If you’re looking to add a little luxury, relaxation, and potential health benefits into your life, investing in a sauna or steam room is a great idea. But which is better – a dry sauna or a wet steam room? This guide will compare saunas vs steam rooms to help you decide.
As the owner of a sauna and steam room installation company based in Dubai, I’ve seen these amenities completely transform homes from ordinary to oases of wellness and tranquility. Below, I’ll over everything you need to know to choose between installing a sauna or steam room.
Sauna vs Steam Room: Key Differences
While saunas and steam rooms both involve sitting in an enclosed, heated space, there are some key differences:
Heat method:
- Saunas use dry heat, with temperatures typically between 150-200°F. Dry sauna heat comes from a stove with rocks that heat up the room.
- Steam rooms use wet heat, with temperatures around 110-115°F. Steam is released to create humidity up to 100%.
Construction:
- Saunas require cedar wood paneling and a heater with ventiliation. Steam rooms require a generator, tiles, and waterproof floor and walls.
Experience:
- Saunas feel hot and dry. Steam rooms feel warm, moist, and foggy. Both make you sweat!
Now that we’ve covered the basic differences, let’s dive deeper into comparing sauna vs steam room by looking at setup and use, health benefits, considerations for your home, costs, and recommendations.
Sauna vs Steam Room: Setup and Use
Using a Sauna
A dry sauna session will typically last 10-30 minutes. The sauna should be pre-heated to approximately 158-194°F before entering. Pour some water over the sauna rocks if you want to create a quick burst of steam.
It’s important to hydrate before, during and after use. Limit your first few sessions to 5-10 minutes as your body gets used to the heat. Cool down gradually when you’re done.
Using a Steam Room
For a steam room, allow 10-15 minutes for steam to be generated before entering. Sessions are also typically 10-30 minutes. The high humidity will make the steam room feel hotter than the actual temperature.
Like a sauna, be sure to hydrate and take breaks as needed. Enter slowly and exit gradually.
Sauna vs Steam: Health Benefits
So what exactly will you gain from using a sauna or steam room? Let’s compare some top health benefits:
Sauna Health Benefits
- Cardiovascular improvements – Saunas have been shown to improve blood pressure, circulation and vascular function. Using a sauna a few times per week may lower your risk of cardiovascular disease over the long term.
- Relief of aches and pains – The dry heat is excellent for temporarily relieving muscle soreness, joint pain and stiffness. Athletes frequently use saunas to promote healing and recovery.
- Detoxification – Sweating opens pores and stimulates circulation to mobilize toxins out through the skin. Using a sauna can assist the body in natural cleansing processes.
- Stress relief – Time in the sauna deeply relaxes both mind and body, melting away tension.
- Potential immune system boost – Some research linking sauna use to fewer colds has been done, but more studies are still needed in this area.
Steam Room Benefits
- Cardiovascular support – Like saunas, steam rooms have been found to improve vascular function and blood flow. Using a steam room may support healthy blood pressure over time.
- Relaxation – The moist heat has an ultra-soothing effect for both mind and body. The experience can aid restful sleep.
- Respiratory relief – Inhaling the warm steam helps open airways. This makes steam particularly helpful for congestion relief if you have a cold. It may also ease symptoms of certain lung diseases.
- Healthy skin – Steam rooms have been used for centuries to cleanse skin, unclog pores and encourage a youthful glow. They may help with issues like acne. The moisture is also hydrating.
- Pain relief – The warmth and humidity can temporarily alleviate pain from strained muscles, arthritis, chronic headaches and other conditions.
As you can see, both saunas and steam offer some excellent whole-body benefits!
Comparing Sauna vs Steam: Costs and Considerations for Your Home
Deciding between a sauna vs steam room for your home depends on several factors:
Sauna Costs and Considerations
- A home sauna costs $2,500 to $5,000 on average for a prebuilt kit. Custom builds with cedar paneling, upgraded heaters and lighting can run $5,000 to $10,000+.
- Saunas require dedicated electrical circuits and good ventilation. Installation is complex, so professional help is strongly advised unless you have wiring and construction experience.
- Expect to allot approximately 100 square feet for a 4-6 person sauna. They can be indoor or outdoor.
- Because of the dry heat, waterproofing is not required in sauna construction.
- Saunas pair well with cold plunge pools for hot/cold therapy.
Steam Room Costs and Considerations
- Prebuilt steam room kits often run between $3,000 and $8,000. Fully customized build outs with tile, glass doors and lighting can cost $10,000+.
- Steam rooms require plumbing, drainage and may need ventilation. Controlling moisture and mold growth with dehumidifiers/air circulation is vital for health and safety.
- You’ll want to allot 50-100 sq ft to comfortably fit 2+ people. Steam rooms must be indoor.
- Focus heavily on using waterproof, non-porous construction materials in the floor, walls and ceiling. Tiles designed for steam rooms are best to prevent damage over time.
As you budget your project, factor in costs not just for materials and installation but also for ongoing maintenance. Consider any electrical upgrades needed in your home to support the room you choose.
Sauna or Steam Room: Which Is Better for Me? Recommendations
With all the info above in mind, here are my top recommendations on which option may suit you best:
Best for Athletes/Exercise Enthusiasts – Sauna
The intense dry heat of a sauna helps muscle recovery after tough workouts. Saunas are popular in gyms and sports therapy clinics for good reason! If you love sports or high intensity functional training, go for a sauna.
Best for Overall Relaxation – Steam Room
While both saunas and steam rooms offer stress and tension relief, there’s nothing quite like a steam room for completely melting worries away. The soothing moist air, gentle warmth and tranquil ambience is heavenly. Pick a steam room for pure, tranquil relaxation.
Best for Respiratory Issues – Steam Room
For breathing issues ranging from simple colds to chronic lung problems like COPD, steam rooms allow you to deeply inhale moist, warm air directly into airways. This helps loosen mucus, open passages wider and provide therapeutic respiratory relief with regular use. Those with respiratory conditions should absolutely opt for steam.
Best for Social Gatherings – Sauna
Saunas heat up fast and can comfortably fit more people together to socialize as you sweat out toxins. The dry air also makes conversation easier without steam obscuring vision. If you want a space to unwind that doubles for fun gatherings, a roomy sauna is fantastic.
Best for Smaller Spaces – Steam Room
For compact areas like apartments/condos, steam rooms require less square footage than saunas. You also don’t need ceiling height for ventilation. Just be sure to use moisture-resistant building materials.
Best for Outdoors – Sauna
Saunas are a great addition to outdoor areas like poolside cabanas, decks, garages or backyards since ventilation is easier. Steam rooms must remain indoors only.
I hope the details above on comparing sauna vs steam room help guide your decision process. Still unsure? Reach out to us anytime for a free consultation on your project!
Frequently Asked Questions About Saunas and Steam Rooms
As you consider adding a sauna or steam room to your home, here are answers to some common questions:
Are saunas or steam rooms better for weight loss?
While both can burn calories in use due to raising your heart rate, saunas appear to have more potential to help lead to lasting weight loss results. Studies show blood flow and circulation improvements from regular sauna use may help the body metabolize fat more effectively long-term.
How often can you use a sauna or steam room?
It’s generally safe for most healthy adults to use either option a few times per week, but start slow. Limit initial sessions to 10 minutes then build up gradually to 20-30 minutes max as your body adjusts. Hydration is vital, so drink water before, during and after. Allow cooling off periods between sessions. Those new to heat therapy should consult their doctor first.
What health conditions are saunas or steam rooms unsafe for?
People with certain medical issues should check with a doctor before using either type of heat therapy. Those with heart problems, low blood pressure, pregnancy complications or respiratory issues need medical guidance on safe heat levels. Elderly individuals, small children and those under the influence of drugs/alcohol should also use extreme caution.
How often do saunas/steam rooms need cleaning?
To prevent mold, mildew and bacterial growth, thoroughly clean wet steam room surfaces weekly. Use natural cleaners to prevent lung irritation. Disinfect saunas monthly paying close attention to hygiene of benches, flooring and accessories. Wipe down after each use.
Follow all manufacturer maintenance guidelines for your model including drain flushing and part inspection/replacement.
What’s better – infrared, traditional or steam?
Infrared saunas utilize different wavelengths for targeted penetrating heat that may offer extra detoxification benefits. However, traditional saunas and steam rooms have more research backing their far-infrared and thermal therapy advantages. All provide different but useful experiences depending on if you prioritize intensity, circulation benefits, comfort or convenience.
Conclusion
Hopefully this complete guide has covered all the details needed to decide whether your home would benefit more from a rejuvenating sauna or tranquil steam room. Both can transform your living space into a relaxing daily retreat.
As the owner of a sauna and steam room installation company based right here in Dubai, get in touch if you have any other questions or want a custom quote for bringing one of these wellness enhancing sanctuaries into your life! My team specializes in top quality materials, efficient installations, warrantied construction and seamless project management from start to finish.