The word "sauna" refers to a special
kind of cleansing, relaxing, dry-heat
bath and to the room in which it is
taken. Sauna rooms must be built to
withstand temperatures in the 170 to
200°F range, plus exposure to sweat,
splashed water, and frequent pulses of
humidity.
The explosive growth of health clubs
during the past decade has introduced
an increasing number of Americans to
sauna bathing. For convenience and privacy,
more affluent Americans are
bringing the sauna and exercise rooms
into their homes.
Proper design and installation of
saunas require planning, the right selection
of building products, and quality
finish work. Costs vary and can be a bit
steep, often $75 to $100 per square foot
of floor area.