Sunday, January 14, 2007
Health Benefits of an infrared sauna
Frequent use of an infrared sauna is a great way to detoxify. The Sweat you produce from an infrared sauna is said to be around 80% water and 15% toxins. The experience of a far infrared sauna is said to be similar to that of sunbathing, which gives you a radiant beauty and a glowing complexion.
The temperature in an infrared sauna is lower but it still gives you most of the benefits of a traditional sauna. The far infrared sauna is very invigorating and revitalizing for the body. An added health benefit of using an infrared sauna is weight loss. Some doctors also say that the infrared sauna is very effective for detoxifying mercury from your body.
The history of saunas goes far back in time, but the infrared sauna is a relatively new concept. The Far Infrared Sauna is also exceptional for burning calories, controlling weight, and removing cellulite. Because it heats you and not the air, the heat in a far-infrared sauna is not harsh on your lungs or skin like old-fashioned traditional steam saunas.
The Infrared Sauna is a ' dry' environment at lower temperatures. Studies have shown that the detoxification potential of a far infrared sauna is 3 times greater than a regular sauna. Another benefit of an infrared sauna is that it does not require water for its functioning. The far infrared sauna is a great tool to stay young and healthy. The other benefit is that it does not cost an arm and a leg to run it. The energy cost is low.
Building a Finnish Sauna
A Finnish sauna cabin is a nice addition to complement anyone’s house.
The traditional Finnish sauna burns wood. The sauna bath house is usually located in a small cabin near a lake or river. In North America, most outdoor saunas are situated in the backyard and the shower has to suffice for the traditional swim in the lake. There are several options for recreating a Finnish outdoor bath house. A builder could build from scratch using plans that are readily available. The second and better option is sauna kits or pre-built sauna rooms that make construction of such a cabin a feasible project even for the novice home renovator.
The Western red cedar cabins from Mr. Sauna make construction of a Finnish sauna a snap. There are several designs to choose from and each bath house can be assembled with a few simple tools. No framing or insulating is required. These are completely self-contained home saunas with red cedar exterior walls. All that is needed for outdoor use is the addition of a roof and a wood burning sauna room heater to recreate the Finland style bathing experience.
Another self-contained cabin is the ThermaSol modular home sauna that comes with an electric heater. The western red cedar wall and ceiling panels are coded for easy assembly. The Finnish style bath house comes with pre-assembled benches, a pre-hung door and accessories such as a bucket and ladle. These cabins come in a variety of sizes and fit perfectly into the corner of a spare room in your house. With the addition of a roof, ThermaSol saunas could be set up on suitable flat surface in the backyard.
You can find more information on http://buzzle.com
Building Home Sauna Yourself
For centuries, people have extolled the virtues of the sauna. A short time relaxing in its warm, dry heat can relieve sore muscles, invigorate the skin, and contribute to a sense of calm.
A sauna is essentially a room - by comparison, sizes range from a medium-sized closet to large bedroom - that is lined with wood and has a series of tiered benches along one or more walls. Saunas utilize a specially designed heating unit that actually heats a set of natural stones, raising the temperature in the room to 150 degrees or more while maintaining a very low relative humidity - typically only about 10 to 20 percent. Water can be poured onto the hot rocks to raise the humidity as desired by the individual users. The typical sauna has a ceiling height of only about 7' to trap in the heat, and users can move to higher or lower benches within the room to get more or less heat.
The size of the sauna is dictated primarily by how many people will be using it. As a general rule of thumb, most manufacturers recommend about 2 feet of bench space per occupant. The sauna can be placed just about anywhere - spare room, bathroom, basement, even outside.
Saunas do not require any plumbing connections, but they do require a dedicated electrical circuit to operate the heater. Some smaller heaters will operate on 120 volts, but most are wired for 240. Simple switch or timer controls regulate the heat output to preset levels.
Modular Sauna Packages
Modular saunas are ideal for remodelers and do-it-yourselfers of just about any skill level. Much of the work is done for you, required only a moderate amount of assembly. The package assembles into a completely self-contained sauna in sizes ranging from about 4' x 5' to 12' x 12', and custom sizes are available as well. Since it assembles into a free-standing room, it can be placed just about anywhere - making it an ideal choice when you only want to utilize part of the room for the sauna - and it's easy to disassemble and take with you when you move.
The modular kit is shipped with the wall and ceiling sections completely pre-assembled. Interior and exterior wood paneling is in place, and the sections are fully insulated and even partially pre-wired. All you have to do is bolt the sections together, assemble the interior benches, mount the heater and lights, and connect the pre-installed conduit to an electrical connection.
The typical kit contains wall and ceiling sections with clear cedar interiors, cedar benches and interior supports, a UL-approved sauna heater of the correct size for the dimensions of the sauna you've selected, temperature controls, a complete pre-hung door assembly, slatted cedar floor panels (intended as a walking surface over a waterproof floor such as concrete or ceramic tile), and a light, back rest, dipper, and a variety of other amenities.
Pre-cut Kits
If you'd like to save a little money by investing a little more of your time, you might want to consider a pre-cut sauna kit. Pre-cut kits are intended for use with an existing room that is already framed and drywalled, and once again, a waterproof floor is required.
The sauna kit contains everything you need to convert the completed room into a beautiful and efficient sauna, in sizes that typically range from about 4' x 4' to around 8' x 12'. If you have not completed the framing for the room, your least expensive option is to order a standard size kit and frame the room to the manufacturer's specifications. If you want to convert an existing room that doesn't exactly meet the kit dimensions, you can order a kit custom-cut to your specifications - it's more expensive, but saves you money in the long run since you don't have to alter the room dimensions.
The kit contains precut boards, typically western red cedar, with all of the necessary corner and ceiling trim, pre-assembled benches, heater, and all the other accessories that come with the modular kit. Options for either the modular or precut kit include a glass door and glass insert panels - which really help keep the smaller size units from feeling too closed in.
A Few Precautions
Never use any electrical component in a sauna that is not UL-rated, and make sure that circuits are of the correct size and all wiring is done by a qualified electrician. The door to the sauna should always open out, and should have a wooden handle and no locks of any kind. Also, the interior surfaces should never be treated in any way, since the high heat may cause paints and other coatings to give off toxic fumes.
Due to the high level of dry heat, you should always consult with your doctor prior to using a sauna, and always follow all of the manufacturer's specific safety and operating instructions.
You can find more information on http://Do It Yourself.com
Portable Saunas - advantages and disadvantages
The portable sauna is a sauna that can be used in any home. It is small and portable. That said there are two types of portable sauna. One is a pre-built sauna and the second is a foldable sauna. The foldable sauna is extremely portable, and gets the name of sauna on the go.
The pre-built sauna is a two or three piece unit that you assemble. The assembly takes less than an hour and that is a conservative estimate. You merely need a screwdriver to tack it together. Because there are so few pieces it is easy.
The pre-built sauna gives you more of a traditional look and feel than the foldable sauna. One of the disadvantages of the foldable sauna is that it cannot contain the heat as well as a traditonal counterpart. The other disadvantage is that part of your body is actually outside the sauna. On the other hand the foldable sauna is quick and easy to set up and store away. This is especially advantageous if you do not own your own home.
One thing is for sue both deliver similar health benefits. The question is which one will suit your circumstances, or which one you are most comfortable in. Think, whether you like the feel of the traditional sauna with the infrared heaters. Do you like the intense heat of the traditional sauna. Pick what is best for you based on your requirements.
Sauna Benefits
Saunas have been known throughout history to help relax and improve one's overall health, and promote well being. It's now possible to have a home sauna kit of your very own, whether you live in a huge house, or small apartment, without a great expense.
When saunas are used regularly, studies have shown health benefits such as improved blood circulation, restored youthfulness, toxin and heavy metal reduction, weight control, cellulite reduction, skin cleansing and rejuvenation, allergy reduction and rash reduction.
Both saunas and steam showers can be used to relax and unwind. However, dry heat saunas have an advantage over steam rooms or steam showers by helping to rid the body of more toxic metals picked up from the environment. Of course, the kidneys take out many of these toxins but a daily sweat can help reduce the body’s accumulation of lead, mercury and nickel in addition to cadmium, sodium, sulfuric acid and cholesterol.
You can find more information on http://www.sundance-sauna.com
Types of portable saunas
Portable saunas are becoming increasingly popular these days as people who lead the typical modern stressful lifestyle are realizing the importance of relaxation and rejuvenation. Infrared sauna kits are the first choice for many individuals, as they offer deeper tissue penetration, and a more intense detoxification experience than traditional steam saunas. But many modern high-powered lifestyles are run from homes that are short on space, such as apartments and condos, which don’t, at first glance, seem to lend themselves to sauna building, and certainly enjoy little exposure to the sunlight that delivers the infra-red light that is the therapeutic force behind infrared saunas. Portable home saunas can bring the benefits of saunas to any home, and with portable infrared sauna kits, you can be on the cutting edge of sauna technology.
Two Compact Units For Small Spaces
Portable Infra-Red Deep Heat Sauna – This compact horizontal sauna looks like a tanning bed and is as efficient to operate as a small appliance. The kit sets up in 15 minutes and plugs into a standard 110 V AC outlet. Just set the time and desired temperature, then lie down inside to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of this deep heat portable sauna kit. The operating temperature is a safe 150° F max.
Portable Steam Sauna – If the dry, radiant heat of infrared saunas is not for you, have a look at this kit that can be assembled in less than 6 minutes and weighs just 28 lbs. This steam therapy unit looks like a large bag and fits into your suitcase to take along on trips for true portability. Can be used for aromatherapy! This is one of the best kits that let you enjoy the benefits of steam therapy without the expense of a full-size sauna.
The portability of these steam and infrared sauna kits makes them the ideal saunas to accompany the modern lifestyle. Infra-red heat is completely safe. It is used in maternity wards to warm babies and by physical therapists to loosen muscles and ease pain. The portable steam sauna is an inexpensive starter kit to introduce you to the health benefits of saunas. You can always upgrade to a full-size home sauna at a later date.
