Summer has been long, hot, and humid here in Vancouver. With daytime highs in the 30s, we were all starting to look forward to cooler, autumn weather. But now, as the temperatures start to dip and as we transition into shorter days, the inevitable truth is that it will only get colder from here.
But there’s one silver lining to all of this: sauna season!
There’s nothing quite like a good sauna session to take the edge off a cold day. After all, it can get really chilly here in Vancouver, and work can be a little too overwhelming. It kind of makes you want to go to one of British Columbia’s beautiful hot springs or even just a spa at the mall.
But when it truly comes to getting the most out of your sauna experience, there’s no better place to enjoy a sauna than in your own backyard.
Imagine this: you come home from work on a cold night. The last thing you want to do is go out in the cold again. But instead of huddling up under a blanket and watching TV, you head outside to your backyard sauna.
You strip down, step inside, and let the heat wash over you. It’s instant relaxation. And after a few minutes, you start to feel your muscles loosen and your mind clear. Suddenly, the stress of the day is gone, and you can just enjoy the moment.
When you finally step out, you feel refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to take on the rest of your evening. You may even find yourself sleeping better that night!
That’s the power of a backyard sauna. And if you’re looking for a way to improve your quality of life, there’s really no better investment. It will do wonders for your physical health. It’ll also be great for your mental and emotional well-being.
So, if you’re feeling a little down or just need to relax, it’s probably time to contact a trusted backyard designer in Vancouver to start building your very own sauna!
Why Get A Sauna Now?
Saunas have been used for centuries to relieve stress, ease muscle pain, and promote relaxation. But did you know that they can also help improve your circulation, increase your immunity, and even detoxify your body? That’s right!
In a paper published by Mayo Clinic Proceedings, it was found that saunas could potentially improve respiratory function in people with chronic lung conditions like asthma and bronchitis.
Also, did you know that 9 in 10 Canadians are likely to develop high blood pressure or hypertension during their lives? According to The Heart and Stroke Foundation (HSF) in Canada, six million Canadian adults have high blood pressure.
A study published in the American Journal of Hypertension found that regular sauna use can significantly lower blood pressure in people with hypertension. So, if you have high blood pressure, spending time in a sauna may help reduce your risk of developing heart disease or stroke.
Now, these are just some of the great health benefits that you can enjoy by adding a backyard sauna to your home. There are still more of those benefits which you can experience just by calling a trusted design-build expert to start your project!
When Building A Sauna…
There are quite a bunch of things to consider if you want to build a sauna in your backyard. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you out!
First, you need to decide how big of a sauna you need. If you plan on using it by yourself, then a small sauna will be just fine. But if you want to be able to share your sauna with friends or family, then you’ll need to choose a larger size.
Another thing to consider is how much heat you can handle. If you’re not used to spending time in a sauna, you might want to start with a lower temperature and work your way up. But if you’re looking for an intense sweat session, a higher temperature may just be what you need.
You’ll also need to consider the materials and location of your sauna. If you want a more traditional sauna experience, then a wood-burning sauna is the way to go. There are many types of saunas on the market, so you’ll need to decide to find the one that’s right for you.
Here are some of the best types of saunas that you can choose from:
Traditional Finnish Sauna
The classic Finnish sauna is a wood-burning sauna typically made from cedar or spruce.
In Vancouver, the traditional Finnish sauna is a popular choice for backyard saunas because it can be used year-round. These saunas are known for their intense heat, ranging from 80–90 degrees Celsius.
With or without a chimney, the heat from a wood-burning sauna comes from rocks that are placed on top of a heater. Water is then poured over the stones to create steam, which increases the temperature and humidity level in the sauna.
Infrared Sauna
An infrared sauna uses infrared light to heat the body rather than heating the air around you. These saunas are known for being much lower in temperature than traditional saunas, but they can still be just as effective.
The heat from an infrared sauna penetrates the skin and heats the body from the inside out. This can provide a deeper and more detoxifying sweat than a traditional sauna.
Getting Your Yard Ready
The best backyard designers in Vancouver will always recommend putting your sauna in an area of the backyard that gets ample sun and has zero flood risk. This is so the sauna will be comfortable to use all year round.
Once you’ve found the perfect location, you’ll need to level out the ground and build a foundation for your sauna. The most common type of foundation for a backyard sauna is a concrete pad but there are other options available depending on your budget and needs.
Concrete is best because it will last the longest and can support the weight of a sauna without cracking. An alternative to that would be gravel or sand. A wood foundation is also an option but it’s not as durable as concrete and will need to be replaced more often.
Excavating the hole for your foundation is the next step. The depth of the hole will depend on the type of foundation you’re using and the size of your sauna. A concrete pad will need to be at least 6 inches deep while a gravel foundation can be as shallow as 3 inches.
Once the hole is excavated, the foundation is added. If you decide on concrete, the mix must be poured into the hole and then, leveled off with a trowel. Curing takes 24 hours. If you decide on gravel or sand, it’s the same thing but the gravel or sand has to be compacted with a tamper to make it sturdy.
Once your foundation is complete, a sauna can finally be installed.
What It Takes To Design-Build A Sauna
Choosing what your sauna will look like could be a more daunting task than deciding on whether to have a sauna or not. Aside from the actual building process, there is the matter of deciding how you will incorporate your sauna into your backyard’s design. Of course, every sauna owner has their own unique vision for their dream sauna but to build one that is practical and comfortable, the help of experts will be needed.
This task can be challenging but not when you know where to start. Often, the entire yard is designed to adapt to the sauna you will be assembling. For this, Landscaping Design-Build or Outdoor Design-Build will be very useful and can make your vision for your backyard sauna become a reality.
Design-Build is an innovative and all-inclusive service that allows remodeling of your outdoor space with the least amount of inconvenience possible. This is made possible by contractors who complete all phases of landscape design and construction. This streamlined and well-coordinated process saves you from the challenges that result from dealing with different contractors that possibly have differing visions that just clash with each other.
You will still participate in the process, especially in the initial site consultation where you will be assisted in carefully planning out the concepts and designs. The team will then carry on with the construction phase. The design-and-build process has been proven to deliver excellent results of functional, practical, spaces that are aligned to the owner’s specific needs, tastes, and lifestyle.
Ask Help from Vancouver’s Premier Backyard Designers
Now that you know all about the amazing benefits of backyard saunas and what it takes to build one, it’s time to start planning your own. But where do you even begin? If you’re not sure where to start, Hyland Landscapes can help.
Our experts can work with you to design and build the perfect backyard sauna for your needs. We’ll help you choose the right size, material, and location for your sauna. All you need to do is sit back and relax.
Ready to get started? Contact us today to schedule a consultation. Our backyard designers in Vancouver can’t wait to help you create the perfect backyard oasis.
