Before you decide to buy an infrared sauna based on size, style and price, be sure to consider the heating element used. It is difficult to tell the real differences between ceramic and carbon infrared saunas, and even harder to judge which is better.
Infrared saunas are an innovative new way to get all the beneficial and lasting benefits of a sauna. Instead of sitting in the stuffy hot air in a closed room, like in a traditional Finnish or steam sauna, infrared saunas use infrared radiation for safe and effective use to help participants in healthy sweat. Infrared light is very similar to sunlight, of course, without harmful ultraviolet rays.
There are many types of infrared saunas available for people who want to enjoy them for their own use. Some community areas, such as spas and health clubs, now add infrared saunas to their traditional steam saunas. Infrared saunas can also be purchased online and brought together at home. Homemade infrared saunas come in different sizes, shapes and styles. They are built of different types of wood. Nowadays, even more compact portable models appear on the market, which are easy to fold and bypass the wheel. No matter which model suits you, one of the most important considerations for your home infrared sauna is the type of heating element used.
Many infrared saunas are equipped with several thin flat carbon fiber panels in different places in the sauna to distribute uniform infrared radiation. They are sometimes encased in fiberglass for protection and coating. Carbon panels are slightly flexible and, therefore, less likely to be transferred to your home sauna. Because of their wide flat shape, they are able to have a very large surface area, which is important for a high-quality infrared heating element of the sauna.
Ceramic sheets, such as carbon fiber sheets, have a large surface area and are embedded in the inner walls of the sauna from all sides. The ceramics is quite thin, so care should be used when transporting and processing the material before installing it in the sauna. But they are more expensive than carbon fiber heaters, but supporters say they deliver true infrared radiation, while carbon panels heat up and provide simple radiating heat. This can cause sweat, but does not give you the same benefits of soft fabrics as ceramic heaters.
It is important to know that some websites will compare carbon sheets with ceramic bars, which is similar to the comparison of apples with oranges. Wands will be more ineffective than plates or sheets, no matter what they are made of. The rods have a smaller surface area and will require a higher surface temperature, so they will be worse than coal and ceramic plates. Keep this in mind when looking at information about carbon or ceramic heating elements.
By now, you are probably confused, because the pros and cons of both carbon fiber and ceramic sound are equally alike. Although ceramics have a slightly higher emissivity (ability to emit infrared radiation), it is not much higher than carbon sheets. In general, pottery is considered excellent. But, in truth, the material of the construction does not matter, as the surface temperature and surface area of a particular heater model.
Of course, considerations such as your budget and your personal sense of style will influence your decision when buying a home sauna. But do not neglect to consider the type of heating element used. This is a very important choice and should not be underestimated.
