These days, people use the word “sauna” for all sorts of things. Steam rooms, portable tents, and heated pods all get called saunas. Technically, they’re all places where you sit and sweat.
But if you’ve tried a real Finnish sauna, you know it feels different. A regular heated box just isn’t the same.
My business partner PaT is Finnish, and his family has built saunas for generations. When I met him, I thought I understood saunas because I’d used them for 25 years. After just ten minutes talking with him, I realised I’d missed the real meaning.
This article will show you what makes a Finnish sauna unique, why that matters, and how to know if you’re buying the real thing.
What Actually Defines a Finnish Sauna?
A Finnish sauna has a few key features that haven’t changed for centuries.
Finnish saunas use dry heat with the option for steam. The air is usually 80-100°C (175-210°F), and humidity stays low, around 10-20%. This makes the heat intense but still breathable. When you pour water on the hot stones, you get a burst of steam called löyly (pronounced “loy-lu”). That quick rush of humid heat is what sets a Finnish sauna apart from just sitting in a hot room.
A real Finnish sauna uses a heater, called a kiuas, filled with special stones that can handle sudden changes in temperature without cracking. These stones store heat and slowly release it, keeping the temperature steady. When you pour water on them, they instantly turn it into steam.
The inside of a Finnish sauna is lined with softwoods like spruce, pine, aspen, or cedar. These woods absorb moisture, give off a gentle scent, and stay comfortable to touch even when it’s hot. Hardwoods would get too hot to sit on.
Good ventilation is important. Fresh air comes in low near the heater, rises as it warms up, and leaves high on the other wall. This keeps the air fresh and stops the sauna from feeling stuffy or hard to breathe in.
Finnish saunas have benches at different heights. Since heat rises, sitting higher means it’s hotter. Being able to choose between different levels in a sauna allows users to select the level of heat they prefer. According to research by J Leppäluoto, sauna sessions typically last 5 to 20 minutes and are followed by breaks at normal room temperature, highlighting the straightforward and accessible nature of sauna use. Finns have been building saunas this way for over a thousand years. What’s remarkable is how many modern “saunas” ignore these basics entirely.
How Is a Finnish Sauna Different from Steam Rooms?
Understanding what a Finnish sauna is helps clarify the issue. Knowing what makes a Finnish sauna special helps you see the difference.mams) operate at lower temperatures (40-50°C) but with extremely high humidity — close to 100%. You can barely see across the room through the thick steam. The sensation is wet and heavy, quite different from the dry heat of a Finnish sauna.
Steam rooms are usually tiled instead of wood-lined, since constant moisture would ruin wood. The experience is different—nice in its own way, but it’s not a sauna.
Finnish saunas maintain that characteristic dry heat punctuated by bursts of löyly when you throw water on the stones. You control the humidity yourself. Between throws, the air stays dry enough to breathe deeply and comfortably even at 90°C.
What About Russian Banya?
This is where it gets interesting, because banya is actually a lot like the Finnish sauna. Both are old Nordic heat-bathing traditions with deep roots. Banya typically runs at lower temperatures (60-80°C) but much higher humidity, with constant steam rather than occasional löyly. Banya also involves the venik ritual — beating yourself or others with bundles of birch or oak branches to stimulate circulation and exfoliate the skin.
According to Saunologia.fi, traditional Finnish sauna electric stoves typically held 15 to 30 kg of stones, but in recent years new models have been developed that hold up to hundreds of kilograms, allowing for greater flexibility in heater design and performance.
Both traditions share a respect for heat. Both traditions see heat bathing as more than just washing up. It’s a social, meditative, and healthy practice that’s been around for centuries. To understand the Finnish sauna, you need to understand what it means in Finnish culture.
Finland has roughly Finland has about 5.5 million people and around 3.3 million saunas. That’s about one sauna for every two people. In Finland, a sauna isn’t a luxury—it’s as basic as having a bathroom. The sauna was the cleanest room in Finnish homes. Babies were born there. The sick were treated there. Bodies were washed before burial there. The sauna was considered a sacred space — a place where you left your social status at the door, and everyone was equal.
Today, sauna culture is still a big part of Finnish life. People make business deals in saunas, and families gather there. It’s where Finns go to relax, think, and enjoy quiet time together. There is even a word in Finnish, saunominen, which means the act of bathing in a sauna. According to UNESCO, sauna culture is deeply embedded in Finnish life, with saunas serving not just for washing but also for cleansing the body and mind and nurturing a sense of inner peace. This cultural significance is why Finns are particular about proper sauna practices. When Patrick talks about building saunas, he isn’t just being picky. He’s using knowledge passed down through generations about what really works.
What Does the Research Say About Finnish Sauna?
The health benefits of Finnish saunas aren’t just old stories. There’s strong research, especially from Finland, to back them up.
A landmark study published in JAMA Internal Medicine in 2015 followed 2,315 middle-aged Finnish men for over 20 years. The findings were striking: men who used a sauna 4-7 times per week had a 63% lower risk of sudden cardiac death compared to those who used it only once weekly. They also showed significantly reduced risk of fatal coronary heart disease and all-cause mortality.
Source: Association Between Sauna Bathing and Fatal Cardiovascular and All-Cause Mortality Events — JAMA Internal Medicine, 2015
A comprehensive review published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings in 2018 examined the accumulated evidence and concluded that regular Finnish sauna bathing is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, hypertension, and even dementia. The researchers noted that sauna bathing produces cardiovascular effects similar to those of moderate exercise.
Source: Cardiovascular and Other Health Benefits of Sauna Bathing: A Review of the Evidence — Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2018
Harvard Health summarised the Finnish research, noting that frequent sauna use was associated with a 23% reduction in all-cause mortality among those attending 2-3 times weekly, with even greater benefits among more frequent users.
Source: Sauna use linked to longer life, fewer fatal heart problems — Harvard Health, 2015
It’s important to note that this research focused on traditional Finnish saunas—wood-lined rooms heated to 80-100°C with low humidity and the option for löyly. The researchers said their results might not apply to other types of heat therapy.
What Temperature Should a Finnish Sauna Be?
The short answer: 80-100°C (175-210°F), depending on your preference.
But temperature is only part of the story. Humidity, ventilation, and good löyly are just as important.
Most Finns prefer somewhere around 80-90°C with the option to push higher occasionally. But a well-built sauna at 80°C with good löyly can feel more intense than a poorly ventilated box at 95°C.
The bench you sit on also changes your experience. In a well-designed sauna, the temperature from the floor to the ceiling can differ by 30-40°C. Sitting higher means more heat, and lying on the top bench puts you in the hottest spot.
If you’re new to saunas, start at 70-80°C and increase the heat slowly. Your body will get used to it, and what seems too hot at first will feel fine after a few sessions.
What Is Löyly and Why Does It Matter?
Löyly is the Finnish word for the steam that rises when you pour water on hot sauna stones. But it means more than just “steam”—it describes the whole feeling of that moment.
When water hits properly heated stones (ideally 300-400°C at the surface), it flashes instantly into steam. This steam surge temporarily raises humidity, making the heat feel significantly more intense. Your skin prickles. You might need to duck down or cover your ears. Then it passes, and the dry heat returns.
This cycle of dry heat, then löyly, then dry heat again is at the heart of the Finnish sauna experience. It’s what makes real saunominen different from just sitting in a hot room.y depends on several factors:
Stone quality and quantity. You need enough mass to store heat and release it properly. Cheap heaters with minimal stones produce weak, watery steam. Proper stones (olivine, peridotite, or volcanic rocks) handle thermal shock without cracking.
Stone temperature. If stones aren’t hot enough, water sizzles and evaporates slowly rather than flashing to steam. The result is disappointing löyly that doesn’t have that characteristic rush.
Water pouring water is an art. Experienced sauna users learn how much water to use and where to pour it. Too much cools the stones too much; too little doesn’t do much. The ladle (kiulu) and bucket are traditional tools because they let you control the process.r design. The best traditional heaters have open stone compartments that allow water to penetrate deep into the stone mass. Some modern heaters shield the elements in ways that limit löyly quality of light.
Patrick can talk about löyly for hours. The first time he showed me the right way to pour water, I understood why. Once you feel the difference between average steam and real löyly, it’s clear.
Can You Get an Authentic Finnish Sauna in Thailand?
Yes, but you need to know what to look for. And they are mostly environmental. Our humidity, heat, termite activity, and UV exposure all require specific material choices that differ from those that work in Scandinavia. Timber that performs perfectly in Finland might fail within a few years here.
What makes an authentic Finnish sauna in Thailand:
Proper timber selection. Red cedar, thermo pine, or quality spruce that’s been kiln-dried and (ideally) treated for tropical conditions. Teak works exceptionally well for outdoor saunas here. Avoid cheap, untreated softwoods that will warp, crack, or attract termites.
A quality heater with adequate stone mass. This is where many Thai installations fall short. Undersized heaters with minimal stones might reach temperature, but they won’t produce proper löyly. Look for reputable brands (Harvia, HUUM, Tylö, Narvi) with appropriate kW ratings for your space.
Good ventilation is key. Fresh air should come in near the heater and exit high on the other wall. This is even more important in Thailand’s humid climate, since poor ventilation can cause mould and make the sauna feel stuffy.
Proper insulation and construction. The walls need to retain heat effectively while allowing the timber to breathe. Vapour barriers, insulation quality, and assembly all matter.
When you buy a custom Finnish sauna, you’re not just paying for materials. You’re paying for the know-how of putting everything together the right way. Someone who understands Finnish sauna culture builds differently than someone who just puts together a hot room.
What Should I Look for When Buying a Finnish Sauna?
If you want an authentic Finnish sauna experience, here’s what to check:
Heater quality and size matter. The heater is the heart of any sauna. Choose well-known brands with safety certifications (TÜV, CE). Size it for your space—about 1 kW per cubic metre, and a bit more for outdoor saunas, glass panels, or Thailand’s climate.
Stone capacity. More stone mass means better heat retention and löyly quality. Budget heaters often skimp here. Look for at least 20kg capacity for small saunas, 40kg+ for larger ones.
Timber species and treatment. Ask specifically what wood is used and whether it’s been kiln-dried. For Thailand, prioritise species with natural moisture resistance or species that can be thermally treated.
Ventilation design. If the seller can’t explain how fresh air enters and exits the sauna, that’s a red flag.
Construction quality. Tongue-and-groove joinery, proper insulation, quality hardware. Inspect samples if possible.
Warranty and support. Especially important in Thailand, where servicing options are limited. Does the seller provide ongoing support? Can they source replacement parts?
And honestly, talk tIt’s also a good idea to talk to the seller about sauna culture. Someone who really knows Finnish saunas will talk about löyly, ventilation, and how to use the sauna properly. If they only talk about price and features, they might just be selling boxes. Finnish Sauna Built in Thailand?
This is what we do at Sisu.
We design and build authentic Finnish saunas here in Thailand, using top-quality timbers and galvanised steel frames designed for tropical weather. Our Finnish-Thai team builds every sauna in our Surin workshop, with Patrick making sure everything meets our standards.
You can order any configuration: indoor or outdoor, 2-person to 12-person, traditional bench layouts or modern designs with glass fronts. We work with red cedar, thermopine, spruce, and locally sourced teak, depending on your preferences and budget.
If you want a barrel sauna for your garden, a built-in sauna in your bathroom, or a cabin by the pool, we can design and build it. Our modular panels also let us ship nationwide for self-assembly, with phone and video support to help you along the way.
The consultation is free. We’ll visit your site, discuss your needs, and provide detailed drawings and pricing. There’s no pressure or obligation—just honest advice about what will work for your space.
You can see our sauna range at sauna.in.th or contact us directly to discuss a custom build.
Should You Buy a Finnish Sauna?
If you value the traditional experience—the ritual of heating up, the rush of löyly, and the calm of sitting in dry heat—then a Finnish sauna is worth it.
The health research is strong. The cultural tradition is deep. There’s also real satisfaction in owning a well-built sauna that lasts for decades, instead of a cheap one that falls apart in Thailand’s climate.
For what it’s worth, I used different heat therapies for years before I tried a real Finnish sauna with Patrick. I thought I knew what a sauna was, but I didn’t. The traditional experience is just different—not only hotter, but somehow more complete.
That’s not marketing talk. It’s just what happThat’s not just marketing. It’s what happens when something has been improved over a thousand years of daily use by a whole culture. The Finns figured out what works, and the rest of us are still learning.ain difference between a Finnish sauna and a steam room?
Finnish saunas use dry heat (80-100°C) with low humidity and optional steam bursts from throwing water on hot stones. Steam rooms use lower temperatures (40-50°C) and near 100% humidity, with constant, thick steam. Finnish saunas are wood-lined; steam rooms are typically tiled to handle the moisture.
Frequently Asked Questions
How hot should a Finnish sauna be?
Traditional Finnish saunas run between 80-100°C (175-210°F), with most users preferring 80-90°C. Temperature varies by bench level — sitting higher means more heat. Beginners should start around 70-80°C and gradually increase as their body adapts over multiple sessions.
What does löyly mean?
Löyly is the Finnish word for the steam created when water is thrown on hot sauna stones. It also describes the full sensory experience of that moment — the rush of humid heat, the prickling skin, the intensified sensation. Good löyly is considered essential to authentic Finnish sauna bathing.
Can I get a Finnish sauna built in Thailand?
Yes. Sisu Sauna designs and builds authentic Finnish saunas in Thailand, custom-crafted from premium timbers with construction overseen by our Finnish partner. We offer indoor and outdoor options in any size, with nationwide delivery and installation. Contact us for a free consultation.
Is a Finnish sauna good for your health?
Research published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that Finnish men who used a sauna 4-7 times weekly had a 63% lower risk of sudden cardiac death compared to once-weekly users. Regular sauna bathing has been associated with reduced cardiovascular disease risk, lower blood pressure, and decreased all-cause mortality.