What Type of Wood Is Best for a Sauna? A Complete Guide to Sauna Timber

Problem: Choosing the wrong wood ruins the sauna experience.

Different woods affect heat, safety, smell, and durability. Understanding them helps you make the right decision.

This guide shows what makes a wood suitable for saunas¹ and compares popular options.

Why Does Sauna Wood Matter So Much?

Wrong wood can crack, overheat, or release toxins.

The right sauna timber ensures safety, comfort, and durability.

Sauna Wood Is More Than Just Aesthetic

Sauna wood is not just a design choice. It’s a key to safety, durability, and overall enjoyment. Wood reacts to heat, moisture, and human contact. The right type must stay cool to the touch, not emit sap or odors, and resist warping. This is why we never use any random timber in a sauna project.

Key Considerations When Selecting Sauna Wood

Factor	Importance in Sauna Use
Heat Resistance2	Avoids burns; keeps seating comfortable
Moisture Resistance	Prevents mold and wood warping
Low Resin Content	Prevents sticky surfaces and fumes
Aesthetics & Texture	Enhances experience and comfort

If we ignore these factors, we risk a dangerous and uncomfortable sauna. Good sauna design starts with smart wood selection.

What Are the Most Common Types of Sauna Timber?

Choosing sauna wood³ is like choosing the right tool for a job.

Popular sauna timbers include cedar, hemlock, spruce, aspen, and pine.

Common Sauna Timbers You’ll See Everywhere

In my factory and most sauna projects I’ve seen abroad, certain woods dominate. Each has pros and cons depending on budget, humidity, and usage.

Wood Type	Durability	Aroma	Resin Level	Color
Cedar	High	Strong	Low	Reddish
Hemlock	Medium	Mild	Low	Pale
Spruce	Medium	Neutral	Medium	Light
Aspen	Medium	None	Low	Creamy
Pine	Low	Strong	High	Yellowish

Each has a place. For example, cedar is ideal for commercial spas, while aspen fits well in modern home saunas.

How Do Cedar, Hemlock, and Spruce Compare in Sauna Use?

Not all sauna woods are equal under heat.

Cedar is premium, hemlock is balanced, spruce is budget-friendly.

The Big Three: Cedar⁴, Hemlock, Spruce

I’ve worked with all three types in various sauna projects. Here's how they perform:

Cedar

• Soft, heat-tolerant, and aromatic.
• Naturally resists insects and rot.
• Can darken over time but maintains structure.

Hemlock

• Light and clean appearance.
• Splinter-resistant but not as aromatic.
• Not ideal for very high humidity.

Spruce

• Readily available and cost-effective.
• May emit some resin unless well-dried.
• Good for wall panels but not benches.

Feature	Cedar	Hemlock	Spruce
Smell	Strong	Light	Neutral
Heat Safety	Excellent	Good	Moderate
Price	High	Medium	Low

Your budget and expectations will guide your choice here.

Is Softwood or Hardwood Better for Saunas?

This one depends on use, not just density.

Softwoods like cedar⁵ are preferred for heat comfort and cost.

Softwood Rules the Sauna World

While hardwoods are stronger, they absorb more heat and can burn skin. That’s why softwoods dominate traditional saunas.

Why Softwood?

• Lower heat retention = safer to touch.
• Easier to work with = cost-effective.
• Naturally aromatic = better experience.

What About Hardwood?

• May be used for accents or external finishes.
• Not ideal for benches or wall contact areas.

Wood Type	Comfort	Installation	Cost
Softwood	High	Easy	Lower
Hardwood	Low	Difficult	Higher

Stick with softwood unless there's a specific reason to mix.

What Makes a Sauna Wood Heat-Resistant and Safe?

Avoid burns, warping, or cracking.

Sauna wood must handle heat without absorbing or conducting it.

It’s All About Stability and Low Conductivity

Heat resistance isn’t about being fireproof. It’s about feeling safe. The wood must not conduct heat like metal. It must stay stable when moisture fluctuates.

Traits of Heat-Safe Sauna Wood

• Low thermal conductivity⁵
• Tight grain
• Dimensional stability
• No surface resin under heat

Safety Feature	Importance
Doesn’t overheat	Prevents skin burns
Doesn’t warp/crack	Increases lifespan
Doesn’t leak resin	Keeps surfaces clean

We’ve tested multiple woods, and the best performers always share these features.

How Does Wood Type Affect Sauna Smell and Experience?

Scent makes or breaks the sauna mood.

Cedar adds a relaxing smell⁶. Other woods are more neutral.

Smell Can Define a Sauna

Scent is often the first thing people notice when entering a sauna. It creates calm, stress relief, or discomfort depending on the wood.

Cedar: Strong, Pleasant

Customers often ask for cedar just because of the smell. It's naturally relaxing.

Hemlock: Light, Clean

Minimal scent—good for people with allergies.

Pine: Can Smell Like Resin

Not for everyone. Some find it overwhelming.

Wood Type	Aroma	Strength	Remarks
Cedar	Woody, spicy	Strong	Most preferred
Hemlock	Subtle wood	Mild	Neutral, allergy-safe
Pine	Resinous	Strong	Can be irritating

Smell enhances the overall experience, so don’t underestimate it.

Which Sauna Woods Are Best for High-Humidity Environments?

Not all wood can handle steam.

Aspen, cedar, and thermo-treated woods perform well in high humidity.

Moisture Resistance Is Critical

For steam saunas or humid regions, wood must resist mold, swelling, and decay.

Top Performers

• Cedar⁷: Naturally rot-resistant
• Aspen: Non-resinous and stable
• Thermo-treated: Enhanced stability

Poor Choices

• Regular pine: Warps and leaks resin
• Low-grade spruce: Prone to swelling

Wood Type	Mold Resistance	Swelling Resistance	Best Use Case
Cedar	Excellent	Excellent	All sauna types
Aspen	Good	Good	Steam/infrared
Thermo-treated	Very High	Very High	Commercial saunas

For wellness resorts or public spas, this is a top priority.

Is Thermally Modified Wood a Good Option for Saunas?

Modified wood offers modern durability.

Thermowood resists humidity⁸, mold, and warping better than untreated wood.

Thermo-Treatment Brings New Options

I've seen growing demand for Thermowood in spas. It's regular wood treated with heat in a special kiln. This makes it stronger, less absorbent, and darker in color.

Pros:

• Very stable in humid environments
• Longer lifespan
• Low maintenance

Cons:

• Higher cost
• Limited availability in some regions

Feature	Thermowood	Regular Wood
Water Absorption	Low	High
Stability	Excellent	Varies
Price	Higher	Lower

It’s an excellent investment for high-end projects.

What Wood Is Best for Infrared vs. Traditional Saunas?

Infrared and steam saunas need different qualities.

Infrared saunas benefit from aspen and basswood; steam saunas favor cedar.

Matching Wood to Technology

Infrared saunas⁹ heat the body directly. Steam saunas heat the room. This changes the wood requirement.

Infrared Sauna Needs:

• Low smell
• Low heat retention
• Comfort at closer body contact

Traditional Sauna Needs:

• Moisture resistance
• Heat durability
• Scent and feel

Sauna Type	Ideal Wood	Reason
Infrared	Aspen, Basswood	Hypoallergenic, cool to touch
Traditional	Cedar, Hemlock	Moisture-safe, aromatic

Choosing wrong can ruin user comfort.

How to Spot Low-Quality Sauna Timber?

Bad wood causes major safety risks.

Look for knots, inconsistent color, and excessive resin.

Signs of Inferior Sauna Wood

We’ve rejected many wood shipments in our factory. Problems include:

• Loose knots: Will fall out under heat
• Wet wood: Warps after installation
• Resin pockets: Release smoke and odor
• Unstable grain: Cracks under temperature change

Issue	Danger
Knots	Burns, breakage
Resin pockets	Toxic fumes
Inconsistent cut	Uneven heat distribution

Always ask for moisture content reports¹⁰ and origin certificates.

What Maintenance Does Sauna Wood Require?

Even great wood needs care.

Regular cleaning and ventilation¹¹ keep wood fresh and safe.

Simple Steps, Long-Term Benefit

In our projects, we advise every client to keep their sauna ventilated after each use. Wood should be cleaned with non-abrasive tools.

• Wipe benches weekly
• Avoid harsh chemicals
• Check for mold monthly
• Sand down any rough spots annually

Task	Frequency	Purpose
Wiping	Weekly	Removes sweat and stains
Inspection	Monthly	Prevents mold and damage
Sanding	Yearly	Keeps surface smooth

Good maintenance keeps a sauna looking and feeling new.

Can You Mix Different Woods in One Sauna?

Mixing can be smart—but risky if done wrong.

Mixed woods are fine if chosen for function, not just looks.

Blending Wood for Performance and Aesthetics

Some clients want contrast in walls and benches. It’s possible. But wood types must have similar heat and moisture behavior.

Good Combinations:

• Cedar (walls) + Aspen (benches)¹²
• Thermo Spruce (walls) + Basswood (accents)

Bad Combinations:

• Pine (walls) + hardwood (benches): Uneven heat retention

Combo Type	Verdict	Reason
Cedar + Aspen	Good	Balanced aesthetics/safety
Pine + Oak	Bad	Heat imbalance, discomfort

Test small batches first before full installation.

Conclusion

Choosing sauna wood isn’t about price or color alone. It’s about safety, comfort, and long-term use. From cedar’s aroma to Thermowood’s stability, each option fits a purpose. I always suggest evaluating usage type, humidity, and client expectations before picking the wood. A well-chosen sauna timber ensures fewer problems, more comfort, and better customer satisfaction.