Saunas have stood the test of time. For over two thousand years, people have used them to detoxify the body, calm the mind, and build community. Today, saunas are no longer hidden in forests — they appear in luxury spas, private homes, and wellness suites across the UK. However, not all saunas are the same.
In this guide, you’ll discover the origins of sauna culture and learn how different styles compare — helping you make the right design choice for your space.
Where Did Saunas Begin?
The word sauna comes from Finland, where these heated timber rooms have played a central role in daily life for centuries. Ancient Finns built saunas into the earth, heating stones over open fires to create intense, dry heat. Families used these spaces not just for washing, but also for giving birth, recovering from illness, and connecting spiritually.
While other cultures developed heat bathing — like Roman bathhouses or Native American sweat lodges — only the Finnish sauna evolved into a global wellness tradition. Its simplicity, comfort, and effectiveness explain why it remains so widely adopted today.
The Finnish Sauna – A Classic for Good Reason
Traditional Finnish saunas still lead the way. These spaces typically feature softwood interiors, tiered benches, and a central stove (kiuas) filled with heated stones. Water poured over the stones creates löyly — a wave of soft steam that boosts heat and humidity.
Temperatures usually range from 70–100°C, with low humidity around 10–20%. This dry heat allows users to sweat comfortably without feeling overwhelmed. As a result, Finnish saunas remain the go-to choice for residential installations and professional wellness settings alike.
What Other Sauna Styles Are Worth Knowing?
Although Finnish saunas are the most familiar, several other styles offer unique experiences. Here’s a breakdown:
Smoke Sauna (Savusauna)
Before chimneys, smoke saunas ruled. In this style, users build a fire directly beneath a pile of stones. Over several hours, smoke fills the room and heats the stones. Once the fire dies out, the smoke is ventilated and the sauna is ready.
While the experience is rustic and atmospheric, it requires time and careful handling — making it better suited to rural retreats than modern spa facilities.
Infrared Sauna
Infrared saunas use radiant panels to warm the body directly. Unlike traditional saunas, they operate at lower temperatures (typically 40–60°C) and don’t produce steam.
Because of this, infrared saunas are popular in gyms, treatment centres, and health clinics. They appeal to users who want a gentler, more targeted heat therapy.
Russian Banya
The banya shares similarities with the Finnish sauna but increases the humidity significantly. Users throw large quantities of water onto the stones to create dense steam. They also stimulate circulation using venik — bundles of birch or oak branches used to lightly strike the skin.
Between rounds, bathers plunge into cold water, creating a highly invigorating ritual that improves blood flow and refreshes the body.
German Sauna / Aufguss Ritual
Germany has embraced the Finnish sauna but taken it to the next level with the Aufguss ritual. A trained Saunameister pours scented water on the stones and uses a towel to wave and circulate the heat throughout the room.
This creates dramatic, timed bursts of intense heat and aroma. Spa-goers often treat Aufguss sessions as a scheduled performance — blending relaxation with sensory stimulation.
How to Choose the Right Sauna Style
Every sauna type creates a different experience. Some prioritise dry, controlled heat. Others offer high humidity and ritual. When choosing a sauna, consider your project’s goals:
- Is it for private use or public wellness?
- Do you need a low-maintenance system or something immersive and sensory?
- What kind of atmosphere do you want to create?
At Pool Logic, we help clients and architects choose the right style, then design the sauna to perform beautifully and safely in its setting.
Coming Next Week: How to Build a Sauna Properly
Now that you understand the main types, next week we’ll dive into sauna construction. We’ll cover insulation, airflow, heat performance, and the all-important Law of Löyly — giving you everything you need to get the structure right from the start.
