January 30th, 2010
I get that question a lot. It’s a fair question, as you are investing your money in a wood product that will likely go outdoors. You have already read our other blog posts regarding the natural weatherability of Red Cedar , so you know that the wood will last. You also know that we offer a full 25-year warranty on the manufacturing construction, so you know the Almost Heaven Sauna is built well. But have you actually seen a sauna that is over 30 years old? We have, and we are happy to show you a picture of an original Almost Heaven Barrel Sauna that we built over thirty years ago.
This sauna is owned by the original purchaser and it has never been treated; the look is completely natural. What other product can you buy, put out side for over 30 years, and still be using on a regular basis?! We’d say, “not many,” and it is a testament to the quality of Almost Heaven Saunas!
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January 28th, 2010
We’re often asked when the best time is to purchase and use an Almost Heaven Sauna. The answer? RIGHT NOW! Seriously, there is no “season” for sauna use as some incorrectly assume. The use of sauna is not about getting warm in cold weather, but rather experiencing a healthy sauna session at any time and during any season. This is why we sell saunas the world over and during all seasons of the year. Here in the U.S. we sell saunas regularly to customers in the hottest parts of the country. Texas, Florida, Arizona and Southern California are all regular markets for us, underscoring the desire to own and use our quality products at all times. Looking for an excuse to buy an Almost Heaven Sauna? The excuse does not lie in the time of year or geographic location, but rather in wanting to experience the healthy living and relaxation aspects of an Almost Heaven Sauna at any time!
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January 27th, 2010
There are several barrel sauna manufacturers producing a range of different barrel designs. We frequently point out the differences in the quality of wood that is used, reminding readers of the importance and advantages of high-grade, clear red cedar. Howver, there is another difference that should be noted, and that is the type of stave that is used in the production of the barrel sauna. Dictionary.com defines a stave as, “one of the thin, narrow, shaped pieces of wood that form the sides of a cask, tub, or similar vessel.” On the barrel sauna, the stave is the board that serves as the perimeter wall of the sauna.
Almost Heaven Saunas are unique in that we only use 2×4 staves in our saunas, compared to 2×6 material used in other brands. There are two key advantages to using more narrow stave. First, since a 2×6 is wider, it creates a large angle between each board as they wrap around the sauna. This angle makes it easier for water and moisture to seep into the sauna room. While all barrel saunas will allow for some moisture to seep between the boards, narrow boards create a tighter seal around the entire perimeter, minimizing the effect.
The scond advantage is simply aesthetics. The 2×4 staves create a more natural curve around the sauna, elminating the jagged look that occurs when using 2×6 material. A quick look at the profiles comparing the two types of wood around the perimeter of the sauna makes the 2×4 stave the obvious choice when looking for an elegent, higher-end look. The sauna built with 2×4 staves is more expensive due to the additional milling required for the additional boards, but we believe the end result is well worth the investment!
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January 26th, 2010
Be believe that Almost Heaven Saunas are the highest quality saunas in the world, and we back this claim with an unprecidented 25-year limited warranty on our sauna rooms. You can rest assured that you are buying the best sauna on the market today from a company that stands behind its products. Did you know that Almost Heaven Saunas has been quietly building our cooperage style steam saunas in the mountains of West Virginia for over thirty years? Few companies, let alone sauna manufacturers, can make that claim. I find it comical that manufacturers of some saunas offer a “lifetime” warranty when they havn’t been in business for more than a few years. Additionally, some of these same companies are importing saunas from China and offering warranties on products made by a company they have never seen. At Almost Heaven Saunas we back our products with a solid warranty, excellent reputation and genuine longevity
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January 25th, 2010
Here at Almost Heaven Saunas we have seen a steady increase in both inquiries and sales of our traditional steam saunas. I think this has to do with the energy efficiency of saunas versus, say spas, as well as the Health Benefts of traditional steam saunas. Also, we have a very good reputation for quality and service which generates a substantial amount of word-of-mouth referrals for us. However, I also believe that there is a growing realization in the marketplace that traditional steam saunas are more conducive to reliability and a healthy lifestyle than the infrared rooms being so heavily promoted on the internet. Not a week goes by without at least one call from a dealer or consumer who is unhappy with either the quality or performance of the infrared “sauna” the purchased on the web or through a big-box store. This is not to say that all infrared rooms are bad – we offer a very nice unit to those who insist on infrared – but most of them are manufactured sloppily from an array of Chinese manufacturers, and obtaining parts and service is VERY difficult. We are very pleased with the increasing interest in the authentic and traditional sauna experience that Almost Heaven Saunas is known for! An Almost Heaven Sauna purchase is an investment in a quality product for a healty lifestyle.
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January 16th, 2010
Almost Heaven Saunas is one of the few manufacturers to put a glass door on outdoor saunas. While we do have an optional Wood Door , there are some nice advantages to our standard glass door. First of all, the glass door is both tinted and tempered, providing both privacy and safety. Second, the glass door provides a more open feel to the sauna room. Some people can feel a bit claustrophobic in a sauna room environment, and the glass door allows for natural light to enter the sauna and alleviate these concerns. Of course, our wood door has a small window as well, providing a very nice and stylish alternative to the glass door. Almost Heaven Saunas are built with the sauna bather in mind, and you can choose your specific options and styles to meet your individual tastes! We are also able to customize saunas to your specific needs, so whether you need a certain size or design, rest assured that we can design a sauna for your specific application.
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January 14th, 2010
We promote Almost Heaven Saunas as being built in the “cooperage” tradition, but what exactly does “cooperage” mean? Dictionary.com defines “cooperage” as “large, bulging cylindrical container of sturdy construction traditionally made from wooden staves and wooden or metal hoops.” While Cooperage Construction is generally associated with the building of whiskey barrels or pickle vats, the process is the same as with Almost Heaven Saunas. Our saunas are built in the cooperage tradition, meaning that they are build of wooden staves that are drawn tightly together with metal hoops. In the case of Almost Heaven Saunas, we use solid red cedar staves and highly polished stainless steel hoops, and while the finished product is a high-quality, furniture-grade barrel, the process is the same. There is much more in the way of craftsmanship that goes into the building of an Almost Heaven Sauna, but we’ll leave that discussion to another blog entry! Suffice it to say that no other manufacturer in the industry builds true, cooperage-style saunas with the level of precision and detail as does Almost Heaven Saunas!
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January 14th, 2010
Almost Heaven Saunas has introduced an exciting new sauna model for 2010. The ELLIPSE is our newest barrel sauna, but unique in that it is an elliptical design. Ellipse Sauna This elongated profile provides substantially more room in the sauna, allowing us to add other amenities to the unit. For example, the Ellipse has a duckboard, flat floor that consists of removable floor sections that allow for cleaning of any debris that falls through the flooring. Additionally, the bench seats are wider and includes contoured back supports for added comfort. The standard Ellipse seats 6 people very comfortably, and the unit is also available in a canopy version as well as with our optional wood door. The Ellipse Sauna is the first of its kind, and another exciting and innovative quality product from Almost Heaven Saunas! Authentic Saunas
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January 11th, 2010
We’re seeing a nice, steady increase in the interest of genuine wet/dry saunas. Almost Heaven Saunas Why is that? We would like to think that part of the reason is that only Almost Heaven Saunas embody the solid wood construction of the original, Finnish saunas, combining the sauna design with quality in materials and craftsmanship that is simply unmatched in the industry. In addition to the product itself, however, there is an obvious shift in desires and buying habits of those looking for home relaxation and entertainment. The combintation of low operational costs and zero maintance for a sauna is a powerful alternative to a spa or pool which delivers the opposite; high operational costs and ongoing maintenance. Buyers want to reduce costs and help the environment, but they still want to add amenities to their home. Add to this the fact that a true wet/dry sauna provies many physical benefits that can continually contribute to healthy living. Health Benefits Quite simply, there are no down-sides to owning an Almost Heaven Sauna!
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January 8th, 2010
A sauna is such a great home purchase for a couple of reasons. First, and probably most importantly, it is a healthy life choice. Having a product at your home that can provide healthy relaxation at any time is a terrific amenity. Weight loss, improved skin tone and body cleansing are just some of the benefits of a home sauna, and these benefits are ready and waiting when your schedule permits. HealthBenefits No need to travel or schedule your sauna treatment; just turn on your sauna and take a healthy break! Second, a sauna is very affordable to operate. It is only drawing power when it is being used, and unlike a hot tub, requires virtually no energy or maintenance when it is not in use!
Any one of the Almost Heaven Saunas combines these two benefits and packages them into a very attractive and high-quality sauna. Almost Heaven Saunas The cooperage construction technique and the unique styles and designs are simply unmatched in the sauna industry. In addition, the reputation of Almost Heaven Saunas goes back over thirty years, and we are among the oldest and most established sauna manufacturers in the world… right here in the U.S.A. We are proud of our heritage and continue to add to our large base of satisfied sauna customers!
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