Many spas and resorts entice potential guests with their list of luxurious amenities, among these saunas and hot tubs. If you could have one of these in your home, which would you choose? The information below will help you decide.

Costs

A sauna that will seat four people, approximately 5 x 7 feet, will cost between $2,400 and $3,200 for the prefab kit with all the materials. Although a DIY homeowner may be able to install the kit, a professional electrician will be necessary for wiring the various electrical elements. If the kit is being installed outdoors, a foundation slab will need to be installed as well. Labor added to a DIY project will cost about $350 to $700. Labor for the kit to be installed completely by a professional will be approximately $1,500 to $3,000. An entire four-person sauna professionally installed will cost about $3,900 to $6,200.

Installing an outdoor hot tub costs more than a sauna. An acrylic tub unit that measures 5 x 6 x 2½ feet will seat three to four people and will cost about $3,500 to $8,000, depending on how many jets and how well constructed it is. The hot tub will be placed on a solid deck or concrete slab ³. Installation, including electrical work and concrete pouring, will cost about $500 if done professionally and about $325 if done by the homeowner. A professionally installed three- to four-person outdoor hot tub will cost about $4,000 to $8,500.

Skin Cleansing and Other Health Benefits

Also according to livestrong.com, the sauna is an excellent way to cleanse the body of toxins through perspiration. You will not get this same result in a hot tub because you will not sweat as much, especially on your face. Freeing facial skin of impurities is one of the desired results of a good sweat. Livestrong mentions other benefits of saunas, such as the cleansing of the skin, increased circulation, and improved function of the immune and lymphatic systems.

Another benefit of heat therapy found in saunas and hot tubs is the relief of soreness from exertion or pain from arthritis. Most say that a hot tub is better for these purposes because of the weightless effect of the water and the ability to direct the pressure of water jets where they are most needed. Other benefits from hot tubs are a decrease in blood sugar levels and increased circulation in the case of saunas.

Maintenance

As with any part of the home, a carefully installed sauna or hot tub will not have any serious maintenance issues like leaks or rotting wood. For day-to-day maintenance, the sauna is more maintenance free.

If a sauna’s floor has been properly sealed and wood preservatives applied to the key components, very little maintenance is required beyond regular cleaning. Prop the door open when the sauna is not in use to allow the room to dry and provide towels for the seating areas to prevent perspiration stains.

Hot tubs, on the other hand, must be regularly maintained to keep them sanitary and efficient. The water chemistry should be tested and adjusted two or more times a week, depending on how much the tub is used. The spa filter must be cleaned or replaced when the pressure reaches a certain level, which means the pressure must be checked frequently. Even if the spa is kept visibly clean, the water should be drained and replaced every two to four months. Air out the hot tub cover twice weekly to prevent the growth of mold and mildew.

Health Risks

To avoid illness or injury, maintain the correct temperature in your sauna or hot tub, 140 degrees Fahrenheit for a sauna and 100 degrees Fahrenheit for a hot tub. Also, a hot tub’s water should be carefully monitored and treated to prevent the growth of bacteria. Always exit either a sauna or hot tub before you feel light-headed or dizzy. The American Heart Association no longer restricts the use of saunas and hot tubs for people with heart disease or high blood pressure. However, they caution that these patients should not move from cold to hot conditions repeatedly because it is an act that can actually raise blood pressure. Men should know that even short periods of sauna or hot tub heat can cause short-term infertility. In addition to these warnings, the Centers for Disease Control offers the following cautions:

• Do not let children under five use a hot tub.
• Pregnant women should stay out of both saunas and hot tubs since either can be harmful to an unborn child.
• Alcohol, prescription medications that cause drowsiness, or recreational drugs do not mix well with intense heat. Unconsciousness can result, causing possible drowning in a hot tub or severe burns or dehydration in a sauna.

Resale Value

A sauna increases the value of a home, and it is seen as a luxury item that is even more valuable in an upscale neighborhood accustomed to such luxuries. Real estate professionals are not as sure about hot tubs, however. The attractiveness of a hot tub has been given an iffy standing by many remodeling professionals. Much like a swimming pool, whether a hot tub increases a home’s value depends on many factors, including the personal preferences of the buyers and the quality of the hot tub.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

¹ Pump: A device used to move air, liquid, or gas by mechanical means

² Drywall: Type of plasterboard, commonly used to build walls and ceilings, composed of gypsum that is layered between sheets of heavy paper

³ Concrete slab: A flat area of concrete that can be used for a variety of purposes, such as a patio or a driveway