Saunas and steam rooms have rightfully become known the world-over for their incredible curative properties, and have taken their place as a reliable way too look after aching muscles, clear respiratory tracts and rebalance body chemistry. The principle of using heat, and resulting perspiration, to aid health and healing is thousands of years old – and over the centuries the principles of sauna design and technology have become refined and deeply specialised.
Now, in the new decade, post-modern designs featuring state-of-the-art technologies are surging forward to challenge age-old designs. Let’s take a moment to explore what traditional really means – and how it’s being challenged!
The Sauna (Stripped Down)
At its core a sauna consists of three main components:
An insulated room. Originally, saunas were clad with Pine; however natural defects in the wood could cause the leakage of superheated sap! Fortunately, newer wood processing technology can avoid these natural defects, allowing beautiful pine frames to re-enter service. Woods that we use include: High-grade pine, red cedar, abachi, hemlock, tulipwood, aspen and thermo treated darkened tones of these and other woods as modern technology allows for the thermo-treating and staining of the majority of lumbers. Wooden stained veneers and panels such as Taika by Helo represent contemporary timber saunas.
Aegean is at the forefront of sauna material R&D and are always looking to work with new materials that bring a contemporary finish to sauna design. New sauna materials include glass which can be coloured or laminated, stones including backlit stone options like Onyx or real stone veneers that can be shaped to fit curves, modern heat-proof laminates and even salt bricks.
A heater which is used to heat the air in the sauna. It used to be the case that heaters would be an unsightly piece of machinery – a huge box secreted behind a box or mounted on a wall. Nowadays heaters from brands such as Helo, Humm and Harvia can not only be unintrusive to the aesthetic but even form a centre-piece to the design. Traditional heaters often transfer heat from the heating elements to a collection of stones – which act to store and radiate the heat evenly.
The hot stones can be used to create steam on-demand by pouring water over them after they have been heated. Aromatherapy in saunas is achieved by adding therapeutic essential oils to the water, which is then vapourised when it hits the stones.
Furnishings for the sauna, the final essential piece, include the traditional ‘bench’ – but can now take the form of sofas, multi-level floors, steps and even recessed feature elements!
Colours and Lights!
Chromatherapy is a centuries-old principle of using exposure to particular colours to solicit states of mind; such as focus, relaxation and reflection. When combined with the uniquely relaxing and restorative environment of a sauna as well as associated aromatherapy, chromotherapy can magnify and reinforce the beneficial mental and emotional properties of saunas!
Infrared Heating
One of the major innovations to shake up the sauna scene of late has been the proliferation of infrared heating systems. Whilst there has been a flood of poor quality heater systems onto the market from manufacturers typically in Asia – Aegean recommends the use of medical-grade filaments for its infrared-based heating systems.
Infrared heaters work by emitting infrared light onto the skin. Whilst this doesn’t heat the air and surrounding environment, it does cause direct warmth onto the body. Some sauna purists claim that infrared heaters are inferior to more traditional systems but it’s simply a matter of preference as both have documented health benefits.
Sauna health benefits are impressive and myriad, from helping relax muscles and joints – to helping to boost liver and kidney function and kick-start the immune system. To learn more about how a sauna spa can change your life, you can read more in our blog!