The Sauna’s Natural Beauty Begins in the Renewable Western Forest Saunas Since 1964 Sauna The Natural Bath SAUNA IS OUR ONLY BUSINESS! Welcome to the relaxing world of Sauna! I am a native of Finland, where Sauna is a national institution, and I grew up taking Saunas as a weekly ritual — now I use my Sauna daily. My Finnish pride in the Sauna and my desire to represent the “true” Sauna here in America, prompted me to start my own Sauna business in 1964. My company is able to offer you the “best of two worlds” — Finland and America. We import the FINLANDIA Sauna heaters from Harvia Oy in Finland, the world’s largest Sauna factory, because their heaters are unequaled in qual­ FINLANDIA’s manuFACTURING PLANT IS LOCATED IN THE MODERN 50,000 SQ. FT. FINLANDIA BUSINESS PARK IN PORTLAND, OREGON. FINLANDIA IS THE LARGEST ity and in providing the right Sauna climate PRIVATELY OWNED SAUNA COMPANY IN THE USA. for the bather. We proudly manufac ture our Sauna rooms in Portland, Oregon, the heart SAUNA, pronounced “sow (like The special heat and humidity of the timber country, where quality and how) nah,” is the only Finnish soothes and relaxes tired selection of lumber is unmatched! We take word in the English dictionary, muscles, relieves stress, and pride in “old country” craftsmanship, su peri or and it means “bath” and the promotes a wonderful feeling products and personal service. We still use “bathhouse.” Sauna has been of satisfaction and well being. 1" x 4 " wallboards while our competitors 1 a way of life for over 2000 A Sauna helps to maintain clear, use ⁄2" x 4" wallboards. Our nominal 1" x 4 " 11 years in Finland, where it was healthy skin and there is that is a true ⁄16" thickness. Competitors’ 1 invented. It was first brought afterglow of a rosy complexion so called 1" x 4 " is only ⁄2". to America by Finns who settled — the aura of good health! in Delaware in 1638, and one During the Sauna process, of their first Saunas was built the rate of blood circulation where the Philadelphia City increases, the rate of breathing Hall now stands. The Sauna is increases, and the pulse rate is more pop­­ular now than ever faster. Ten minutes of sauna is before, and it has become an like 10 minutes of exercise for es tab lished tradition for many the heart. Recent studies even Americans. found that Sauna usage helps SAUNA—IT’S VERY UNIQUE increase endurance and can reduce the occurrence and SAUNA is the only bath in the shorten the duration of the world in which both dry air common cold. An added and damp air are present at benefit is that a Sauna is very the same time. inexpensive to operate, as it is SAUNA— on only when being used, and WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? there is a short heat­up time SAUNA is a process—pure and (air is being heated rather than simple—a sensual pleasure. water such as in a hot tub). It is the body’s natural way to There is no major upkeep for a cleanse itself through per spir a­ Sauna. There are no harmful My company is the only manufacturer tion. The high heat (average of chemicals being absorbed into dedicated solely to the Finnish Sauna. 160° to 180°F) and the low the body (instead, the body’s I will not compromise my Finnish heritage humidity (about 25%) create poisons are removed through by selling infrared rooms (most come an environ ment which pro­ perspi ra tion), there are no from China) as they are not Saunas. motes over­all perspiration plumbing parts to freeze or Sauna has been plagiarized by infrared. and the deepest cleansing of repair, and there are no mois­ See page 21 for more details. pores of any bath in the world. ture problems for other areas of The body’s impurities are the house or building (Sauna is With warm wishes, flushed away (even nicotine­­ not a steam bath). The Sauna from a smoker’s body). is a self contained unit. Reino J. A. Tarkiainen 2 FPF66 WESTERN RED CEDAR SAUNA SHOWN WITH OPTIONAL CEDAR EXTERIOR, 12”X30” sidelight windows, wooden light shades, extra wALL LIGHT, AND H DESIGN BENCH LAYOUT. 3 Sauna Q&A 4 Ask The Sauna Experts HOW IS A SAUNA DIFFERENT WHY IS WATER NECESSARY SHOULD A SAUNA HAVE A FROM OTHER BATHS? IN A SAUNA? WATERPROOF FLOOR? A Sauna must have a special, Bathers can regulate their A Sauna must have a waterproof insulated room built of softwood; own hu mid ity to create a more floor so that it can be easily kept a heater which is designed and relaxing atmos phere and to aid clean, sanitary, and free of odor built to heat the room to a perspiration and deep clean s ing by washing with a disinfectant. temperature of about 180° F; of the pores. One or two dipper­ Best washable floors are cement, and stones which get hot (about fuls of water are ladled slowly tile (strongly recommended), 600° F) to produce a good steam over the hot stones as often as or vinyl. In new construction, when water is poured over them. the bather chooses. we also recommend a drain, Anything else is NOT A SAUNA! where possible (essential in WHY MUST A SAUNA BE commercial Saunas). IS A SAUNA A STEAMBATH? BUILT OF SOFTWOOD? A Sauna is not a steambath, The humidity must be absorbed SHOULD A SAUNA but a Sauna is superior to a to keep the atmosphere dry. BE INSULATED? steambath for opening pores and Softwoods have this property. Yes, to prevent heat loss. We ridding the body of impurities. Hardwoods become too hot to recommend R11 or R13 fiberglass As humidity is increased to only sit on or lean against. The wood batt type of insulation be tween the about 25% when water is poured must be kiln dried to within framing of the walls and ceiling. over the stones, the air is still dry. 6 ­11% moisture content to There is no possibility of water prevent shrink­­age and warpage. HOW HIGH SHOULD A condensation to cause damage SAUNA CEILING BE? to the surrounding areas of the WHY IS THE THICKNESS OF Sauna ceiling height should be Sauna room— peeling of wall­ THE WALL AND CEILING no higher than 7' as it is important paper or paint — and there is no PANELING IMPORTANT IN to bring the heat down to the chance of dry rot. In contrast, a THE SAUNA? bench levels. It is also more eco­ steambath has 100% humidity. The thicker the lumber and the nomical to heat, and the Sauna more growth rings per inch, the will heat faster. 8' is maximum for ARE ROCKS NECESSARY less chance there is of shrinkage. a Sauna. IN A SAUNA? FINLANDIA uses 1" x 4" material 11 Rocks are necessary to store heat (actual ⁄16" thick) because it will WHERE CAN A SAUNA and to produce steam when not shrink as much and has more BE INSTALLED? 1 water is poured over them. stability than ⁄2" x4" material Anywhere, but it is best to have it Heaters that do not heat rocks (see pg. 23 and last page). close to a shower for convenience. (such as infrared heaters) are not We do not use lower quality, FINLANDIA Saunas are found 1 Sauna heaters. cheaper woods such as ⁄2" knotty everywhere — from the Arctic to spruce or knotty pine. the Antarctic and from Mt. Everest SHOULD ROCKS BE to Death Valley. DIRECTLY HEATED? HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN Rocks must be distributed among YOUR SAUNA’S BEAUTIFUL WHO CAN USE A SAUNA? the electric elements in the heater APPEARANCE? Any healthy person of any age can so that they will get hot enough Natural wood which is used in safely use a Sauna. People with to produce a good steam and so any Sauna will show perspiration health risks should consult their that they will filter the heat for a stains. Lighter wood will not show physician before using a Sauna. comfortable Sauna. Rocks which stains as quickly as darker wood, sit on top of a grille or basket will but over time will show signs of IS A SAUNA EXPENSIVE not produce a good steam and staining. Bathers should sit or lie TO OPERATE? the bather will experience a harsh on towels or bench mats to keep Heat up time is fast— about 25 to heat, be cause the heat reflects benches clean. Permanent back­ 30 minutes —and the Sauna is only directly off the elements. rests can be installed above upper on when being used. The average benches to keep the Sauna walls FINLANDIA home Sauna with 6KW IS INFRARED A SAUNA? clean. They can be easily removed heater costs as little as $7.50 per No. See page 21 for a comparison and sanded for new appearance. month to operate, when used 3 of Finnish Sauna vs. Infrared rooms. times a week. TOP: FPF57 STANDARD WESTERN RED CEDAR WITH OPTIONAL 3-RAIL BACKREST, CEDAR VENT, AND STAINLESS STEEL HEATER. BOTTOM: FPF46 WESTERN RED CEDAR SAUNA WITH OPTIONAL CEDAR EXTERIOR, 12"X 30" SIDELIGHT WINDOW, OUTDOOR LIGHT SWITCH, AND STARLINE SKYLIGHT ROOF. STARLINE ROOF AVAILABLE IN 4X4 TO 6X8 SIZES. 5 Prefab Modular Saunas — FPF SUSTAINABLE FOREST PRACTICES All woods used have been grown in sustainable, renewable forests that are managed to ISO standards. Our prefab modular Saunas are available in many standard sizes, or we can custom build them to suit your needs.