What Is a Sauna? Definition, Functioning, Benefits, and Usage

This sacred steam that arises when water meets scorching stones. That is what a sauna is. More than just a wellness device, it is a philosophy of life inherited from 2,000 years of Nordic culture.

Sauna: Definition and Origin

What Exactly Is a Sauna?

A sauna is a wooden cabin heated to a temperature between 70°C and 100°C, where you take a dry heat bath. The humidity level is intentionally low, between 3% and 20%, which radically distinguishes it from a hammam. This intense heat induces deep sweating, stimulates blood circulation, and promotes total relaxation of the body and mind.

The word "sauna" comes from Finnish and refers to both the heated room and the practice itself. It is a social and family tradition that dates back over 2,000 years in Nordic countries. In Finland, it is estimated that there are over 3 million saunas for approximately 5.4 million inhabitants, meaning almost one sauna per household. The Finnish sauna tradition was even inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2020.

What Is the History of the Sauna?

The origins of the sauna trace back to Northern Europe over 2,000 years ago. The first saunas, called savu sauna (smoke sauna), were simple pits in the ground covered with animal skins, heated with hot stones. Over the centuries, these rudimentary structures evolved into small wooden cabins equipped with a stove.

The sauna was not just a place for cleanliness and relaxation: it served as a kitchen, a healing space, a birthing room, and even a sanctuary. For Finns, it is a sacred place, rich in culture and history.

Traditional Sauna vs. Infrared Sauna: What's the Difference?

There are two main types of saunas:

• Traditional (Finnish) Sauna: Heat is produced by an electric or wood stove, which heats volcanic stones. The temperature reaches 70°C to 100°C with low humidity. By pouring water on the stones, you create löyly, a light steam that intensifies the sensation of heat.
• Infrared Sauna: Panels emit infrared waves that heat the body directly, without heating the ambient air. The temperature remains milder, between 40°C and 60°C, for a comparable detoxifying effect.

At Storvatt, our outdoor wooden saunas are traditional saunas with a 100% Nordic soul, made from Red Cedar and equipped with high-end stoves.

How Does a Sauna Work?

Step-by-Step Sauna Operation

The heart of a traditional sauna is its stove and volcanic stones (kiuaskivi). Here's how it works:

1. Heating: The electric or wood stove heats the volcanic stones to very high temperatures (up to 300°C for the stones themselves). It takes 30 to 60 minutes of preheating for a wood stove, a little less for an electric model.
2. Temperature Rise: The ambient air in the cabin gradually heats up to reach the desired temperature, usually between 80°C and 90°C.
3. Löyly: By pouring a ladle of water onto the hot stones, you create a light steam that temporarily increases the humidity level. The sensation of heat intensifies, pores open further, and sweating accelerates.
4. Regulation: The higher you sit on the benches, the more intense the heat (hot air rises). The lower benches are ideal for beginners.

Wood-Burning Sauna vs. Electric Sauna: Which to Choose?

Storvatt saunas are available with both types of stoves. We exclusively select high-end Tylo stoves for their reliability, safety, and quality of heat.

What Are the Benefits of a Sauna?

What Are the Proven Health Benefits of a Sauna?

The benefits of the sauna are recognized and documented by numerous scientific studies:

Cardiovascular Benefits: Under the effect of heat, blood vessels dilate, and the heart rate increases as during moderate physical activity. A Finnish study published in 2015, conducted over 21 years with 2,000 men, showed that the risk of heart attack is reduced by 22% for those who use the sauna 2 to 3 times a week, and by 63% for those who go 4 to 7 times a week.

Detoxification and Skin Purification: Intense sweating caused by heat promotes the elimination of impurities and opens pores. The skin emerges cleansed, softer, and more radiant.

Muscle Recovery: Heat dilates blood vessels and improves oxygen supply to muscles. The sauna is particularly appreciated after a workout to speed up recovery and relieve muscle soreness.

Stress Reduction and Improved Sleep: The enveloping atmosphere of the sauna promotes the release of endorphins. The body relaxes, and the mind frees itself. Practicing sauna in the evening helps you fall asleep more easily and improves sleep quality.

Immune Support: Heat reproduces the effects of a mild fever, prompting the body to produce more white blood cells and antibodies. A natural way to strengthen your defenses.

Sauna vs. Hammam: What Are the Differences?

Both have their virtues, but the traditional sauna offers a more intense experience and better-documented cardiovascular effects.

How to Use a Sauna? The Ritual Step by Step

How to Properly Have a Sauna Session?

A sauna session ideally takes place in several cycles to maximize the benefits:

Before the Session:

• Take a quick shower to cleanse the skin and prepare the pores.
• Drink at least half a liter of water to hydrate well before entering.
• Avoid eating heavily in the two hours before the session.

In the Sauna:

• Stay 10 to 15 minutes inside (5 to 10 minutes for beginners). Do not exceed 20 minutes per session.
• Use a towel between you and the wooden bench for hygiene and comfort.
• The highest seats are the hottest: start at the bottom if you are a beginner.
• Pour water on the stones to create löyly and intensify the experience.

After Each Session:

• Exit and cool down gradually: start with your feet and work your way up with a cold shower or bath.
• Rest for 10 to 20 minutes to allow your body to return to normal temperature.
• Hydrate well between each session.

Complete Cycle: Repeat 2 to 3 sessions. It is this hot/cold alternation that concentrates most of the sauna's benefits.

How Often Should You Use a Sauna?

What Is the Ideal Frequency?

The recommended frequency by specialists is 2 to 3 sessions per week to fully enjoy all the benefits: better cardiovascular health, toxin elimination, stress reduction, and improved sleep. This is the optimal rhythm that allows the body to recover between each session while maintaining the beneficial effects.

For beginners, start with 1 session per week and gradually increase according to how you feel.

Here's how to adjust your sessions according to your frequency:

• 1 time per week: Plan for 3 sessions (about 1.5 hours total)
• 2 to 3 times per week: 1 to 2 sessions per visit (about 50 minutes)
• 4 times and more: 1 session is enough (about 40 minutes)

Having your own sauna at home—like a Storvatt sauna in your garden—makes this rhythm infinitely easier to maintain. No need to travel, no reservations: your Nordic ritual is available anytime, all year round.

Are There Any Contraindications for the Sauna?

The sauna is a safe practice for the vast majority of healthy adults. However, consult your doctor if you suffer from:

• Unstable heart disease or coronary pathologies
• Medically treated high blood pressure
• Pregnancy
• Fever or ongoing infection

Also, avoid alcohol before and during a session, as it increases the risk of dehydration and hypotension.

Price of an Outdoor Sauna: What to Expect?

What Is the Price of an Outdoor Sauna?

The price of a quality outdoor sauna varies depending on the materials, size, and equipment. At Storvatt, our outdoor wooden saunas are available starting from €11,480, depending on the model and selected length.

This price reflects:

• 100% French craftsmanship, in the Alps, since 1997
• Exceptional wood: Clear 2 Red Cedar, knot-free, naturally rot-resistant, requiring no treatment
• High-end Tylo stoves (electric or wood) included
• Delivery and installation by our technicians, with the sauna arriving fully assembled
• 5-year warranty on the structure and lifetime warranty against frost (excluding machinery)

It is also an investment in your daily life and in the value of your outdoor space. A sauna that is well installed enhances your property while offering you a wellness space usable 365 days a year.

Storvatt Saunas: The Nordic Soul, Made in France

Since 1997, Storvatt has designed and manufactured its wooden saunas in the French Alps, drawing inspiration from the most authentic Nordic traditions. Each model is designed to blend harmoniously into your outdoor space, whether it's a city garden or a mountain plot.

Our Outdoor Sauna Models

The Classic Barrel Sauna: Round, cylindrical, and entirely made of wood, it is inspired by pure Scandinavian tradition. Its barrel shape promotes optimal heat circulation. Available for 2 to 10 people.

The Casquette Sauna: A unique design with a cap that extends above the entrance for a contemporary look. For 2 to 10 people.

The Vision Sauna: Equipped with a panoramic plexiglass bubble, it transforms each session into a moment of total immersion in the landscape. Ideal for terraces with a view.

The Horizon Sauna: With its large glass surface, it connects you to your surroundings: wooded garden, mountain, lake. An open window to nature from within the warmth.

The Traditional Sauna with Alcove: Designed with a unique style for immersive experiences in this beautiful cocoon.

FAQ – Your Questions About the Sauna

What Is the Difference Between a Sauna and a Hammam?
The sauna produces dry heat (70°C to 100°C, 3% to 20% humidity), while the hammam operates with steam (40°C to 55°C, 100% humidity). The sensation is more intense in a sauna, and the cardiovascular effects are better documented. The hammam is gentler and better suited for people sensitive to dry heat.

Can You Use the Sauna Every Day?
Yes, for healthy individuals who are accustomed and hydrate properly. However, the recommended rhythm to optimize benefits without fatigue is 2 to 3 sessions per week. Beyond that, a single short session per visit is sufficient.

At What Temperature Should You Set Your Sauna?
For beginners, 70°C to 75°C is a good starting point. Regular users enjoy 80°C to 90°C. Finns commonly practice at 90°C to 100°C. The higher you sit on the benches, the more intense the heat—the lower benches are always milder.

Should You Shower Before Entering the Sauna?
Yes, a quick shower before the session is recommended: it cleanses the skin, opens the pores, and prepares the body to sweat. Dry yourself well before entering, as a wet body tolerates dry heat less well.