| A Beginners Guide To Saunas |
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| Written by Bob Hobson | |||||||
| Wednesday, 26 November 2008 07:03 | |||||||
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Use and History of the Sauna
Use and History of the Sauna It is unknown exactly when the first sauna was built, but it can safely be said that saunas of one sort or another were in use by nomadic tribes in what is now Finland more than 1000 years ago. The original saunas were a tent in which a fire would be lit - after the fire went out, people would enter, similar to the sweat lodge of Native Americans. This type of sauna evolved into a smoke sauna -- a small building with a stone fireplace inside. There was a small hole in the roof where the smoke could escape but the fire had to die down before the building could be entered. This type of sauna was commonly used up until the 1920s when it started to be replaced by modern saunas as we know them today. The smoke sauna, however, has enjoyed a recent revival in Finland. Many people consider them to be the finest type of sauna. The 1930s saw the development of a different type of sauna stove which permitted rocks to be heated without having to be placed over or in the flames. With this development, the fire could continue to burn while the sauna was in use. The first models used wood as fuel, but this has largely been replaced by electric heaters. Various Types of Saunas Saunas are available in various styles and shapes. You can install them in your apartment or home or you can choose to have them in a separate building. Traditional saunas are functional and beautiful wooden structures. The worldwide popularity of saunas has spurred innovative new designs. One of the most unusual of these is the portable sauna -- folding saunas that can be used almost anywhere. They are just big enough for one person to sit in. There is a hole for your head and slits for your hands if you wish to read or talk on the phone while you are sitting in this sauna. The barrel sauna is another unique design. Barrel making techniques are utilized for making a small cabin that holds up to six to eight individuals. You can install your barrel sauna in or outside your home and heat it with either an electric or wood burning stove. The 1960's saw the first infrared sauna with an infrared heater as its source of heat. Infrared heaters work by heating objects and people but not the air, unlike traditional sauna heaters. Infrared saunas use an infrared light and those who use it agree to the superior benefits of health compared with traditional saunas. Sauna Construction Details Almost every type of sauna is made of wood. The walls, ceilings, and floors and benches are all made from a wood such as cedar or hemlock. The only non-wood materials are the stove and the rocks that are heated on the stove. A dry heat of around 70C to 100C is produced by a sauna. You can toss some water on the rocks on the stove every now and again. A cloud of steam is produced causing an immediate rise of temperature. The sauna can be heated with an electric or wood stove. Wood stoves are traditional in the countryside, but most urban saunas use an electric heater. About the Author: When you visit us you can learn more about the health benefits of a sauna and how to use a sauna.
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