Whether you’re trying to understand the difference between traditional and infrared, how saunas work, maintenance, materials, design or SDS Australia we’re here to help.
1.1 Where is SDS Australia located?
SDS Australia now has two factory locations spread across New South Wales and Victoria. Our NSW factory is located at 1/32 Cumberland Avenue, South Nowra. Our new VIC factory is at 45 Longford Road Epping.
Our head office is Suite 1, 52 Alfred Street, Milsons Point, NSW and has free parking for customers (please call ahead and organise your visit with us).
2.1 Do our prices include shipping?
No, SDS Australia currently excludes the cost of shipping from the prices of products in our online shop.
2.2 How does standard shipping through SDS work?
SDS aims to make your shipping cost as minimal as possible. Given that we sell items Australia wide that weigh as little as 500 grams right through to saunas (with all their packaging) that weigh in excess of 900 kgs the price can vary greatly.
Our sales team will work with you to find the best solution. If it’s something smaller we can easily use Australia Post. However, for larger items we are more likely to use TNT and may even ship it to your nearest depot if suitable for you to save you money.
If you live around or are happy to travel to our factory in South Nowra you can pick up your goods free of charge.
3.1 What’s the difference between an infrared vs traditional sauna?
The main difference between an infrared and traditional sauna is how it emits heat.
Infrared saunas heat come from entirely their own infrared panels. An infrared sauna only heats your body instead of the sauna room itself. This means that you need to get your body up close to the panels which will generate heat into your body.
While a traditional sauna has a source of heat be it an electric or woodfired heater which heats up the entire space.
Anther difference includes the heat up time. Traditional saunas can take 30-45 minutes to heat up as they need to heat the entire space whereas infrared takes closer to 10-20 minutes.
3.2 How hot do saunas get?
This varies according to the bathers’ wishes. Usually the temperature is between 70°C and 100°C , the widely-agreed-upon ideal temperature being somewhere around 85°C degrees. Also, the higher you sit in a sauna (upper bench versus lower bench), the hotter the temperature will be.
3.3 How long should I stay in the sauna?
Use common sense as to what feels comfortable. A typical user says in the sauna for 10-15 minutes, steps out to cool off, then returns to the sauna and repeats the process as desired. If at any time you begin to feel uncomfortable, leave the sauna and cool off.
3.4 Should I pour water on the rocks in a sauna heater?
Yes. Ladling one or two dipperfuls of water over the rocks will allow you to regulate the humidity in the sauna. Experiment to find out what feels most comfortable to you.
Any water applied to a sauna heater should be done using a ladle. This accomplishes 2 things. It keeps your hand away from rising steam preventing a possible steam burn, and secondly, you can apply just the right amount of water that will turn to steam when it hits the rocks.
If you are pouring so much water onto the heater so the floor is awash with water, it is doing no good in the sauna and is far too much. NOTE: use only potable water, NOT water from a swimming pool or hot tub which contains chlorine and is very corrosive as well as unhealthy.
3.5 What should I do after my sauna?
Take a shower or bath to cleanse your skin. A cool rinse will close your pores and leave you feeling refreshed. Drink fluids to replenish those lost through perspiration. Applying a skin moisturizer is a good idea. Drink water, mineral water, fruit or vegetable juice to replace lost fluids.
3.6 What should I do to clean my sauna?
The sauna does not require any special care. However, the wood needs to be protected against excessive exposure to water. This means the cabin should not be washed out using water and a hose.
After every use you should leave the sauna door open at least one inch while the sauna cools. This will prevent the wood from cracking and cupping. It also allows the sauna to breath when not being used, further preserving its fresh wood smell.
The floor of the sauna area simply needs wiping over from time to time. The benches should be cleaned with a damp (not wet) cloth. If this is not sufficient, a special sauna cleaner should be added to the water. The parts cleaned in this way should then be well aired. Use fine sandpaper to remove heavy stains.
3.7 How am I suppose to bathe?
There are no rules, only guidelines. You could take your clothes right off or wear some bathers. Either way you simply sit or lay down on the benches with your towel and relax.
The air is not particularly humid at first (there is no visible steam). To create warmth and steam you simply throw some water on the stones to increase humidity. This causes the water to vaporise very quickly, and it makes the bathers feel a momentary breath of hot air in their backs. It may be uncomfortable, if the stove is too hot or if you use too much water. In those cases it helps to step down on the lower bench, or to go out entirely. This is also perfectly acceptable, and first-time sauna bathers shouldn’t feel obligated to stay in if they don’t feel like it. The basic goal is to enjoy and relax, and sweat. After you’ve done enough of that, you go to the showers, and/or swim in the lake, depending on the facilities. After swimming or showering, you can go back to the sauna, and repeat this cycle as many times as you want.
4.1 What wood should be used to build a sauna?
First of all it should be softwood. Softwoods have many advantages. They absorb excess humidity to keep the sauna atmosphere dry. Unlike hardwoods, they do not become hot and uncomfortable to sit on or lean against. They must, however, be properly kiln-dried to prevent shrinkage and warping.
Our personal recommendation for sauna timber is Western Red Cedar. We also highly recommend Aspen varieties.
4.2 What kind of floor is recommended in a sauna?
The floor must be waterproof: cement, tile, or vinyl, anything that will not absorb water and is easy to clean periodically. Never use carpet. A floor drain is not necessary for home use, but is essential in commercial settings to facilitate cleaning.
Any water applied to a sauna heater should be done using a ladle. This accomplishes 2 things. It keeps your hand away from rising steam preventing a possible steam burn, and secondly, you can apply just the right amount of water that will turn to steam when it hits the rocks. If you are pouring so much water onto the heater so the floor is awash with water, it is doing no good in the sauna and is far too much.
NOTE: use only potable water, NOT water from a swimming pool or hot tub as it contains either salt or chlorine and is very corrosive to your sauna.
4.3 What size should my sauna be?
The important thing is bench length because you will likely want to lay down, so plan on one wall being at least 1.8 m long. The other wall can be anywhere from 1.2 m (on the small side) to a more comfortable width up to 2.0 m.
Since heat rises, it is recommended to build a sauna no higher than 2.1 m in height to avoid heating up wasted space. If higher room heights are wanted, additional bench levels are required to keep bathers head as close to the ceiling as possible, as this is where the heat it.
4.4 How long does it take for a sauna to reach operating temperature?
If you have insulated your walls and ceiling carefully, your room should reach operating temperature in 30-45 minutes when the heater is properly sized. During this time period the rocks will be properly heated for soft heat and soft steam and the wood interior will be comfortably heated, too.
We recommend you close any vents and doors during the warm-up period. Other factors such as glass door and windows, ceramic tile may extend this time slightly.
4.5 What is the average cost to operate a sauna?
Though rates vary by region and climate, a 6 kW (appropriate size for 1.5*2.0 m sauna) heater will cost about $2/month when used 6 times per month.