What are the pros and cons of outdoor sauna? An outdoor sauna is an excellent addition to any home. They allow you to reconnect with nature and enjoy all the relaxation and health benefits of a sauna in the great outdoors. Below we cover everything you need to know about outdoor sauna benefits and disadvantages.
PROS & CONS OF OUTDOOR SAUNA
What are the pros and cons of an outdoor sauna? The key benefits of an outdoor sauna center around how you can reconnect with nature and enjoy the rejuvenating experience of a sauna in the great outdoors. They are a private bolt hole you can retreat to when you need to get away from the stress inside your home. And, they are an excellent investment that add long-term value to your property.
The key disadvantages are the outdoor electrical works that may have to be installed and the fact that the cabin will be exposed to the elements. You’ll have to spend some time and money protecting the sauna from weather damage. Check out all you need to know about outdoor sauna benefits and disadvantages below.
OUTDOOR SAUNA BENEFITS
What are the benefits of outdoor sauna? Outdoor saunas hold many advantages compared to indoor sauna. They save indoor space, provide a private oasis outside the home, and help you reconnect with nature and the great outdoors. Below we walk you through all you need to know about the advantages of outdoor sauna.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
One of the best things about an outdoor sauna is how it gets you back in touch with nature. An outdoor sauna allows you to sit back, relax and enjoy observing the great outdoors while you work up a sweat. It all adds up to a deeply calming and rejuvenating experience.
Even better, when you need to take a break you can just step outside and enjoy the cool refreshing outdoor air. What better way to cool down? This is how traditional saunas have been enjoyed for thousands of years – outdoors and in touch with nature.
PRIVATE OASIS
Another great benefit of outdoor sauna is how it can be used as a private oasis. A place you can retreat to for calmness and relaxation. If you’ve had a stressful day, or you just feel the need to take a break from the pressures of your home – you can step outside and retreat to your outdoor sauna.
SAVE INDOOR SPACE
By installing an outdoor sauna in your garden or back yard you save on indoor space. This is great for people living in homes with limited free space. Saunas are big and once installed they occupy a large space – permanently.
If you don’t have the space or would rather not dedicate a significant chunk of your indoor home to a sauna – then an outdoor sauna is a great option. With an outdoor sauna, you can enjoy easy home sauna access around the clock without having to sacrifice any indoor area.
INCREASE THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME
Adding an outdoor sauna to your home will increase the value of your property. If you are weighing up the cost of investing in an outdoor sauna you will be happy to know that you can recoup the money down the line if you sell your house.
An outdoor sauna is a high-value luxury item. Installing one on your property will make your home more desirable to potential buyers. This means you can view the cost of an outdoor sauna as a long term investment with a potential financial return down the line.
RELAXATION & HEALTH BENEFITS
Outdoor saunas have all the same relaxation, well being, and health benefits as a regular indoor sauna – except they are placed outside. They provide round-the-clock access to your own personal sauna, seven days a week, in the natural surroundings of the outdoors.
No more rushing to a gym or spa to spend some time relaxing in the intense heat of a sauna. All you have to do is pop outside and step inside. In minutes your body will be experiencing all the benefits of sauna – deep relaxation, system detox, skin cleansing, and increased cardiovascular activity.
THEY LOOK GREAT
Outdoor saunas look great. Especially the high-end, professionally crafted models with artisan finishes. You can choose from a wide range of aesthetically pleasing styles that make a great addition to any home.
The timber construction and highly skilled workmanship used to make these saunas make them visually striking and very pleasing to the eye. They’re a great way of adding a little extra charm and warmth to your garden or outdoor area.
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STUNNING VIEWS
Another great advantage of an outdoor sauna is that they allow you to enjoy the scenic beauty of the outdoors. By carefully choosing how you position the sauna you can ensure you get the most from your window view.
If you live in an area of natural beauty you should position your window or viewing area so you can survey the beauty of your surroundings while you sit back and relax. What better way to enjoy the relaxation and health benefits of sauna than while gazing over a stunning lake or mountain view?
CAN BE PLACED IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
An outdoor sauna can generally be placed in any outdoor location. This allows you to choose the best area in the outdoor space of your home. Indoor saunas on the other hand are greatly limited in terms of location.They have to be placed in a specific area within your home that can accommodate the large structure of a sauna cabin.
An outdoor sauna allows greater flexibility when it comes to choosing a location for your sauna. This is one of the key considerations of outdoor sauna benefits and disadvantages.
NO VENTILATION INSTALLATION REQUIREMENT
Another great pro of an outdoor sauna is you don’t have to concern yourself with ventilation. Outdoor saunas do not require the installation of any ventilation piping or infrastructure. Most come with a small vent hole at the foot and near the roof of the cabin that facilitates movement of air in and out of the sauna.
These vents can be opened or closed – depending on your sauna preferences. Some people like to close the upper vent while preheating the sauna for a quicker heat-up time. Then, if you need a little fresh air, just pop open the vents and the fresh air of the great outdoors will take care of the rest.
OUTDOOR SAUNA DISADVANTAGES
What are the disadvantages of outdoor sauna? An outdoor sauna is not for everyone and they come with some drawbacks you need to be aware of. Below we run you through the disadvantages of an outdoor sauna.
OUTDOOR SPACE REQUIREMENT
The biggest disadvantage of an outdoor sauna is that it requires ample outdoor space. If you don’t have sufficient space – you will not be able to install an outdoor sauna on your property. Outdoor saunas vary in size.
The most popular outdoor saunas are built to house 1-4 people. And, each of these cabins are significant in size and need plenty of space for installation. If you live in a home with little or no free outdoor space then an outdoor sauna will not be an option.
INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS
Outdoor saunas require additional installation work. Most models use electricity to power their heaters. Unless you already have an outdoor electrical socket available – you’ll have to install a new outdoor electric power line.
All electrical work should be carried out by a licensed professional. So, unless you’re a qualified electrician you’re going to have to get a qualified tradesman in.
What About Wood Burning Outdoor Saunas?
The good news is that wood-powered saunas do not need an electrical connection. These saunas are completely stand-alone and have no electrical installation requirement. All you have to do is load up the wood-burning stove with timber and you’re ready to go.
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WEATHER EXPOSURE
Outdoor saunas are exposed to the elements. And, if you live in a region with a harsh climate – it can take a toll over the years. Indoor saunas are protected from the elements and as such are much easier to care for and maintain.
Rain, snow, and strong winds can batter outdoor saunas. And you’ll need to take extra care to make sure they stay in good health. If you have a flat-roofed sauna you will need to remove snow build-up to prevent structural damage.
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENT
Outdoor saunas need more TLC than their indoor cousins. Largely due to their exposure to all types of weather conditions. To prolong the life of your outdoor sauna you should periodically treat the outside of the cabin to protect it against rain. And, any leaks should be seen to right away to prevent water damage inside the cabin.
HAVE TO GO OUTSIDE TO ACCESS
Another disadvantage of an outdoor sauna is exposure to the elements. To use an outdoor sauna you have to go outside. Not everyone is a fan of the outdoors. And, if you want to spend some time in an outdoor sauna you must brave the elements on the way to and from the cabin. This is a significant problem for people that live in areas that experience harsh weather events.
SLOWER PRE-HEAT TIME
Outdoor saunas take longer to heat up compared to indoor saunas. When not in use a sauna will fall to the same temperature as its surroundings. This means an outdoor sauna will fall to whatever the outside ambient temperature is – often much lower than the temperature inside your home.
This lower temeprature point means it will take longer to reach its optimal sauna temperature. Outdoor saunas take 10-15 minutes longer to preheat compared to indoor saunas. The best temperature for a traditional sauna is 160-175 °F. Infrared saunas run at lower temperatures and you should aim for 120°F.
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- The Best Infrared Saunas
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About the Author
JAKE RAOUL
• Sauna Specialist
Meet Jake, a man with a passion for sauna therapy. Jake’s background is in science. And, his passion is wellness and basketball. Growing up in Orlando Florida, Jake enrolled in Florida International University where he graduated with a BS in Biological Sciences.
As a young man, he worked in the spa and wellness center at the renowned Breakers Palm Beach luxury hotel. Here he developed his skills and understanding of client-centered wellness delivery. Upon graduating from FIU he took up a research position focusing on the application and practical effects of steam therapy.
His research has contributed to advancing the understanding of steam sauna therapy and how it can be applied in the occupational health environment. His work in this area has been officially recognized for its impact on the field.
Jake is a devoted fan of the Orlando Magic basketball team. When not working and advancing his research he enjoys attending games at the Kia Center in downtown Orlando. He also likes to remain active in his local sports community and volunteers as a basketball coach for his local youth team.
With his background in scientific research and passion for wellness, Jake is a valuable addition to the Home Sauna Heaven writer’s team where he shares his knowledge and understanding of sauna therapy, steam sauna therapy, and how they can be used for best effect.
