Sauna Sizes For Home Use & Healing- Choosing The Best Size For You

Are you thinking about getting a home sauna? Now is a great time to take care of yourself! Saunas promote relaxation, sweat out pollutants, calm fatigued muscles, and relieve tension. Who doesn’t need that?! This article will take you through what you need to do to have your very own home sauna.

Building A Sauna

First, decision: Indoor or outdoor? A closet or bathroom could be turned into a sauna. A home sauna can be installed anywhere with access to 120 volts for the heater or infrared lighting. Infrared or electric heating work best inside saunas.

An outdoor sauna can be installed on an existing porch or deck or independently. Wood-burning or steam work best for outdoor saunas. 

Types Of Wood For Building A Sauna

Because saunas can reach temperatures of 150 degrees F or higher, the wood used should be flexible and resistant to moisture and heat.

Cedar saunas are popular because of cedar's lovely aesthetic and anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and pleasant-smelling properties. Poplar and basswood are hypoallergenic and odorless. Hemlock is good and an affordable sauna wood.

Does Size Matter?

Sauna heaters come in a variety of sizes depending on the heater you want and how many people will want to use it at the same time. Most saunas have an upper and lower bench. The upper bench is usually 18 to 24 inches wide and 36 inches high; the lower bench is about 18 inches high.

The average sauna is about 6 X 5 feet. A good rule of thumb is that for each person there should be 2 square feet of seat room. If you don’t like being, “boxed in” a great tip is to add a glass door. This can open up a sauna and let in more natural light.

In private homes, saunas can accommodate one to four people, though two is most common. Traditionally, commercial saunas are much larger and can accommodate 6-12 persons.

The most typical custom sauna arrangement is L-shaped, with two levels on each bench arm. An L-shaped layout is nice for groups and conversation.

Sauna Dimensions

The size and height of your sauna will determine how many people can fit inside, the heater's power capabilities, and where you install it. If you're considering constructing a new sauna make sure you have these decisions already made. Keep in mind that larger saunas take longer to heat and require more power to maintain.

Temperature

Consider the sauna's location first. Most single use saunas are 1.8m x 1.8m x 2.1m. This size sauna will fit a top and bottom bench and heater. The larger the room, the larger the heater you will need. 

Height determines the effectiveness of the sauna. Because hot air rises, a high ceiling will make your heater work harder to keep lower levels warm. Underpowered gas and electric models may trip the emergency cut-off switch. Any ceiling higher than 2.1m (7ft) is wasted space. Smaller rooms make saunas more efficient.

Pre-Sauna Planning

Sauna makers provide detailed instructions on how to install the sauna and what is needed for set-up, such as the space, framing, insulation materials, etc.

The sauna room's ceiling should be well-insulated. Use fiberglass insulation and an aluminum foil vapor barrier.

Sizes of 1.5 to 15 kW heaters and 15 to 60 Amp breakers are common. Always follow heater instructions and hire an electrician. As part of pre-construction preparation, have an electrician check your breaker panel's power.

Location

Three variables decide the location of a home sauna: accessible space, proximity to a shower (existing or new), and closeness to a cooling down area. The most common sauna setup in the US is in a basement gym. Master bath suites are another popular and convenient location. Other options include a garage, converted spare bedroom, or completed or unfinished basement without a gym. Outdoor saunas are becoming more popular around pools, on pool decks, on patios, and in backyard landscape plans.

Standards

A sauna needs a smooth, level, and waterproof floor. Tile, concrete, or vinyl, (not carpet) work well. To maximize space and achieve a balanced temperature, sauna rooms should have a 6:4 wall-length ratio. Longer walls are preferable if you want swinging doors. If you enjoy laying down in the sauna, a 6-foot-wide sauna is ideal. The main top bench is usually placed along the sauna's longest wall. 

Ventilation

The sauna needs in-and-out ventilation. Ventilation is an often-overlooked sauna design aspect. A robust ventilation system ensures enough fresh air in the sauna, making it feel more open and comfortable and preventing lightheadedness.

The air input (usually 4" x 6") should be around floor level on the heater wall (commonly just below a wall-mounted heater), and the outlet should be on the opposite wall just below the top bench.

What Size Sauna Is Best?

Home saunas can provide wonderful health benefits. They can even boost your home's resale value. Also, they require less maintenance than a pool or hot tub.

After selecting to build or install an indoor or outdoor sauna, the first step is determining its size.

A 2-person sauna is great for couples or those who wish to lie down during their sauna session.

Traditional 2-person saunas are 4 by 4 feet and 6 feet high. 

An indoor infrared sauna is usually about 40 by 48 inches. A 2-person outdoor sauna is closer to 48 to 60 inches.

Saunas are ideal for entertaining family and friends. They boost the immune system, so it's a terrific method to cultivate healthy habits and protect youngsters and the elderly from disease.

Home Sauna Selection:

Choose a suitable sauna - Depending on your demands, either a regular or infrared sauna. Sauna heating methods vary. A typical sauna is heated using a heater covered with pebbles while an infrared sauna is heated using infrared light technology. 

Decide where to put the sauna - If you want an outdoor sauna, you need one that fits. Measure where you want your sauna to be located to determine its size.

Consider sauna users - Consider how many people will use the sauna to choose a sauna with enough bench space.

Consider the sauna's wood - Different wood varieties are utilized to make saunas, so choose your favorite. Plywood, cedar, spruce, etc. are sauna materials. Most installers prefer cedar for shrink and split resistance.

Dimensions:

A personal sauna can be from 3x3 to 8x12 feet. Each person should have 2 feet to sit on. A glass door can open up a sauna and let in more natural light.

Two-person saunas should be 4' x 6' to 5' x 7'. Sizes can go up to 12' x 12'.

Where should a sauna be located in the house?

Saunas can fit in most basements but if you are without one, try a shed, or deck. Any place with appropriate electricity for heat and sturdy flooring will work.

Can a sauna be installed indoors?

Great news! You don’t need permits for installing a prefabricated indoor sauna. All residential building rules still apply. There are some that install in as little as one day.

Is a bathroom sauna possible?

To construct a sauna in your bathroom, boost the water temperature and seal the area so steam may build up. Heat your water to 140 degrees Fahrenheit then turn it off to avoid burning yourself. Enjoy the effects. Some people like to do this and add eucalyptus or other herbs for a fragrant sauna experience.

Where should my sauna heating unit be located?

In rare cases, the heater may be positioned on a side wall near a door. Install the heater 170 mm above the floor, obeying minimum wall distance rules.

How many people will be using it at home?

Recessed lighting can be installed on a sauna's ceiling, wall, or bench. Because of their near-flush trim, stylish stainless steel fasteners, frosted glass lenses, and compact construction, home bathers and commercial facilities prefer recessed vapor-proof sauna lights.

How many people will be using it at home?

In private homes, saunas can accommodate one to four people, though two is most common.

How long it takes to heat up?

Traditional saunas heat in 30 to 45 minutes. Infrared saunas are ready in 10-15 minutes. 

Benefits of Sauna Sharing: 

• Build community and relationship
• Reduce Stress
• Boost immunity
• Increase weight loss
• Improve sleep
• Revitalize skin

Drawbacks of Sauna Sharing: 

The microorganisms can cause fungal or yeast rashes, impetigo, and other skin illnesses. Showering after use is important.

Infrared Sauna Benefits: 

• People who suffer from sleep difficulties report better sleep after using infrared saunas. When you step out of the sauna and into cooler air, your brain releases more melatonin, the sleep hormone your body naturally makes. 
• Infrared saunas are cooler than traditional saunas but have the same effect. Traditional saunas are 150 to 180 degrees F, while infrared saunas run about 120 to 140 degrees F. If you can't tolerate high temperatures but want the benefits of heat therapy, try an infrared sauna.
• Infrared saunas have been demonstrated to reduce chronic and localized pain. It can relieve arthritis, fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, muscle strains, sprains, and stiffness.
• Sweating releases pollutants and toxins from pores. This happens in both standard and infrared saunas.