Traditional saunas

Suitable for both home or commercial environments, these Tylo and Harvia sauna kits are easy to assemble, exceptional quality and extremely durable. Available in a range of pre-fabricated sizes and shapes, they come with everything you need to enjoy an authentic traditional Finnish sauna. What’s more, we can even come to your home or business and install your sauna for you.

What are traditional saunas?

Traditional saunas originated in Finland and have been used for thousands of years as a way to promote relaxation, wellness, and social interaction. It typically consists of a small, enclosed room made of wood, with benches for sitting or reclining.

The sauna room is heated with a stove that is typically fuelled by wood, but may also be electric or gas. The stove heats rocks, which then radiate heat and steam into the room. Water is usually poured over the hot stones to create steam, which increases the humidity in the sauna and helps to raise the temperature.

With a traditional Finnish sauna you get standardised use of sauna woods and interior design. Typically your traditional sauna will be manufactured from cedar, hemlock, spruce or pine. In Finland a popular sauna wood is spruce. Spruce is known for its light colour and uniform texture, as well as its resistance to warping and cracking.

Sauna-goers typically sit in the sauna for a period of time, usually around 10-15 minutes, before exiting to cool off with a cold shower, dip in a cold pool, or simply by stepping outside to breathe fresh air. This process may be repeated several times, with breaks in between to rest and rehydrate.

Traditional saunas are often viewed as a way to promote relaxation, relieve stress, and improve overall health and wellness. They are also seen as a social activity, with friends and family gathering to enjoy the sauna together.

Are traditional saunas better than infrared?

The choice between a traditional sauna and an infrared sauna depends on individual preferences and needs. Both types of saunas offer different benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to understand the differences between them before making a decision.

Traditional saunas, also known as Finnish saunas, use a stove to heat rocks, which then radiate heat and steam into the room. This creates a high-temperature, high-humidity (wet) environment that can promote relaxation, relieve stress, improve circulation, and promote overall health and wellness.

Infrared saunas, on the other hand, use infrared heaters to emit radiant heat, which is absorbed by the body directly. This creates a lower temperature, lower humidity (dry) environment that can provide many of the same benefits as traditional saunas, such as relaxation, pain relief, and detoxification.

One advantage of traditional saunas is that they have a long history of use and are deeply rooted in many cultures around the world. They are also typically more social, with people gathering to enjoy the sauna together. Traditional saunas are also generally larger and can accommodate more people at once.

Infrared saunas, on the other hand, are often preferred by people who cannot tolerate the high temperatures and humidity of traditional saunas. Infrared saunas are also more energy-efficient and require less maintenance than traditional saunas.

Ultimately, the choice between a traditional sauna and an infrared sauna comes down to personal preference and individual needs. Both types of saunas offer unique benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to consider your own goals and preferences when making a decision. Whatever you choose rest assured Sentiotec, Tylo and Harvia are exceptional sauna brands.