DIY Infrared Sauna: When it Makes Sense
Infrared saunas are growing in popularity due to their proven health benefits. In the past, the best way to receive a relaxing thermal treatment required visiting a spa, yoga studio or luxury getaway. Now, people can build their own DIY infrared sauna while also saving money. Although you can enlist the help of a technician to assist with the installation of an indoor or outdoor sauna, constructing one yourself is a rewarding project.
A sauna is a room or cabinet that generates heat. Over a period of time and at a specific temperature setting, the body stimulated to produce sweat. Sweating has been found to eliminate toxins, reduce stress and decrease fat. Additional health benefits have been revealed by scientists who have discovered the effects of heat therapy on patients with illnesses such as diabetes and cardiovascular issues.
Why Infrared Saunas
Many saunas now include infrared light. Research shows that infrared rays are able to penetrate the skin at a depth of 9 inches in some cases. IR light which is used in health and beauty has been proven effective in targeting specific areas of the skin to rejuvenate the cells. When added to saunas, infrared light heats up the body and promotes sweating while also expelling less ambient heat. Traditional saunas are responsible for generating a wet heat or steam which can reach high levels to encourage the body to sweat. Infrared saunas are a comfortable alternative to traditional steam rooms while still delivering measurable health benefits. A DIY infrared sauna enables a person to experience relaxing heat therapy at home when sitting through a session in an establishment such as a spa or gym is not possible.
DIY infrared Sauna Projects
Purchasing an infrared sauna is an investment. A custom built thermal room is not necessarily in the budget for everyone, so having alternative options is ideal. In certain cases, having an infrared sauna may cost as much as $10,000. The average cost is just under $5000 for a basic installation. Several factors go into the cost of purchasing, delivering and installing a unit including: the size, materials and labor.
Saunas may be small enough to fit one person or large enough to fit as many as people. The larger the sauna, the more materials are required and the more costly the project will be. Still, because the benefits of saunas are so widely-recognized, people are constantly looking for ways to incorporate thermal therapy into their lives.
DIY Infrared Sauna Construction
The construction of a DIY infrared sauna is not as challenging as it may appear at first glance. With careful research it is possible to design a custom thermal room that meets your specifications. If you are up for an engaging project, then there are a few steps that you can take to get started on building your amazing sauna with infrared capabilities. Before planning your DIY infrared sauna, you should do plenty of research to find out what materials are required and their cost. Setting a budget early will help you keep your product search focused so that you do not exceed the parameters in place. A DIY project is still an investment and choosing the right materials early will deliver the best results for your sauna.
DIY Construction Considerations
Determine whether or not your infrared sauna will be placed indoors or outdoors. The placement of the sauna requires a review of the space available as well as the required electrical connections. Understanding spatial constraints will also guide the dimensions of a unit. Once you have determined whether or not you desire an indoor infrared sauna or an outdoor infrared sauna, you can decide where it will be placed. Will you place your system on a patio or in an open area in your backyard? Generally, the cost of a DIY infrared sauna is less expensive when placed outdoors versus indoors.
Several types of wood are used in the construction of a DIY infrared sauna. Review the costs associated with the materials to determine which one is most suitable. For outdoor infrared saunas, it is important to understand how each type of material will respond to environmental changes such as rain, snow and various temperature changes. Your sauna should withstand both time and the weather. Alternatives to wood materials include: fiberglass and acrylic which are more costly than wood.
Infrared saunas must be heated in order to do their job, so it will be necessary to determine the type of material that will be used to deliver the rays of energy. Options include ceramic panels and infrared heat lamps.
Additional considerations when approaching a DIY project for an infrared sauna are extras. Depending on your personal preference, adding items such as windows, media ports, seats, magazine racks add to the functionality of a system. Building your own infrared sauna is a great opportunity to be creative while customizing your own spa experience.
If you are not interested in working out every single detail of a DIY infrared sauna on your own, you can get a quick start by using a prefabricated kit. The kits include everything you need to install your unit for half the price of an original DIY.
Investing in an infrared sauna does not mean that you must spend thousands of dollars on a professional installation. A DIY infrared sauna is a budget-friendly alternative provided that space is available. With sufficient research and proper planning, finding the best materials to design your own sauna with infrared capabilities is possible. DIY saunas may be installed indoors or outdoors understanding that indoor units may be more expensive.
Special considerations should be taken into account for either scenario due to the space and electrical requirements of infrared saunas. If the idea of building an infrared sauna from scratch seems too cumbersome, custom installations are available through professional service providers. Additionally, prefabricated kits which can be purchased online or through a supplier can certainly make the task building DIY infrared sauna easier.
