case of a steam sauna, the presence of a water drain is important, which will make cleaning easier. It is good if the drain has a siphon that protects against the ingress of unpleasant odors from the sewage system.

Electrical system

The electrical devices included in the sauna must have a separate electrical circuit. The requirements related to this are in the installation and operating instructions of the device. There should be information on, among other things, residual current circuit breakers or the cross-section of the wires. It is important to entrust electrical work to an installer with the appropriate qualifications (SEP).

To some extent, the answer to this question appeared earlier. You need to determine which room has enough space and how many people will use the sauna. Insulation is important, and whether the room has access to electrical and water and sewage installations. If a sauna in the home raises doubts as to how to make a cabin, you can consider either a ready-made Finnish or infrared sauna or commission the sauna to be made by professionals. A well-considered choice of sauna will allow you to match the model to the possibilities of the apartment and the needs of the household members. Saunas look elegant and stylish. If there is a sauna and a walk-in cabin in the bathroom or bathing room, such as the one offered by the shower enclosure manufacturer SanSwiss, the entire arrangement will look like something out of an interior design magazine.

Saunas are increasingly boldly entering households. At first, they were present primarily in villas and spacious detached houses, where there is no shortage of space. Over time, manufacturers began to design smaller cabins that can be incorporated into the decor of smaller rooms. Now, some are so compact that they can even fit in an apartment in a block of flats. It is an original and very attractive proposition, which is certainly worth considering.