Do your sauna research:

What’s the best sauna company out there? Is an infrared sauna really a sauna? Can I just plug it into my wall? Should I do a indoor home sauna or an outdoor sauna? Whats the big difference with a “traditional” sauna? Okay we get it and we hear these questions all the time. We understand that there are so many options (and opinions) when it comes to what makes a great sauna and there are also so many “facts” that get thrown around that seem to good to be true. So our recommendation is do your own research to figure out what best fits your needs. Our recommendation is that you understand what a true & traditional sauna is and move towards that. There are so many great sauna blogs available like Sauna times https://www.saunatimes.com/authentic-sauna-blog/ that offer great advice on so many different topics. The more research you do the safer you will be with the end product.  

Understand what you really want:

Since there are so many options it should always come down to what you actually want and that is why spending a small amount of time to do some research is always helpful. Is it a Home Sauna Kit in an already pre-framed space that you have in your home (https://homecraftsaunas.com/product-category/cedar-sauna-kits/) or a prefabricated unit. Do you want a local company or manufacturer to supply you your sauna or a sauna from overseas? It is important to understand the differences between a dry or wet sauna (high humidity to lower humidity) rock density, venting type of build…. Did I just loose you? There are so many options but what fits best for you? It is important to know that you have the freedom of choice because there are so many options available and depending on your circumstances, finances and location can very well change the direction of your final choice. 

Define your Budget:

Saunas used to be looked at as a true luxury item in North America but over the past decade things have changed considerable as more options have become available and more companies are offering a range of services from custom installations to installing pre-fabricated kits and much more. Here is our recommendation when it comes to your budget. Understand that a good sauna will cost you money and typically a DIY sauna kit starts at $4500 – $9500 while an outdoor sauna usually begins at $8500 up to $15,000 but don’t just look at the dollar amount. Quality and money go hand in hand and ensure (especially with online stores and vendors) where they are sourcing there saunas from. Not all saunas are built equally so if you can find a company that fits your budget and builds things locally then your usually in for a win-win situation!

Go to a recommended company for help :

Depending where you live there is most likely many sauna experts and companies that can offer advice or their services to help you. Reaching out a local or company that can actually walk you through the process and offer helpful advice is invaluable and will give you the confidence you are making the right choice. Make sure the company is knowledgable about every aspect of the sauna from the heater to the actual build or sauna room. We at Homecraft have been offering Sauna related services to the greater Vancouver area for the past 3 decades. A good company should be flexible to make sure you get exactly what you want in a sauna and should also be able to offer technical support to make sure your sauna build goes smoothly. If you are looking to do build your own home sauna then you can find different online threads and group chats with all sorts of helpful recommendations for self builds and sauna related advice. We would always recommend asking for some advice to gather the most amount of information possible to give you the confidence that you are making the right choice. 

Don’t hesitate and move forward:

Its always a “great day for a sauna” but if your on the fence or waiting for a better time then you are missing out on many “great days”. For that reason start moving forward with your plans and take the next steps in your sauna build. Here at Homecraft Saunas we would be happy to assist you in making this happen so feel free to reach out to us with any questions and we will be happy to work with you to achieve your sauna goals. 

“The sauna was a place to cleanse the body and was considered a sterile environment.”

For most people today the purchase of these types of luxury items is between one or the other. Oftentimes the financial investment alone makes these types of purchases a one time “splurge” not a regular thing. Traditionally the North American market has a bigger affinity towards the hot tub but there is growing awareness and popularity with Saunas that is seeing sales increase year after year. Since the hot tub traditionally has been the “go-to” for most people we want to highlight some of the reasons why you might want to consider an outdoor sauna for your home.

Personal Preference or Persona Prejudice?

How can you not enter a decision with an already preconceived idea or preference in mind? Most people have spent some time in a hot tub and have a certain memory or experience that comes to mind. Maybe it connects your memory with a vacation or spending time with friends or family. When it comes to sauna use in Canada (Or North America in general) the majority of people haven’t had those same experience or memories. Oftentimes the addition of a hot tub is the automatic response because of the lack of awareness into the amazing benefits, affordability and culture a sauna can bring to your home.

Initial costs vs your long term costs

A decent brand new hot tub for 4 people will cost you around $8000 – $12000 dollars and so when it comes to cost comparable’s you will find that the price of a prefabricated outdoor unit will cost within the same range and so pricing between a hot tub and sauna are relatively equal. The major differences comes down to the consistent monthly costs that begin to accumulate with hot tub use over sauna use. A general rule of thumb for maintenance is between $20-$40 a month depending on the type and style of the hot tub so a fair estimate is about $360 in maintenance a year which is not a huge amount begins to accumulate over time especially when compared to the fact that a sauna does not require a monthly investment. 

The Maintenance Question

Hot tub: Water levels, chemicals, water pumps, switching out the water, winter prep etc etc. 

Sauna: Sit, Sweat, cold plunge, repeat, enjoy!! 

Just to be fair, there are some minor things that saunas may need. An initial investment in a wood sauna sealant to better protect the wood nor is a once a year sauna clean a bad idea but other then that, Enjoy!

Weighing the Health Benefits

Over the past several years more and more studies are showing the real health benefits of consistent sauna use. From Cardiovascular improvements to skin care the benefits of consistent sauna use is becoming widely accepted and known. Beyond the health benefits there probably is a reason the Finns are the happiest people in the world! Creating a culture of sauna use is also tremendously centring and relaxing. Hot tub use often brings a certain amount of relaxation and can help a person sleep but there are no studies that show that it actually is beneficial to your overall health. Once again it just goes to show you the tremendous benefits of investing in an outdoor sauna over a hot tub. 

Which holds it’s value more?

Like most items we have there is usually some depreciation over time from the original value. Since hot tubs are such a common item the resale value is oftentimes less then what you would get in selling a used outdoor sauna. The fact that a quality built outdoor sauna (like our cottage sauna) should outlast a hot tub in lifespan gives added value when it comes to every deciding to part with it (which we don’t ever suggest).

The Homecraft Conclusion

So… Yes we are a biased group over here at Homecraft but we also can see that the investment into an outdoor sauna far outweighs what you will get in a hot tub so if you are on the fence maybe these few thoughts will help you solidify a decision.