Editorial Policy

This page explains how SaunAlmanac produces its content: how we research and write, the sources we rely on, how we handle health and safety topics, and how we correct and update our guides. Our aim is to be genuinely useful and honest about what we are and are not.

Who we are

SaunAlmanac is an independent editorial publication about saunas, heaters, stones, building and wellness, written for the Canadian climate. We are a small editorial team, not a manufacturer, retailer, installer, or a licensed trade or medical practice. We do not sell saunas or accessories, and our recommendations are made independently of any commercial relationship.

How we research and write

Our guides are researched from established sauna practice, manufacturer documentation, building and electrical standards, and published research, then organised into clear, practical articles. We aim to explain the reasoning behind advice — why a heater is sized a certain way, why stones are stacked loosely, why ventilation matters — rather than simply asserting it, so you can make informed decisions.

Where a topic touches on specialised, safety-critical or regulated areas — electrical work, structural building, chimneys, or health — we point readers toward qualified professionals and the relevant codes and authorities rather than presenting our articles as a substitute for expert, in-person advice.

Sources we rely on

Depending on the topic, we draw on sources such as:

• Established sauna-building and bathing practice, and manufacturer installation and safety documentation.
• Recognised standards, including the Canadian Electrical Code (CSA C22.1) and the Canadian standard for electric sauna heating equipment (CSA C22.2 No. 164).
• Peer-reviewed research for health-related topics, such as the long-running Finnish population studies on sauna bathing published in JAMA Internal Medicine (2015) and BMC Medicine (2018).
• Public-health reviews, such as the National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (Canada) rapid review of sauna environmental health risks.

Health and safety content

Our wellness articles describe what research and practice suggest, and we are careful to distinguish association from proof — much of the encouraging research on saunas is observational. SaunAlmanac does not provide medical advice. Nothing on this site is a substitute for a consultation with a qualified physician. People who are pregnant, have heart or blood-pressure conditions, or another significant medical condition should seek personalised medical advice before using a sauna or cold plunge.

Likewise, our building and heater articles are informational. Electrical connections must be made by a licensed electrician to local code, and wood-burning installations must meet fire code. We describe the principles; qualified professionals do the work.

Independence and funding

SaunAlmanac is not owned by, or affiliated with, any sauna manufacturer or retailer. When we reference specific brands or products, it is to help a decision, described as accurately as we can — not to promote any single company. Editorial decisions are made independently.

Updates and freshness

We revise articles as practice, products and standards change, and each article shows a "last updated" date. Our guidance reflects our understanding at the time of writing; where standards or codes are cited, always confirm the current edition and your local requirements.

Corrections

We want to get things right, and we correct errors promptly. If you spot a mistake, or believe something is out of date, please tell us at [email protected] and we will review and, where warranted, update the article.

Contact

Questions about our editorial standards? Email [email protected].