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Home & Garden Articles
Escape the Hustle and Bustle in an Outdoor Sauna
Thu 07 Feb 2008 - 15:54
Escape the Hustle and Bustle in an Outdoor Sauna
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Urban]Kevin Urban
For those who want to get closer to nature, the concept of an outdoor sauna can hold a strong appeal. If you appreciate the relaxing and therapeutic health benefits of saunas but don't want to have to drive to the gym or spa every time you want to enjoy a session, you might consider installing a private sauna for your own dedicated use.
For many, this is easier said than done. It can be difficult - if not altogether impossible - to dedicate a large space or an entire room inside the home for a sauna enclosure. Unlike the Finns, we Americans are fairly new to the sauna craze, so most pre-existing U.S. homes were not designed to accommodate indoor saunas. Plus, depending on the type of sauna heat source you decide on, upkeep can be messy and inconvenient if your sauna is located in your main home.
For those who can't fit a sauna into their main living space, this can provide an attractive alternative. In ancient times, the sauna equated to a hole in the ground filled with hot stones, with a tarp-like cover suspended overhead to keep the hot air contained. The first Finnish saunas were built outdoors by digging into the side of a hill, lining the hole with wood, and installing a fireplace. In modern times, however, a backyard sauna simply refers to a traditional sauna enclosure that is located outside the main area of the home.
How are Outdoor Saunas Built?
Backyard saunas can be set up on a deck or patio in close vicinity to the house, or positioned in a yard or on the edge of a lake or pond. They are separately enclosed buildings constructed of wood (usually cedar, for its rugged weathering properties), looking much like a barn or shed. Depending on the type of sauna heat source you choose, it may be necessary to hard-wire your outdoor backyard sauna to an electrical source in your main house. If you don't have the carpentry expertise to build it yourself, easy-to-assemble kits are available from many manufacturers.
Who can Benefit from an Outdoor Sauna?
You may be a good candidate for an outside sauna installation if you meet the below criteria:
You don't have space in your home for a dedicated room or area to install a sauna
You want to use a wood-burning heat source
You live near a lake, pond, or river and want to position your sauna near the water
You want to build a poolside "cabana-style" sauna
You want to feel closer to nature during your sauna sessions
You'll be sharing your sauna with neighbors or nearby family members
You want your sauna to evoke the feel of a separate retreat or getaway
You want to enhance your landscape with the beauty of an outdoor sauna
Disadvantages of Outdoor Saunas
Being a separate building, a sauna installed outdoors requires more laborious planning and assembly than an indoor sauna would. It may need its own separate wiring and power supply, along with its own foundation and roof. Due to these requirements, an outdoor installed sauna will generally cost more than the addition of an interior sauna kit. Another potential drawback is the obvious necessity of leaving the comfort of your home to get to the outdoor backyard sauna. It can be inconvenient to have to dress and walk outside, especially if you live in a colder climate.
Cleaning & Maintaining Your Sauna
Protect your investment by following our recommended care practices:
Regularly wipe down the floor and interior benches with warm, soapy water
Avoid using harsh soaps and chemicals that may damage the wood or give off abrasive fumes
Periodically replace the sauna rocks.
Protect the exterior of your sauna with a carefully applied water seal
An ideal stress reliever, outdoor saunas provide a relaxing, therapeutic service while doubling as a retreat from the hustle and bustle of our hectic, fast-paced lifestyles.
About the Author:
Kevin Urban is a sauna connoisseur and the editor at [http://www.sauna-talk.com/ ]http://www.sauna-talk.com. Visit the site for tips on how to choose the right [http://www.sauna-talk.com/sauna-heaters.html ]sauna heaters and
where to find [http://www.sauna-talk.com/sauna-parts.html ]sauna parts
and supplies for building your own.
Copyright 2008 Sauna-Talk.com
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Urban http://EzineArticles.com/?Escape-the-Hustle-and-Bustle-in-an-Outdoor-Sauna&id=970947
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