There are no wrong choices when getting an indoor sauna for home use. It boils down to your taste and preference, like your backyard, home, or even dinner plans. You can customize your indoor sauna the way you like, from the shape, design, and construction materials to reflect your style. 

Sauna sessions have been credited with numerous benefits, from adding the value of your home to the many health benefits. An indoor sauna for home use gives you the privacy you need to relax, detox, and unwind after a long day. We've together this guide to share the key advantages of getting an indoor sauna for home use. Let's dive in!

The Difference Between Indoor and Outdoor Saunas

There are several similarities and differences between outdoor and indoor saunas. As their names suggest, the primary difference is the location. Indoor saunas are normally built directly or free-standing in your home. They're usually installed in home gyms, attics, garages, bathrooms, basements, or spas. Free-standing indoor saunas are convenient due to their flexibility to move between homes.

On the other hand, outdoor saunas are usually constructed in the backyard, usually in your garden, or by the pool. Due to the space availability, there's an array of customization options.They're not limited in size and can be designed to leverage the views from your cottage or backyard. 

You can order different models and styles, such as raindrop-shaped, cabin-shaped, barrel-shaped, and more. The main difference between the two is that an outdoor sauna can be an indoor sauna using an electric or infrared heater.

How Do Indoor Saunas Work?

The way your sauna works depends on the sauna type you select. There are three main indoor saunas types: traditional, infrared, and hybrid. Let's look at how each type works.

Traditional Sauna

The traditional sauna copies the Finnish steam therapy tactics. The sauna stove heats sauna stones, and the humidity increases with the temperature, and you begin to sweat. Traditional indoor saunas are usually heated using an electric heater with temperatures between 150-195F. So, a traditional electric indoor sauna heats the air in the room to heat your body. 

A traditional sauna heated by electricity takes around an hour to heat up. You can pour water on the hot rocks to create a steamy session. A traditional sauna's health benefits include soothed joints and muscles, better sleep, and better lung capacity and breathing. The main downside is that it's more expensive and uses more electricity. Besides, the sauna heat doesn't deeply penetrate your skin, like in an infrared sauna.

Infrared Sauna

As the name suggests, an infrared sauna uses infrared waves to provide heat. It uses ceramic or carbon panels to produce heat as light waves. As the skin absorbs infrared light, the light changes into infrared energy, deeply penetrating your joints and muscles. So, an infrared sauna heats the body directly instead of the sauna room. 

If you're heat sensitive, you can tolerate these sessions easily as there's no steam and the humidity levels are relatively lower. An infrared sauna takes around 10-15 minutes to heat up to around 120-150F.

You sweat more in an infrared sauna than in a steam sauna because the body absorbs infrared energy waves. They're generally cheaper than traditional saunas. Some main health benefits include reduced blood pressure, detoxification, and skincare benefits.

Hybrid Sauna

You can also install an indoor hybrid sauna in your home like this Almost Heaven Newport 4-Person Hybrid Sauna pictured above. As the name suggests, a hybrid sauna operates as two sauna types in one. You can alternate between infrared and traditional settings to leverage both benefits. However, you can't use the same settings simultaneously, and the temperature and effects depend on your selected setting. 

Why Get an Indoor Sauna for Home Use?

Although indoor and outdoor saunas provide similar health benefits, there are several reasons to install an indoor sauna for home use. You'll begin seeing small health improvements as you routinely follow through with your sauna sessions. 

Besides, indoor saunas are normally quicker to install as there's no foundation needed. It also gives you more comfort and privacy. Below are several benefits of indoor sauna use:

Increased Home Value

Saunas have been long acclaimed for personal enjoyment, socialization opportunities, and health benefits. And when done right, a sauna adds a touch of luxury to your home. They've been used for ages in Finland and other nations as a status symbol. Sauna bathing is perceived as a sign of sophistication and wealth and is a perfect way to add a touch of luxury to your space.

Like your other home improvement projects, such as a bathroom or kitchen renovation, an indoor sauna enhances your home's value. In fact, a sauna project can have a higher return on investment and increase your home's value far beyond the installation cost. An indoor sauna for home use also increases your home's value in the following ways:

• It complements your property and enriches the appearance

• It's inexpensive to operate and doesn't consume much energy

• It's easy to maintain when you take care of and use it properly

This is an advantage when you decide to put your home on the market in the future. 

Indoor Sauna for  Privacy

Installing or owning an indoor sauna for home use provides you with the security and privacy you could never get at a spa or gym. This allows you and your loved ones a private and sentimental space to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the home sauna from the comfort of your home. You get to enjoy a relaxing and stress-free sauna experience whenever you need it at any time and at your convenience.