Sauna design, part 6/9: Choosing lighting

Indirect lighting, reflected from the surface of the wood, is sufficient for atmospheric lighting in the sauna. In a cosy sauna, the sauna lamp is not visible, but the light is brought to where it is needed for atmosphere and safety! However, there are many different options for sauna lighting, so let’s go through them!

1.1 Sauna lights conveniently integrated into the ceiling

Sun Sauna’s designed ECO model sauna fibre light is easy to install when the board is put in place. If both the table and the sauna lamp come from us, a fibre groove is already milled in the front edge of the seat at our factory. This way the fibres are conveniently hidden in the body of the sauna table and when installing the sauna table you only have to determine the holes for the fibre outlets in the table.
With our sauna light solution, the projector and transformer can also be conveniently installed inside the sauna, directly under the table. Both the projector and the transformer are housed in a heat and splash-proof enclosure (IP44 protection rating). Our sauna light is also completely silent and the light output of the fibre light remains good for a long time!

1.2 Ceiling light as an additional lighting source for the sauna

Of course, our sauna lighting range also includes a solution for lighting from the ceiling. The sauna ceiling fibre light kit is ideal for supplementary lighting in addition to the ceiling light kit. A multi-fibre ceiling light kit can also be used as the main sauna light. It can be used as an effect light above the stove (stove light), and possibly to illuminate a decorative or ornamental stone wall in your sauna. It is good to remember that fibres placed on the ceiling should always be glass-coated in the sauna, plastic fibres cannot withstand the high temperatures at the ceiling boundary in continuous use!

1.3 What is the right type of lighting for your sauna?

So what kind of lighting solutions will create a better atmosphere in the sauna and washroom areas as the dark autumn approaches? In the summer, there is understandably little need for modern or fancy sauna lighting in a cottage sauna. The light of the night shines through the sauna window, bringing natural light into the room. For many people, this is just enough lighting for bathing. As people move from summer cottages back to their home sauna, the importance of lighting becomes more important.Today’s most popular solutions are fibre optic or LED sauna lighting.

LED lighting is a cheaper solution as a one-off investment. We have encountered a problem with LEDs in terms of light degradation (this has also been tested in our “lab”). With current technology, the light output in hot & humid sauna conditions can degrade too quickly.

In addition to maintaining light output, another advantage of fibre lighting over LED lighting is ease of maintenance. A fibre-optic luminaire has only one light source (the bulb inside the projector) and the fibres themselves guide the light to the desired location in the sauna. If the bulb gets burnt out, it is easy to open the projector’s protective housing and replace the light source, the whole project takes only a few minutes.

1.4 More precise positioning of lighting in the sauna

Sun Sauna’s range therefore includes three different types of sauna fibre light: a ceiling fibre light, a ceiling fibre light with a fibre lens and a ceiling fibre light. In the ECO model, the fibres are usually placed on the front edge of the seat, pointing down towards the footboard, and on the back of the seat, pointing up towards the wall panels. The distance between the fibres should be about 20 to 30 centimetres, this calculation rule helps to determine the right set of fibres for each table: there should not be too few fibres, but on the other hand, too much light will spoil the atmosphere. The number of fibres in our sauna lights varies between 10 and 44 fibres. The smallest sets are for direct seating, the medium sets for L-shaped seating and the large sets for U-shaped and opposite seating.

If you are not comfortable with the idea of having a sauna light integrated into the ceiling tiles, then you should choose a ceiling light instead of a ceiling tile set. With such a luminaire, the number of variations is almost unlimited, the number and thickness of fibres varying wildly according to your preferences. A ceiling fibre luminaire is also a handy solution if you want to emphasise the decorative stone wall behind the stove in addition to the fibreglass luminaire.The plastic fibres should also not be placed too close to the stove. Ceiling fibres can be used not only in the sauna but also in the washroom, choosing a generous amount of small fibres will create a handsome “starry sky” in the bathroom.

1.5 Lighting in washing and changing rooms

Solid furniture that matches the colour scheme and material palette is best highlighted by well-considered and well-placed spot or focused lighting.
The most light is focused where it is most needed, taking into account, for example, safe routes. Targeted light should also be used to emphasise a deliberate shape, material, colour or pattern, for example.

It is also worth directing light into the bathtub in the washroom. Lighting the water creates different images and moods. You can also play around with different types of lighting in other parts of the washroom, such as underwater lights (LED), indirect lighting and directional lighting.

When designing lighting, it is worth bearing in mind that washrooms often have a lot of shiny and reflective surfaces and materials. These surfaces can be used as an effective means of lighting, but care must be taken with unwanted reflections.

2.1 Sauna lighting costs

The minimum you need to invest in sauna lighting is 30 euros, when you buy a so-called lattice lamp under the ceiling. Led lights cost around €50-250 and ceiling lights €340-600. The price is most affected by the number of fibres. If, in addition to board lighting, you also want lighting on the ceiling, you will need a separate fibre-optic ceiling light. The price of double lighting is around €650-1200.

Sun Sauna only sells fibre lights. During our long history, we have found that fibre lights are the best choice for sauna lighting. Our experience also speaks for itself when it comes to the guarantee we give for our fibre lights!

2.2 Well planned is half done

If you wish, you will always receive a proposal and an opinion from our experts when you ask for a quote, also for lighting. Here is a small list of tips for purchasing a sauna light:

• For a sauna, I prefer a fibre rather than an LED light. You can use LEDs in the bathroom, for example, where temperatures are not so high!
• Always choose a slightly too large rather than a small amount of fibres. Our designer will be happy to help you choose the right set.
• A modern sauna fibre light projector and transformer can be installed (at least our product!) inside the sauna room. If the fixture comes from another supplier, be sure to check if it is a dry room projector that needs to be placed outside the sauna, for example in the technical room.
• Take into account the location of the projector and transformer already in the planning phase of the electrical work, we can give you additional tips here too!
• Installing the fibres themselves is quite easy. If our table comes with a fibre lamp, the front edge of the seat is pre-cut with a groove for the fibre. All you need to do is to define the holes for the fibre outlets during the installation phase.
• Remember to always use a licensed electrician to connect the lamp to the mains!

Previous articles in “Sauna design” section

Part 1. Costs

Part 2. Design of a home spa

Part 3. Choosing a stove

Part 4. Glass wall for sauna

Part 5. Choosing a quality model

Design programme