Before deciding if you would rather have a steam room or a sauna fitted into your house it will be best to fully research to find out which the best is and which will have all the facilities you want. The difference is the level of humidity. The steam room is high humidity where the hot water causes the steam while the sauna is low humidity and there is a dry heat from water being thrown on hot rocks. If it is just as a way to relax then it will not really matter which one you choose, but if there is a medical consideration then check out what they both offer.
Steam Room vs Sauna – the Case for the Steam Room
The steam room helps improve your skin as it opens up the pores and lets out the toxins. It will make you sweat and the impurities will be brought out with the sweat. Here you will get a good effect but there will not be the need to sit in a hot temperature as when using the sauna.
Steam Room vs Sauna - the Case for the Sauna
There are two types of sauna so this further complicates the decision. A dry sauna heats to about 200°F and has 10% humidity. Here the sweat evaporates so the heat does not feel overwhelming. A wet sauna has 20% humidity and sweet smelling water can be added.
Both cause hyperthermia – raised body temperature and if there are breathing problems the steam room will help here as the moist air will clear the system. This applies to asthma, bronchitis and even coughing.
From a comfort point of view you may find the sauna to be the better option as the body will cool down here much more quickly. This is because the sweat will dry up much more quickly in a sauna. If you have tuberculosis or arthritis the sauna will be much better than a steam room as the environment is less heated and humid. People with heart conditions will also benefit more from a sauna as there is less cardiovascular activity. This is so important that a steam room should not be used without the agreement of the doctor.
Steam Room vs Sauna - The Decision
In this debate there are clearly arguments in favour of each and although the steam room does seem to have less in its favour it can still be beneficial. While there are clear differences between the two there are also clear similarities when it comes to deciding whether or not to install a steam room or sauna. Breathing will clearly improve but there are also a couple of other differences.
There can be a slight price difference and it is likely that a sauna will cost slightly less than a steam room. The steam room vs sauna debate however is something you need to decide for yourself by considering the benefits, price and ease of installation of each option.