di elisaviroli
Outdoor Sauna - Cabanon Garden Medium Deck, muschio color
INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS AN OUTDOOR SAUNA?
As the name suggests, an outdoor sauna offers a traditional sauna experience outside,normally in your garden or a natural setting. It is a great place to relax, where you can immerse yourself in nature in the comfort of your home. Outdoor saunas are normally built with traditional, hard-wearing materials like wood, but for a more contemporary and sophisticated look, innovative materials such as the matte painted corrugated aluminium of Cabanon by Effe are now being used.
Outdoor saunas come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be customised with features such as glass walls and outdoor decks for a truly tailor-made experience. You can choose from a range of heating systems, including wood-burning, electric or infrared, to suit both your personal tastes and installation needs.
An outdoor sauna is a great place to relax and unwind but can also become a wellbeing retreat, where you can be more in touch with your natural surroundings. It offers benefits that indoor saunas cannot, such as connecting with nature, with fewer space limitations and greater customisation options. Whether you yearn for a winter retreat or somewhere to stargaze on summer evenings, an outdoor sauna can turn your garden into your very own relaxation and wellbeing sanctuary.
Cabanon Garden Outdoor Sauna
WHY CHOOSE AN OUTDOOR SAUNA?
Investing in an outdoor sauna will turn your garden into a wellness oasis.
From a design standpoint, an outdoor sauna blends effortlessly into its natural surroundings, adding value and appeal to the whole property.
As regards space, it gives you greater design freedom than you would have with an indoor sauna because spaces can be larger and airier. As you reconnect with nature, you feel yourself beginning to relax, as the sauna also improves blood circulation, cleanses the skin, helps reduce stress, tones the body and is beneficial for the immune and respiratory systems.
HOW MUCH DOES AN OUTDOOR SAUNA COST?
ASPECTS THAT CAN AFFECT THE COST
It’s hard to put an exact figure on an outdoor sauna because prices depend on a number of variable factors. There are a large variety of models currently available, each offering different materials, sizes and additional features, and each with its own price.
1. Type
The type of sauna has a significant impact on the price. Finnish saunas, with their traditional wooden cabin and lava stone heater, tend to be the most expensive, due to their high temperatures (up to 80°C) and low humidity. Infrared saunas, on the other hand, are the cheapest option, as they work at lower temperatures (60°C at the most). Hybrid saunas, which have both a traditional and infrared heater, offer greater flexibility and their price tag is somewhere in the middle.
2. Insulation
One of the things that has the biggest impact on the price of an outdoor sauna is insulation: a well-insulated sauna that effectively retains heat will be more expensive than one with little or no insulation.
3. Materials
The style and materials used for the exterior, such as traditional wood or more contemporary claddings, can dramatically affect the price of your sauna. The amount of glass used, often to create glass walls offering uninterrupted views, can also push up the price.
4. Size
The size of your sauna will affect the price: spacious, custom-built models with greater capacity or more than one room are generally more expensive. But they are ideal for anyone looking for more space to host friends and family.
5. Additional features
Lastly, optionals like custom lighting, advanced heating systems or outside decks will inevitably raise the price of your sauna but they do deliver a more personalised, luxurious experience.
When choosing an outdoor sauna, it is important to weigh up the pros and cons of these features, to find the solution that best suits your needs and your budget.
Outdoor Sauna - Cabanon Terrace Small Deck, mattone color
OUTDOOR SAUNAS AND ENERGY CONSUMPTION
When thinking about investing in an outdoor sauna, one of the most important things to consider is energy consumption. This will vary according to the type of sauna, its heating system and how often you use it.
HOW ENERGY EFFICIENT ARE SAUNAS?
Traditional saunas, like a Finnish sauna, typically use more energy because they work at higher temperatures (up to 80°C) and it takes longer for them to heat up. Infrared saunas, on the other hand, are more energy efficient: they operate at lower temperatures and heat the body directly, thus reducing overall energy consumption.
For a truly energy-efficient outdoor sauna, choose a model with good thermal insulation, as this helps retain the heat and cuts down on the amount of time it takes to reach its ideal temperature. Regular maintenance, like cleaning the heater or the infrared panels, can also help reduce consumption. Lastly, fitting a timer or an adjustable thermostat will give you more control over the energy you use, keeping it to a minimum.
Electrically-heated sauna detail
TYPES OF HEATING
The heating you choose for your outdoor sauna will have a big impact on energy consumption and the sauna’s overall efficiency. The main types of heating available are electric, wood-burning and gas; each has its own characteristics and impact on consumption.
1. Electric
Practical and easy to use, an electric heater is the most common way of heating modern saunas. The cost of using it, however, does tend to be higher, because it requires a considerable amount of electricity to reach and maintain high temperatures. To optimise consumption, it is important to choose a sauna that is well-insulated and has an adjustable thermostat.
2. Wood-burning
Wood-burning heaters are traditionally used in Finnish saunas. Although they don’t use electricity, they need to be tended to constantly to keep the fire lit. As far as energy costs are concerned, wood is a cheaper option but it is also less ecological and convenient if you want a quick and automatic heating system.
3. Gas
Gas is a less common option but a more energy-efficient one. A gas heater heats up the sauna faster than any other system, so you don’t have to wait long before entering and overall energy consumption is reduced. Installation, however, can be more complicated and running costs depend on your local gas provider’s rates.
HOW TO REDUCE CONSUMPTION
You can keep the cost of running an outdoor sauna down if you follow a couple of practical suggestions that can help you optimise the heat and not waste it.
1. Thermal insulation
When a sauna is properly insulated, it retains heat more efficiently, thus reducing the time it takes to reach its ideal temperature and keeping it for longer. Choosing top-quality materials and making sure doors and windows are well sealed will help restrict heat dispersion.
2. Using a timer or thermostat
Installing a timer or an adjustable thermostat means the sauna comes on when you want it to and doesn’t stay on for longer than is necessary.
3. Ideal temperature
Keeping the temperature of your sauna slightly below its maximum recommended temperature can help lower energy consumption, while still making it an enjoyable experience. A temperature of 70-75°C, for instance, is often warm enough for a traditional sauna.
4. The length of your session
Limiting the length of your sauna sessions can help keep costs down. Instead of leaving it on for hours, settle for shorter but just as effective sessions, as this will save energy while still giving you all the benefits of the heat experience.
5. Regular maintenance
Regular maintenance of your heating system will improve its efficacy and reduce energy consumption. A well-maintained system requires less energy to work properly.
Modern sauna with warm heat-treated wood interior
OUTDOOR SAUNA MODELS
TRADITIONAL VS. MODERN SAUNAS
Outdoor saunas fall into two main categories: traditional and modern. Every model has its pros and its cons, depending on your personal preferences and the use you are going to make of it.
A traditional sauna, like the Finnish sauna, is fitted with a wood-burning or electric heater with lava stones which produces high temperatures and low humidity. It provides an authentic, organic experience and its ancient traditions and cosy atmosphere are popular among bathers who enjoy the feeling of intense heat and the relaxing effect it has on them. However, it takes longer to heat up and can be less energy efficient.
Modern saunas, on the other hand, use technologies such as infrared panels, which heat the body directly at lower temperatures. They are therefore more energy efficient, they heat up more quickly and have more accurate temperature control. Modern saunas can also be accessorized with LED lighting and a built-in sound system, for a more custom experience. On the downside, however, they don’t convey the authenticity and deep heat of a traditional sauna.
Outdoor Sauna - Cabanon Terrace, muschio colour
CABANON SAUNA
Cabanon by Effe captures the original spirit of the Finnish sauna, reinterpreted here by the celebrated architect Rodolfo Dordoni. A free-standing structure, it has been designed to sit comfortably in any natural setting, like traditional Scandinavian saunas which were typically built on the lakeside.
Crafted with materials of the highest quality, the exterior of the Cabanon sauna is clad in corrugated aluminium. It comes in three sophisticated matte colours that have been chosen for their earthy tones. The interior furnishings are in natural or heat-treated aspen, combining durability with stylish elegance.
Practical accessories such as a hand-held shower with a flexible hose and hooks for bathrobes elevate the experience, while the outdoor deck can be customised with curtains on three sides for versatility and privacy. A perfect blend of aesthetics and functionality, the Cabanon sauna is Effe’s contemporary and flexible take on outdoor living.
MAINTAINING YOUR OUTDOOR SAUNA
REGULAR MAINTENANCE
It takes just a few basic operations to keep an outdoor sauna in perfect working order and looking as good as new.
1. Regular cleaning
After every sauna session, you should leave the door open to allow fresh air to enter and wipe down the surfaces with a damp cloth to remove any sweat or dirt. Do not use aggressive chemical products, as they could damage the wood.
2. Caring for the wood
Saunas are built mainly out of wood which needs regular treating. Applying natural oils or specific products can help protect it from moisture build-up, extending its life. The wood should be treated both inside and out at least once a year.
3. Checking the heating and ventilation systems
Whether you have a wood-burning or electric heater, you should regularly check it is working properly, cleaning lava stones if you have them, to ensure safe, energy-efficient operation. The ventilation system should also be checked to ensure it is in good working order.
TIPS WHEN BUYING AN OUTDOOR SAUNA
HINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE MAKING YOUR CHOICE
Before buying an outdoor sauna, there are a number of important aspects to consider before making your decision.
1. Space
One of the first things to do is work out how much space you have for your sauna. Where you locate it in your garden or outdoor space is important and access, safety and how it is going to fit into its surroundings are all things to bear in mind.
2. Budget
Prices can vary dramatically depending on the materials, the type of sauna (traditional, infrared or hybrid) and the extra features you choose. It’s a good idea to set a budget that also includes maintenance and energy costs.
3. Customisation
Your personal preferences are important when choosing an outdoor sauna. What exactly are you looking for: a traditional sauna for an authentic experience or a more modern, energy-efficient sauna? How many people it can accommodate and how often you use it will also determine the model you choose.
4. Professional assistance
Lastly, don’t forget sauna professionals are there to help you with all these difficult decisions. Specialist companies can give personalised advice to help you choose the best product for your space and budget and assist with delivery and installation, which should be carried out by experts. They ensure your sauna is installed properly, provide after-sales support and offer advice on how to get the most out of it, for an enjoyable, hassle-free experience every time.
Outdoor Sauna - Cabanon Garden muschio colour
OUTDOOR SAUNAS: TAKEAWAYS
Buying an outdoor sauna can offer numerous benefits, not only improving your health and wellbeing, but your quality of life too. Taking your time when choosing your sauna - bearing in mind your space, personal preferences and budget - will transform your outdoor space into the ultimate sanctuary of relaxation and wellbeing.
As well as enhancing circulation, improving skin health and relaxing muscles, an outdoor sauna allows you to unwind and reconnect with nature. Whether you choose a traditional or a more contemporary model, investing in an outdoor sauna is a great way of taking care of you and your family, it improves your general wellbeing and is a valuable addition to your home.
