People who are interested in pursuing good health often consider putting saunas or steam baths in their home. Saunas differ from steam baths in several ways. Steam baths are rooms that are filled with humidity and are kept under 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Saunas, on the other hand, provide a dry heat by heating rocks. This dry heat can be born at much higher temperatures, such as 150 to 170 degrees. Both steam baths and saunas are thought to promote health by causing a person to sweat out impurities.

Saunas are often found in finer hotels, in conjunction with hot tubs and swimming pools. Saunas are small rooms lined in wood with slatted wooden benches to sit on. The wood usually used in saunas is cedar, since it is able to contract and expand with heating and cooling. It also smells good.

Dry Heat

Heated rocks are kept under a grate so that people won't get burned on them. Occasionally water drips on the rocks, producing steam, but the steam quickly dissipates. The principle behind saunas is that of sitting in dry heat, not moist heat.

Saunas are reported to help aching joints and promote relaxation. It is best to use one for about ten minutes, get out and cool off, and then repeat if desired. Saunas take about 30 minutes to heat up. After sitting in the sauna, it is a good idea to take a cool shower to rinse off the mineral salts that were released through the sweat.

It is also a good idea to use hair conditioner and moisturizers, and to finish with a cold splash to close the pores. People who suffer from high blood pressure or heart disease should check with their doctor before using saunas. It is also not a good idea to drink alcoholic beverages while using the sauna.

Kits are available for building home saunas, as are plans for the real do it yourselfer. The floor can be ceramic tile or concrete, but must not be of any material that absorbs moisture.

Ready made home saunas look like a large wooden box, except that they feature glass windows and can be plugged into any 110 volt outlet. Cost for pre-built home saunas large enough for 2 or 3 people are around $2000. Ready made saunas are often already equipped with CD players for even more relaxation.