Saunas have been cherished for centuries, offering a variety of health and relaxation benefits. The heat, the tranquility, and the soothing ambiance of a sauna are largely created by the materials used in its construction, with wood playing the most crucial role. But not all woods are created equal when it comes to building a sauna. From the heat resistance to the aesthetic appeal, selecting the right wood is paramount in creating the ideal sauna experience. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the best wood for saunas, focusing especially on cedar, and explore why it is the top choice for both traditional saunas and modern cedar barrel saunas.
Why Wood Type Matters for Your Sauna
The primary function of the wood in a sauna is to handle high heat and moisture levels. A sauna’s temperature typically ranges from 150°F to 195°F (65°C to 90°C), with some reaching even higher temperatures in specific instances. The wood needs to be durable, heat-resistant, and comfortable to touch. Not only does it need to withstand the heat and steam, but it also needs to be pleasant to the senses — sauna goers spend extended periods of time in close contact with the wood.
Some woods, particularly softwoods like cedar, are naturally more suited for these conditions. On the other hand, harder woods like oak can be too dense and heat-absorbing, causing the wood to become uncomfortable to the touch. Additionally, the wrong type of wood can lead to issues like warping, twisting, or off-gassing of toxic substances, which can make your sauna experience less enjoyable and potentially hazardous.
The Case for Cedar Sauna Wood
When it comes to selecting the best wood for a sauna, cedar stands out as the top choice for several reasons, particularly in the creation of both traditional and modern cedar barrel saunas. Here’s why:
Heat Resistance and Comfort
Cedar is a softwood, meaning its fiber structure is light and fibrous. This characteristic allows it to resist heat absorption, unlike harder woods such as oak, which can trap heat and become extremely hot to the touch. In a sauna, this means that the cedar wood stays relatively cool even at high temperatures, making it much more comfortable for sauna-goers to lean against or touch without risk of burns.
This heat-resistant quality makes cedar an ideal material for both traditional cedar sauna rooms and outdoor cedar barrel saunas. Even in environments where temperatures soar to 180°F or higher, cedar remains inviting and safe to touch, while harder woods can become unbearably hot.
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Natural Aroma and Relaxation
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Durability and Resistance to Decay
Why Not Other Woods?
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Pine and Other Sappy Woods
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Hardwoods Like Oak and Maple
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Cheap Softwoods Like Hemlock and Aspen
The Importance of Knot-Free Wood
When selecting wood for your sauna, whether it’s a traditional cedar sauna or a wood fired sauna, one key consideration is to ensure the wood is knot-free. Knots in wood are denser than the surrounding fibers, meaning they expand and contract at a different rate when exposed to heat. This uneven movement can cause the wood to warp, crack, or even cause the knots to fall out, leading to structural instability and an unattractive appearance.
To maintain the integrity of your sauna and ensure long-lasting performance, always opt for high-quality, knot-free wood. Cedar is often available in high-quality, kiln-dried forms that are free of imperfections, making it the best choice for a sauna.
When building or purchasing a sauna, whether it’s a traditional cedar sauna or a modern cedar barrel sauna, choosing the right wood is essential to creating the perfect sauna experience. Cedar offers the ideal balance of heat resistance, durability, pleasant aroma, and aesthetic appeal. It resists decay, stays cool to the touch even in high temperatures, and provides the aromatic, soothing qualities that many sauna lovers cherish.
Avoid woods that are dense, sappy, or inexpensive, like pine, oak, or aspen. Instead, choose high-quality cedar, and you’ll ensure that your sauna experience is both relaxing and long-lasting. Whether you’re investing in a cedar barrel sauna for your backyard or a custom-built cedar sauna for your home, cedar is undoubtedly the best wood for creating an ideal sauna environment.
See our technical specifications and sauna features for a full rundown of all the high quality and long-lasting materials that go into each and every one of our cedar saunas.
