SAUNA MYTHES

• Myth: All woods are the same.
  FALSE- Not all woods are the same. In fact there are many differences from wood to wood, even from woods in the same family. Cedar, Birch and Hemlock are the most commonly used woods for sauna construction. All are soft woods that absorb water better than other hardwoods. However, even though they are of the same family there are many differences. Hemlock is the cheapest of the aforementioned wood types. It will absorb water but it does have one major drawback. Hemlock can split when it dries which is a major problem in the hot sauna environment. When wood absorbs water it actually swells, somewhat like a sponge. As it dries out Hemlock has a tendency to split, especially around areas that have screws or openings.
  
  Birch and Cedar are much better at absorbing water and returning to shape without splitting. They are both excellent woods for sauna use, but Cedar is by far the most commonly used and effective wood type. Not only does it have excellent absorption properties, but it also contains microbes that destroy bacteria and fungus. Furthermore, Cedar has excellent odor fighting qualities. Shoe horns are always constructed from Cedar for this very reason. So when purchasing a sauna, make sure to take the wood type in to account when making your decision.
• Myth: All heaters are the same.
  FALSE- In today?s sauna market there are several different heater types available. They all produce heat but they definitely are not all the same. Since most people buying a sauna today won?t be building fires, we?ll just focus on the two most common. The first and probably most well know sauna heater is the electrically heated hot rock system. With these units rocks are heated to temperatures ranging from 180 ? 200 degrees. Most of the complaints associated with these types of heaters are based on the excessive heat. The second type of heater is the Infrared heating system. This is the latest advancement in sauna technology and is quickly replacing the hot rock system. The advantage of Infrared heat is twofold. First the heat is delivered through energy waves (for more info go to the Infrared heat tab on our site). These waves allow the heat to penetrate deeper into the body, warming it from the inside out. Second is the efficiency of the heat. Since Infrared heat is up to 80% efficient at being absorbed by the body it can run at lower temperatures. This provides the sauna user a much more comfortable environment as well as cheaper operating costs and better safety features.
• All saunas are the same.
  FALSE- If you have spent any time looking at different saunas available today you know that all saunas are definitely not the same. From the wood type to the size, there are many reasons why saunas can differ. Prices can range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands. The price differences reflect the quality and longevity of the units, because for the most part they all should produce heat. Money can be saved by purchasing a pre-fabricated unit that you assemble on your own. Other features that will reflect the pricing are wood type, heaters, amenities, construction, size and where you live. Take all these factors into account when purchasing your sauna and try to get the best combination of all the aforementioned factors to ensure you get a high quality long lasting sauna.
• All sauna companies are the same.
  FALSE- As with all industries, companies can differ for several reasons. Some companies market themselves for their cheap pricing while others advertise their quality. You?ll find some companies that boast of their high end heating systems and others that offer every amenity available. What you usually can?t find though is a company that offers all of the above. Not only does Gaia offer high quality affordable saunas, built with top of the line heating systems and modern amenities, but they back it up with friendly customer service. In fact Gaia believes so much in the products they sell that criticism is a welcome source of quality improvement. As members of the Better Business Bureau and the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, Gaia has several outlets for its customers to provide feedback in direct as well as indirect fashions. All this feedback allows Gaia to continue its tradition of providing products and services that our customers can rely on.