Sauna and Steam Room FAQs

  • Common Questions
  • Heater Questions
  • Sauna Kit Questions
  • Steam Questions
  • Maintenance Questions
  • Health Questions

What is the difference between a Modular Sauna and an Interior Pre-Cut Sauna?

A Modular Sauna is a panelized sauna that comes as prebuilt, modular panels that interlock into a  freestanding sturdy sauna room. The ceiling panels are secured atop to enclose the room. The modular sauna option gives you the freedom to relocate at any time! Modular saunas can be installed inside or outside (with the addition of a roof kit option)

An Interior Pre-Cut Sauna is specifically designed for new construction or situations where you have a spare room that's already framed in and insulated. Your walls and ceiling will then need to covered in plywood. A Pre-Cut Kit will include vapor barrier, T&G (Tongue and Groove) panels, sauna benches, a sauna heater, door, and all necessary trim pieces. Interior Pre-Cut saunas are permanent and cannot be relocated.

How hot will a sauna get?

180-194 Degrees F. All of our Electric Sauna Heaters carry either a UL or ETL listing which mandates that the high limit for electric sauna heaters in a 7' high room be 194F at the ceiling level.

What are the benefits of Himalayan Salt?

How does it work? By gently heating the Himalayan crystal salt, the hygroscopic (moisture attracting) properties of the salt are activated, allowing the natural humidity in the air to condense on the surface of the salt blocks, triggering the natural ionization process. During this process, the salt releases negative ions that in turn attach themselves to dust, bacteria, and other pollutants, effectively purifying the circulating air.This release of negative ions also interacts with the body on a biochemical level, aiding in the increased release of the body’s natural mood balancing chemical serotonin. Increased levels of serotonin are widely thought to positively impact digestion, memory, sleep, appetite, and mood.


Why Himalayan SaltWhen heated, Himalayan salt releases negatively charged ions which serve to purify the circulating air as well as allow our bodies to reap health benefits including stress reduction, energy increases, and mood boosts at a biochemical level. The vast wellness benefits of traditional dry saunas are well-known and when the effect of pure Himalayan salt is added, the result is a truly unbeatable sauna experience.

How many people can sit in a sauna?

Our Sauna Kits are available in 1-3, 4-8, and 8+ person capacities. If a sauna is listed as a1-3 person sauna then 1-3 average sized people would sit side by side comfortably. (depending on model)

Why is ceiling height so important in a traditional sauna?

Because heat rises. To keep the temperature optimal in your room the ceiling height in your room should not exceed 84".

Do I need a structural permit for my sauna?

Outdoor saunas and structures that are 120 sq ft or less, do not require permits (in the U.S.). Some counties allow larger structures of up to 200 sq. ft. without permits. You may run into some problems if you put your sauna right on the property line you share with a neighbor, a parking strip or an access easement.While adding a residential circuit is fairly straight-forward for any electrician, it may not be a bad idea to get an electrical permit for your indoor sauna. You can call your county permitting department to easily check. Most sauna installations require 220/240v power with a hard wire connection to a separate 30 or 40 amp breaker in your electrical panel. In some instances, a small traditional style sauna can be wired to 110/120v circuit, if the circuit to the panel with a #12 gauge wire.You will definitely want an electrical permit for your commercial sauna.

Do I need an electrical permit for my sauna?

Most Electric Sauna Heater installations will require a dedicated 240 volt 40 amp GFCI protected circuit. If you are adding your sauna to a spa, gym or any other commercial setting, you would definitely want an electrical permit for your sauna. Commercial saunas often have (2) 240v 40amp circuits. If you are remodeling the construction on your home it's typically a good idea to pay for an electrical permit. Then, when you sell your home you've covered your bases. Of course, many home owners simply declare on their Form 17 any work that was done without permits. Additionally, home saunas generally do NOT require a structural permit.

Is venting a sauna necessary?

It is important to to have fresh air moving through the sauna for proper heater function. The best vent locations are near heater just off the floor & on a opposing wall or a gap under the sauna door.

Do saunas require a floor drain?

No, as there is no incoming water supply, so saunas do not require a floor drain.

Is a sauna expensive to operate?

A sauna heats up farily quickly and is only ON when in use. The average home sauna costs around $3-5 per month to operate, when used for one hour- 3 days a week.

How does a traditional sauna differ from an infrared sauna?

A sauna is a room where the environment is very hot and dry. Water is ladled onto the sauna rocks to generate steam, so by definition, the infrared experience is not a sauna at all. Infrared penetrates the body with infrared rays and does not warm the actual room itself. Infrared panels achieve this at a low temperature and are helpful in relieving sore joints and muscles. The wet/dry effect from a traditional sauna is a total body experience, which ultimately provides joint and muscle relief, and a long list of other health benefits.

What are the Pros & Cons of the different heater types?

Gas Heaters: 

Pros - The Gas Heaters will provide a higher quality of heat that cannot be achieved by an electric heater.

Cons - Gas Heaters are more expensive and larger than most other heaters.

Electric Heaters:

Pros - The Electric Heaters are the most common heaters on the market. They offer a simplistic installation and a cheaper breakthrough cost.

Cons - Electric Heaters will add to your monthly electrical bill, depending on usage.

Wood Burning Heaters:

Pros - Wood Burning Heaters are the oldest types of sauna heaters which will provide you with the most authentic sauna experience.

Cons - Maintaining a certain temperature is much more difficult with a Wood Burning Heater.

How do I know what power heater to purchase?

A common practice is to use your sauna's cubic foot measurement. 99.9% of heaters will be based off of cubic foot measurements. 

There are 2 main ways to go about determining the heater you need.

First, take take your Length x Width x Height (in ft.), then divide that number by 50.

i.e. A 5' x 7' x 7" sauna is 245 cubic feet / 50 = 4.9. Then round that number up to the next best heater. So the minimum is 4.9 kW to heat this sauna. 

Another way is to take your Length x Width x Height (in ft.), and match that number to any of the heaters we have on the website. Their specifications for cubic feet maximums will be listed in the descriptions.

View some of our options below!

Electric Heaters

How do I install my sauna heater?

All heaters should ultimately be installed by a licensed electrician or HVAC professional. Your sauna heater should include an installation guide. Each heater will have specifics on how far the unit should be mounted off the floor as well as other pertinent information. If you have any questions, please contact the manufacturer.

What is a contactor box?

Contactor Boxes are responsible for protecting the timers/controllers from any electrical surges. They prevent the units from receiving too much power.

Where can I find heater manuals?

We offer Product Manuals for the heaters that are available on Saunas.com. All the manuals are in PDF format and available for download.

Do the Electric Sauna Heaters plug into an outlet?

No they do not. It is recommended that a licensed electrician hook up an electric sauna heater because it is hard wired. The Electric Sauna Heaters do not plug into standard outlets.

How do I reset my sauna heaters high limit switch?

All UL or ETL Listed sauna heaters have reset buttons in case the heater exceeds the allowed high limit (approximately 194F at ceiling level). This high limit switch is built into heaters for safety purposes. It is not uncommon for this switch to have to be reset similar to a tripped breaker on a circuit breaker panel of a home. You should consult your owner’s manual for specifics.

Most high limit reset buttons are located underneath the sauna heater for wall mounted units and in the back if it is a floor standing sauna heater. If you feel and/or hear a click when depressing the button, your sauna heater is reset. A springy button (no click) means that the high limit was not the issue and other troubleshooting may need to be done if the heater is not working.

Is it possible to achieve a dry sauna with some steam?

Yes! The Scandia units will provide the highest level of humidity in the room while still giving you that dry sauna heat. 

How long does it take for a sauna to fully heat up?

A traditional sauna generally takes between 30 and 45 minutes to fully heat up. While the sauna itself is heating up, the sauna rocks will be heating up as well!

If the pilot goes out (or get blown out), on the Scandia Gas Sauna Heater does it turn off the flow of gas? 

Yes, if for any reason the pilot lite goes out, it will automatically turn off the gas at the gas valve. This is a standard feature for the Scandia standing pilot version gas heaters. The Scandia Gas Sauna Heater, piezo-controlled, light the pilot electronically on-demand, which makes them impervious to wind conditions.

Can excessive wind affect the standing pilot on the Scandia Gas Sauna Heater?

Yes, in rare occasions strong wind can blow out the pilot light, on the Scandia Gas Sauna Heater. This condition can be resolved easily by placing a small piece of screen on the inside of the intake cover. This screen will break the excessive wind but will not negatively affect the airflow of the heater.

What's included in a sauna kit?

In every sauna kit you will receive all the parts necessary to assemble your sauna, a sauna heater, sauna rocks, a door, and a bucket & ladle set. You will also receive some other small parts like a sauna light, trim, and a thermometer.

What are the differences between the sauna kits that Saunas.com offers?

Interior Pre-Cut Saunas are specifically designed for new construction or situations where you have a spare room already framed in. All of the walls and the ceiling will need to be insulated and covered with plywood. We will provide the Vapor Barrier, which needs to be attached to the plywood before attaching the T&G (Tongue and Groove) panels. Attach the sauna benches & finally add the sauna trim. Interior Pre-Cut saunas are permanent and cannot be relocated.

Modular Indoor Saunas are panelized saunas that comes as prebuilt, modular panels which  interlock into freestanding sturdy sauna room. Ceiling panels are set atop to enclose the room. The modular sauna option gives you the freedom to relocate at any time! Modular saunas can be installed inside or outside (with the addition of a roof kit option)

Modular Outdoor Saunas  are panelized saunas that comes as prebuilt, modular panels which  interlock into freestanding sturdy sauna room. Ceiling panels are set and a roof kit are set atop to enclose the room. The modular sauna option gives you the freedom to relocate at any time! 

Can I customize the layout in any of the sauna kits?

Yes, all of our Sauna Kits are considered custom and will be tailored to whatever you specify. You are only bound by the space you are working with and the clearance needed for the heater.

We also offer a Sauna Builder Form! This helps you easily plug in all the information for the sauna of your dreams.

What is required to build an Interior Pre-Cut Sauna in my home?

A spare framed room with vertical studs and insulated walls & a non-permeable floor.

Most electrical sauna heaters work best on their own circuit. Most sauna rooms will use a 240 volt powered heater, which will heat your sauna much faster. It is recommended to have a licensed electrician install the sauna heater.

You also need insulation in the walls and a way to vent the sauna, generally back into the house. Venting directly outside may cause airflow problems for your heater. You do not want cold air blowing into your sauna from above, only below near your heater. 

Noteworthy: The Interior Pre-Cut Saunas finish the interior of the room. Pre-Cut saunas are permanent and cannot be relocated. If you are interested in a sauna that you can relocate at some point, check out our Modular Indoor and Modular Outdoor sauna kits!


Can Modular Sauna Kits ever be disassembled and moved?

What is the purpose of the backrests along the upper bench wall found in the sauna kits?

The backrests keep your back off of the sauna wall boards to prevent sweat and oils to be absorbed into the wood, helping preserve them for many years.

What should I cover my sauna floor with?

We offer a variety of Sauna Flooring options. Our most popular option is the Duck-Board.

Sauna flooring will be placed on top of your existing leveled concrete slab.

Do I need a roof kit for an outdoor sauna?

Sauna Kit Questions

How far can the steam generator be from the steam room?

Both Commercial Boilers & Residential Generators should be within 25' but the size of the generator can be increased to compensate for condensation if a residential or commercial steam generator are between 25' to 100' from the steam room.

What's the difference between an Advanced Hybrid Steam Room and a traditional steam room?

Mold, Mildew and Virus- free: Compared to traditional tile steam rooms, our Advanced Hybrid Steam Rooms are superiorly clean. Scandia's innovative Power Zone technology and the use of engineered materials ensures a sanitary unit. With just a push of a button, the Advanced Hybrid Steam Room is automatically sanitized and sterilized in less than an hour.

Cost Efficiency: These residential steam rooms are up to 50% more energy efficient than traditional tile rooms. This means smaller steam equipment is required and hundreds of dollars in energy savings each year.

How do I clean my sauna?

We recommend sweeping or vacuuming your sauna for dirt, hair, and dust, in order to keep your sauna in tip-top shape. After you've done that, we recommend treating your sauna with Sauna Wood Oil.

How do I maintain the wood in my sauna?

We recommend a regular application of Sauna wood oil. This wood oil will enhance your sauna experience through the restoration of the woods original aroma as well as extend the life of your sauna by increasing its resistance to pests and mildew.

How do I clean my sauna rocks & sauna heater?

Your sauna rocks can be removed from your heater and soaked in soapy water to remove any debris. (Make sure that the sauna rocks have had plenty of time to cool down before you handle them) After you've let your sauna rocks soak, make sure you let them dry before placing them back into your heater. Cleaning your sauna heater will be a lot easier when the rocks are removed. Most electric sauna heaters will not require much maintenance, but you can wipe them down with a rag. 

What are some of the benefits from Sauna Bathing?

There are numerous benefits from Sauna Bathing:


A saunas' dry heat has profound effects on the body. The pulse rate jumps by 30% or more, allowing the heart to nearly double the amount of blood it pumps each minute. Most of the extra blood flow is directed to the skin; in fact, the circulation actually shunts blood away from the internal organs. Eases pain within the joints and muscles, due to the increased blood flow. Regular sauna use is shown to regulate the appetite, increase metabolism, and improve oxygen utilization, helping to fuel weight loss along with a reduction in body fat. Heat has been proven to positively impact your mitochondria, the ‘batteries’ powering your cells, helping your body naturally produce more energy and stay fit

Check out our Blogs for more awesome sauna facts!