Provided Photo Keweenaw Saunas' most popular product is the cylindrical sauna with its distinctive diamond-shaped back windows.
CHASELL TOWNSHIP – Saunas are nothing new to the Upper Peninsula. Saunas were introduced to the region by Finnish immigrants in the mid-19th century, especially for use in country homes, and have been an integral part of Finnish life and culture for centuries. For the Finns, the sauna was more than just a means of washing; In addition, it purified their minds, renewed their spirits, and gave them a feeling of serenity. The sauna was very important for those arriving in the Upper Peninsula of Finland, in fact, when the forest was cleared and the house was built, the sauna was the first building constructed on the farm. There is evidence that saunas date back to 2000 BC. As culture has evolved over the centuries, the sauna has remained an integral part of Finnish culture.
Keweenaw Saunas is a local company and has been manufacturing cedar saunas for over a decade. The company was founded by Reed McCoy and his wife and business partner, Tammy, in 2010. The facility was originally located in Ripley, but after a few years, they were offered a larger building on US 41, near Klingville Road in Chassel Township, and moved the manufacturing facility there.
McCoy, a licensed builder, said he came up with a plan to start the company when he retired because he wanted to stay active.
“The barrel sauna idea is not my idea.” He confesses. According to several sources, the concept comes from Finnish immigrants who built wooden water towers. some “cooperating” Barrel saunas have curved sticks that resemble wine barrels.
Keweenaw Saunas use Western red cedar instead of white Easter rice for a number of reasons. Red rice contains more resins and preservatives than white rice, and therefore tolerates moisture better.
“Western cedar is also more aromatic.” McCoy said. “Saunas made with white cedar will smell like cedar, but they don't have the overpowering scent of red cedar.”
Western red cedar has twice the stability of other softwoods.
While red cedar dries quickly when harvested and experiences less shrinkage than white cedar, McCoy said the red cedar he buys for his Keweenaw Saunas is kiln-dried rather than outdoors, to further reduce shrinkage. Additionally, red cedar is stronger than eastern wood.
Another distinct advantage of barrel saunas over square saunas is that they heat up faster, in less than half an hour. Due to the high temperature, in square saunas, the heat is trapped in the ceiling; For this reason, traditional saunas are equipped with seats on more than one level. The natural shape of a barrel sauna works like a convection oven. The shape of the chamber allows the rising heat to be pushed down the sides and back into the sauna as new heat rises from the heater.
“The circular shape allows the hottest temperature to flow toward the Earth.” McCoy said“The heat circulates more evenly throughout the sauna compared to square rooms.”
The high temperatures generated in a sauna, especially in northern climates in the winter, will cause the wood to expand and contract. But as with Finnish saunas, Keweenaw Saunas include ball-and-socket joints in the wood sticks to allow for expansion and contraction, and they also eliminate the need for screws or nails, which can contribute to wood cracking under repeated expansion and contraction.
To further protect the sauna's exterior from the elements, the upper half of the sauna was covered with an asphalt roof, which McCoy said is superior to metal roofs.
“Metal roofs create a moisture barrier and prevent moisture from escaping through the wood.” He said, “Whereas traditional roof shingles allow more moisture to escape.”
While McCoy sees more companies manufacturing barrel saunas, Keweenaw Saunas' years in the industry have allowed the company to draw on its experience to innovate and improve the features of its saunas. For example, the company does not purchase built-in sauna burners. McCoy contracts with a local manufacturer to build wood-fueled stoves with a back-loading door that allows the stove to be fueled from outside the sauna. McCoy designed the stove.
“By loading the stove from outside” He said, “It removes bark and other debris on wood that's fallen on the sauna floor. It's a cleaner way of doing things.”
The ultimate characteristic of Keweenaw Saunas is the passion and pride that permeates every product produced. This is evident in the build quality, the precise joints and craftsmanship, all the way to the company's signature, diamond-shaped windows on the back wall of the body.
A barrel sauna does not require a foundation. It lies on the cradle included in the sauna. Since they come in different sizes, they are perfect for the backyard, summer house, or at the campground.
So, relax, refresh and exhaust yourself in dry heat or steam. Help your body detoxify, increase circulation, and relieve arthritis and fibromyalgia. Taking a sauna can also enhance healthy skin pores and athletic performance. Sweating helps the kidneys remove toxin accumulation by 28%.
To learn more about Keweenaw saunas, available sizes, both cylindrical and square saunas, prices and options, visit https://keweenawsaunas.com/, call 906-481-3000, or visit the store from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Weekends by appointment.
