If you’re a wellness lover, there’s a good chance you’ve seen, heard about, or even tried infrared sauna treatments. Infrared saunas are a hot wellness trend in public spas and gyms. And the best thing about infrared saunas is you can experience their laundry of benefits right at your doorstep. But the question is, should you get an indoor or an outdoor infrared sauna for your home?
Infrared saunas use electromagnetic radiation from infrared lamps to warm up your body from deep within at a much lower and more comfortable temperature than traditional saunas to detoxify and heal the body. The difference is that an indoor infrared sauna brings healing and detoxification right from the comfort of your home. On the other hand, an outdoor infrared sauna is designed to offer the same health benefits and take advantage of the outdoor views and space at the same time.
Below, we’ll give you a better look at outdoor vs. indoor infrared saunas, why the outdoor version might be the best option, and a guide on features to look for in an outdoor infrared sauna.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Infrared Sauna
An infrared sauna provides the same benefits whether it’s installed indoors or outdoors. That said, your choice of the type of infrared sauna depends on your needs and special preferences.
Most indoor infrared saunas come in a typical cube, box, or cabin-like shape. They are usually more compact than infrared saunas for the outdoors, situated inside the house, and protected from the elements. Hence, indoor saunas are typically easier to install and care for.
But when you get an indoor infrared sauna, that’s it; you don’t have the option to convert it for outdoor use. On the other hand, outdoor infrared saunas present plenty of unique advantages that an indoor sauna doesn’t have.
What Is Different About an Outdoor Infrared Sauna?
The main difference between an outdoor and indoor infrared sauna is that the outdoor version offers plenty of options in terms of style or design, size, location and view, and conversion from outdoor to indoor use and vice versa. As they are installed entirely outside, there are no limitations as to what you can do with an outdoor sauna.
In short, with an outdoor infrared sauna, any vision and idea you have for a home sauna can become a reality.
4 Reasons an Outdoor Infrared Sauna is Right for You
Preference between an outdoor or indoor infrared sauna all comes down to personal choice. But here are a few good reasons why an infrared outdoor sauna may be the ideal choice for your home sauna needs.
- You have limited indoor space
Space is a vital consideration when choosing what sauna type to get. And an outdoor infrared sauna is an excellent choice if you don’t have enough extra space indoors.
- More creative with design and size
With more space available, you can be more creative with the size and design if you choose an outdoor infrared sauna. You may wish to have a barrel-type sauna or a larger sauna with enough room for the entire family.
- You want an authentic spa experience
Installing an infrared sauna outdoors is one way to have an authentic spa experience if you don’t want a traditional sauna. It has the same ambiance as the traditional sauna but with a gentler form of heat.
- An extra layer of relaxation, with a view
An infrared sauna outdoors provides a space to decompress away from the hustle and bustle of the main house but without leaving the property. It can be more peaceful and relaxing. Not to mention, you can design the sauna to take advantage of the views from your home or garden or as much natural light as you want.
Innovations in the Outdoor Sauna Industry
Because outdoor saunas are exposed to harsh elements, they often come with modifications to make them high-quality and long-lasting. A few notable innovations in the outdoor sauna industry include:
- Better-quality outer paneling
Because outdoor saunas are exposed to harsh elements, they require better-quality materials, particularly the outer paneling. And it’s achieved through various innovations like using wood materials that have undergone a thermal modification process. Thermally modified wood is more robust, durable, lightweight, and efficient in terms of insulation.
- Convertible saunas
This innovation allows you to convert your outdoor sauna into an indoor one if you wish. Convertible saunas typically have a double roof, a flat one for indoor use, and a removable outdoor roof.
What to Look For in an Outdoor Infrared Sauna?
Choose the ideal sauna for your home with this inside look on the features to look for in an outdoor infrared sauna.
Quality Outer Paneling and Weatherproofing
When it comes to outdoor saunas, the quality of the wood for the outer paneling makes a world of difference. It should be sturdy enough to withstand harsh weather conditions—heat resistant, moisture resistant, and doesn’t warp or decay.
Red cedarwood, followed by hemlock, is a superb choice for outdoor infrared saunas for its natural resistance against temperature changes and moisture. Cedar, in particular, has antibacterial properties and a fantastic woody smell because of its natural essential oil.
Powerful Heaters
If you live somewhere that gets frigid winters, consider getting an outdoor infrared sauna with powerful heaters for optimum functionality. The number of infrared heaters will make a difference in keeping the sauna at the best temperature.
And since outdoor saunas are typically larger in size, the number of heaters should be between 6-10, depending on the capacity. For a 3-person sauna, consider having 6-8 infrared heaters and 8-10 heaters for a 4-person sauna.
Infrared Heater Material
Two common heater materials are used in infrared saunas—ceramic and carbon. Ceramic infrared heaters are effective and efficient in producing infrared heat and have a very high emissivity rating, which means they can produce plenty of infrared heat. The downside is that it tends to produce shorter wavelengths, which are less therapeutic and are not as easily absorbed by the body as longer infrared wavelengths.
On the other hand, carbon heaters are far more efficient and produce low EMF. They operate at lower temperatures but produce longer wavelengths, meaning the infrared heat from carbon heaters can penetrate deeper into the skin to produce a more intense sweat. Carbon heaters are the more expensive option, although they can last up to 50 years.
So, of the two options, an outdoor infrared sauna with carbon heaters is the superior choice.
Full Spectrum Infrared Heaters
There are three types of infrared heating—near-infrared (NIR), mid-infrared (MIR), and far-infrared (FIR). NIR and MIR are ideal for mild pain relief and topical healing, while FIR is effective in muscle relaxation, improved circulation, and removing toxins from the body.
Choose an outdoor infrared sauna with full-spectrum heaters. It offers a combination of all three types for optimal healing benefits.
Low EMF or No EMF Heaters
Infrared saunas are generally safe. That said, there is enough uncertainty regarding electromagnetic fields (EMF) and their potential side effects. Hence, it’s essential to consider the EMF levels when choosing an infrared sauna.
Look for outdoor infrared saunas with extremely low or undetectable EMF. As a guide, top-quality infrared saunas have safe EMF levels of 3 Milligauss or below.
Outdoor Infrared Sauna Kit vs. Custom
When buying an outdoor infrared sauna, you have two options—a sauna kit or a custom-made infrared sauna.
Outdoor infrared sauna kits are pre-built or pre-fabricated saunas that come ready-made or ready to be fitted to your backyard. They are partially assembled upon delivery, so they have the advantage of easy and quick installation.
On the other hand, a custom-made sauna gives you more freedom to fit the infrared sauna cabin into your space. It’s built precisely according to your specifications, meaning you can choose any design, size, and additional features. But because it’s custom, it’s typically a more significant investment.
Learn more about the costs associated with owning a home sauna.
Conclusion
Once you’ve decided what type of sauna and the infrared heater material, type of infrared heat, and EMF levels you want in a sauna, the next step is to start shopping around for the outdoor infrared sauna that fits your preferences.
