Sauna vs steam room: which should you build at home?
A sauna gives dry heat of 70 to 100°C in a timber room. A steam room gives wet heat of 40 to 50°C at close to 100% humidity in a tiled, waterproofed room. Saunas are quicker and cheaper to build at home. Steam rooms suit people who prefer moist heat and a spa feel.
Design conceptThe short comparison
A sauna is a dry timber room at 70 to 100°C. A steam room is a sealed tiled room at 40 to 50°C and close to 100% humidity, and it costs more to build.
| Sauna | Steam room | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 70 to 100°C (infrared 45 to 60°C) | 40 to 50°C |
| Humidity | 10 to 20%, more when you pour water on the stones | Close to 100% |
| Built from | Insulated timber | Waterproofed walls, tile or stone |
| Heat source | Electric heater or infrared panels | Steam generator |
| Build time | two to three weeks | Three to five weeks |
| Starting price | AED 18,500 | AED 34,000 |
| Upkeep | Dry out after use, annual service | Clean grout and drain, descale generator |
Choose a sauna if
Choose a sauna if you want dry heat, the simplest build and the lowest running cost.
- You like intense dry heat and the smell of timber.
- You want the simplest build and the lowest running cost.
- You have limited space, or no water and drain nearby.
Choose a steam room if
Choose a steam room if you prefer moist heat, want a spa or hammam feel, or already have the bathroom open for renovation.
- You find dry heat too harsh and prefer moist, softer heat.
- You want a hammam or a spa style room in stone or tile.
- You are already renovating a bathroom, so plumbing and waterproofing are open.
What a home sauna costs to run on DEWA
Most home saunas in Dubai cost between AED 12 and AED 70 a month in electricity, used four times a week. Infrared sits at the bottom of that range, a large traditional heater at the top.
| Room and heater | Per session | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Infrared, two person, 2 kW panels | 1.8 kWh | AED 12 to 14 |
| Traditional, small room, 6 kW heater | 6 kWh | AED 39 to 45 |
| Traditional, 2 x 2 m with glass, 9 kW heater | 9 kWh | AED 58 to 67 |
| Steam room, 2 x 2 m tiled, 9 kW generator | 4 kWh | AED 26 to 30 |
Our estimate. Assumes 17 sessions a month, a 45 minute warm up and a 30 minute session for traditional saunas (heater at full power to warm up, then cycling at about half power), 55 minutes for infrared, and 40 minutes for steam. Priced at 38 to 44 fils per kWh, which is DEWA's 32 and 38 fils slabs plus the fuel surcharge, where most Dubai villas sit for much of the year. VAT is extra. Check the current rates on the DEWA slab tariff page.
Can you have both?
Yes. Many villa owners put a sauna and a steam room side by side with a shower between them, or convert a large shower into a steam shower next to a sauna. If space is tight, a hybrid sauna with water on the stones gives you a wetter heat in a timber room.
What a steam room needs that a sauna does not
A steam room is a wet room. It needs a waterproofing membrane on every surface, a floor that falls to a drain, a sloped ceiling so condensation runs down the walls rather than dripping on you, a sealed glass door, and a steam generator sized to the room. That is why steam rooms take longer and cost more to build.
Sources
Figures on this page come from our own builds in Dubai and from these references.
Questions
What is the difference between a sauna and a steam room?
A sauna is dry heat, usually 70 to 100°C with low humidity, built from timber. A steam room runs at around 40 to 50°C with close to 100% humidity, and is built from waterproofed walls finished in tile or stone with a steam generator.
How do you stop a steam room from leaking?
We apply a full waterproofing membrane to walls, floor and ceiling, flood test the floor for 24 hours before tiling, and fall the floor to a drain. Steam rooms fail when this step is rushed, which is why we never skip the flood test.
Can you build a hammam at home?
Yes. A home hammam is a steam room finished in marble or stone with a heated bench, and often a basin and a domed or vaulted ceiling. It needs the same waterproofing as a steam room plus stonework, so it takes longer to build.
How much does a home sauna cost in Dubai?
A built in infrared sauna from Sauna Spaces starts at AED 18,500, a traditional Finnish sauna for a 2 x 2 m room starts at AED 26,500, and a hybrid sauna starts at AED 29,500. Prices include design, supply and installation in Dubai and exclude VAT. Your final price depends on size, timber, heater and finish.