BIG TICKET
GWYNETH AND OTHER A-LISTERS HAVE THEM – AND IT SEEMS EVERYONE WANTS ONE
FEATURE OONAGH TURNER
The Nordic tradition of the home sauna has come a long way from the snow-clad pine forests of Finland, as UK homeowners are keen to explore holistic design in their living spaces. ‘When – more than 30 years ago –we began to imagine home spas, the sector was completely unex plored,’ says Marco Borghetti, CEO of Effe – acompany specialising in saunas (as well as Turkish baths, sensory showers and other spa-like installations). Today, it’s a different landscape entirely. If you’re tempted by the home sauna trend, here’s what you need to know.
These small, natural, timber-clad cabins can reach temperatures of up to 100C, but humidity remains low at around 20% so that perspiration simply evaporates (unlike the high humidity of asteam room). This dry heat elevates your heart rate and induces vigorous sweating, which helps to rela x and soothe. But studies have also found saunas beneficial for people with high blood pressure, arthritis, chronic pain and stiffness, and those experiencing stress, among many other conditions.
Sold? Us too, so where can they be fitted in the home? The answer is, surprisingly, pretty much any where. While the traditional log cabin you’d find in a Finnish forest is meant to be heated by wood-burning stoves, the modern designs are mostly electric, with rocks to ladle water to create steam, or ‘löyly’ as the Finns would call it. ‘The thing about sauna installation is that they can be fitted any where and only require an electrical outlet,’ says Marco. This ‘plug-and-play ’ aspect of the home sauna is what makes them so alluring – no faffing around with rewiring or plumbing. It does, of course, mean the sauna costs more than just its upfront price, and you need to factor in running expenses (although they are reportedly minimal). Electric heaters are controlled either manually from dials integrated into the heater or through Wi-Fi.
If you’re looking for something tailor-fitted to your space, transforming asmall bathroom or en suite might be one option. ‘We have previously converted spaces like lofts, basements, and garages into saunas,’ says Marjo Karhu of Finnmark Ltd. But you should also consider factors such as ventilation and the space bet ween the sauna and your walls. ‘With ventilation, in most cases, it ’s recommended to have two points of air intake and two points of exhaust.’
Not got much space? We’ve also spied some cheaper alternatives that are more of a budget-friendly kit st yle (check out Firzone for its £260 portable home sauna kit, with various versions also available on A mazon). Kits, while affordable options, are less f lexible. ‘There isn’t as much ro
