A sauna in the bathroom: pure relaxation | Duravit
A Sauna in the Bathroom: Pure Relaxation
Style & Trends
It is a standard part of every Finnish bathroom: a sauna. And you don't need a full-on luxury bathroom in order to be able to enjoy the classic wellness experience of a sauna in your own home. You can install a small sauna in your bathroom that will only take up about 10 square feet of space. Of course, if you have the possibility, you can also plan out a true wellness bathroom with a sauna. This article describes some of the key considerations and explains the different types of saunas that are available.
Wood stove:
A must in every traditional Finnish sauna is a wood stove as the heat source. The crackling sound of the burning logs creates a very special atmosphere, and wood provides the dry heat typical of these saunas. However, a connection to the chimney needs to be a possibility, and the entire installation will need to comply with legal requirements for wood stoves. If you want to heat your bathroom sauna with a wood stove, it's best if this is planned for when the house is built.
Our tip: A sauna with a wood stove can also make a great escape when installed in a shed in your backyard if connecting one inside the house is an issue.
Gas heater:
A bathroom sauna with a gas heater will come
up to temperature very quickly. However, one of the main considerations here is
ensuring proper ventilation for safety reasons. A sauna with a gas heater will also require a
connection to the gas line.
Electric heater:
The simplest solution for a
lot of bathrooms is probably a sauna
with an electric heater since these are relatively easy and inexpensive
to install. Unlike wood stoves and gas heaters, there are fewer safety risks in
terms of ventilation, and they also carry a lower risk of fire. All you need is
a high-voltage connection.
Infrared saunas:
An infrared sauna in your bathroom is not like a
conventional sauna heater, but it fulfills a very similar function as a kind of
relaxing "sweat lodge." Unlike electric heaters, a normal electrical
connection is all you need here.
Shower sauna:
Modern steam showers are
relatively easy to install, and they can be adapted to various conditions. The
2-in-1 solution can also – at least partially – help out if your bathroom has
space constraints. Although these are not saunas in the classic sense, with the
right equipment and infusions, they'll make you forget about having a
"real" sauna in
your bathroom.
Showers:
If you decide to go with
something other than a shower
sauna, you will still want to have a shower in the immediate vicinity of the sauna in your bathroom.
That way, you can cool down and continue to relax right after your sauna
session.
Seating and reclining options:
You'll often want to take
more than just a single sauna session over the course of the day; several short
trips are usually recommended for improving circulation. But you can take
advantage of the opportunity for even more relaxation between sessions.
Appropriate seating or reclining options are a great solution here – keep in
mind that these should also be resistant to moisture.
Aesthetics:
Bathroom saunas are traditionally associated with wood – and
for good reason, because the classic look of wood provides instant relaxation.
That's why saunas fit right into natural bathroom designs, and they work
especially well in combination with other wooden furniture and natural stone.
On the other hand, newer styles like infrared saunas or shower saunas work well with the futuristic and
minimalist look of many modern bathrooms.
