In light of the numerous health benefits you stand to gain from installing a sauna in your house, it is time to consider which wood is best. Investing in the appropriate kind of wood is critical if you intend for your sauna to last for many years.
Your prospective home sauna’s durability, style, texture, longevity, and even atmosphere will all depend on the sort of wood you choose. If you wish for your sauna to survive for generations, you should keep reading since we’ll be talking about the best sauna wood options.
Building a sauna at home is a great way to enjoy the benefits of sauna therapy in the privacy of your own home. There are several options for building a sauna at home, including pre-built saunas, sauna kits, and custom-built saunas.
What Kind Of Wood Is Used For The Sauna?
The following are some of the woods used to build a sauna:
1. Cedar
Traditionally, the most common type of wood used for sauna construction is cedar or redwood. These woods are naturally resistant to rot and decay, and they release a pleasant aroma when heated, which adds to the overall sauna experience. They are also great insulators that help retain heat inside the sauna.
Cedar saunas are relatively expensive but they are well worth the investment, they are durable and will last for many years. Cedar wood is also a sustainable resource.
It is important to use only high-quality cedar wood for sauna construction to ensure that it will last for many years. It is also important to use only dry and knot-free wood, as knots can weaken the structure of the sauna over time.
2. Spruce:
Spruce is another popular wood used for sauna construction. It is a lightweight wood that is easy to work with, making it a suitable option for both pre-built and custom-built saunas. Spruce has good insulation properties and is relatively affordable compared to some other woods like cedar.
Spruce wood is a softwood and it is known for its good insulation properties, it is also relatively light in weight and easy to work with. Spruce saunas are less expensive than cedar saunas but they are still durable and will last for many years.
Like cedar, spruce wood is also a sustainable resource. Spruce is a fast-growing species, meaning it can be harvested and replanted relatively quickly, making it a more environmentally-friendly option than some other woods.
It is important to use only high-quality, dry and knot-free spruce wood for sauna construction to ensure that it will last for many years. Spruce wood also needs to be treated with a special sauna oil, this oil will protect the wood from water and humidity and will also give the wood a pleasant aroma.
3. Hemlock:
Hemlock is another wood commonly used in sauna construction. It is known for its strength and durability and is also lightweight and easy to work with. Hemlock is also resistant to decay and is a good insulator, which helps retain heat inside the sauna. Hemlock has similar insulation properties as cedar and spruce, but it is less expensive than cedar.
One of the biggest advantages of hemlock over other woods is its resistance to decay and rot, which makes it a great option for saunas that will be exposed to high humidity and moisture. Additionally, it is often considered a more affordable option than cedar, making it a good choice for those on a budget.
Hemlock wood is a good option for sauna construction, but it is important to use only high-quality, dry and knot-free wood. It should also be treated with a special sauna oil, this oil will protect the wood from water and humidity and will also give the wood a pleasant aroma.
It is also important to note that Hemlock wood is often harder to find than cedar or spruce, which can make it more difficult to source for sauna construction.
4. Pine:
Pine is another popular choice for saunas. Compared to cedar or hemlock, it’s a bit cheaper, but it works just fine for building saunas. Pine is a great choice for a sauna’s construction because wood is not only lightweight and easy to work with, but also has strong insulating capabilities.
Pine is a type of softwood that is prized for its useful insulating capabilities; it is also prized for being lightweight and simple to work with. In comparison to cedar or hemlock saunas, pine saunas have a lower initial investment but last for many years. Pine wood is environmentally preferable since it is a renewable resource and a fast-growing species, allowing for rapid replanting after harvest.
To ensure a sauna lasts for many years, only high-quality, dry, knot-free pine wood should be used in its construction. As a sauna’s wood sauna oil is used to protect the wood from moisture and humidity while also imparting a pleasant aroma to the wood.
Pinewood, unlike cedar or hemlock, is more prone to warping and shrinking with time, perhaps making it unsuitable for use in sauna construction.
5. Aspen:
Building a sauna out of aspen is another option. It’s lightweight and simple to work with, and it insulates just as well as pine, spruce, and hemlock. In terms of aesthetics, a sauna built with aspen wood can be a good choice because of its uniform hue and silky feel.
Aspen wood is a softwood that is prized for its high insulating value, low weight, and ease of construction. Costing far less than cedar saunas, aspen saunas still last for years. Aspen wood is more eco-friendly than other types of wood since it is a renewable resource and a fast-growing species that can be cut down and replaced in a short amount of time.
Only high-quality, dry, and knot-free Aspen wood should be used for a sauna to ensure its longevity. A particular sauna oil is required for aspen wood; this oil will seal the wood against moisture and humidity and provide a pleasant scent.
Aspen wood is also more challenging to get than more typical sauna woods like cedar, spruce, hemlock, or pine because of its rarity.
Chemically treated wood, which might generate toxic gases when heated, should not be used in a sauna. Sauna wood needs to be dry, knot-free, and insulating.
How To Choose A Wood For Your Sauna At Home
When choosing a wood for your sauna at home, there are several factors to consider:
- Insulation properties: The wood should be a good insulator to help retain heat inside the sauna.
- Durability: The wood should be resistant to rot and decay, and able to withstand high humidity and moisture.
- Aroma: The wood should release a pleasant aroma when heated, which adds to the overall sauna experience.
- Cost: The cost of the wood should be considered when choosing the wood for your sauna.
- Availability: The wood should be easily available in your area
- Sustainability: Wood should be a sustainable resource.
Cedar and redwood are traditional choices for sauna construction, known for their natural resistance to rot and decay, pleasant aroma when heated, and good insulation properties. Hemlock and spruce are also durable and have good insulation properties. Pine is an affordable option, but it is more likely to warp and shrink over time. Aspen is known for its smooth texture and consistent colour but it is not as common as other woods.
It is important to use only high-quality, dry, knot-free wood for sauna construction. It is also recommended to use a special sauna oil to protect the wood from water and humidity and to give it a pleasant aroma.
Conclusion
In conclusion, building a sauna at home is a great way to enjoy the benefits of sauna therapy in the privacy of your own home. When choosing wood for your sauna, it is important to consider factors such as insulation properties, durability, aroma, cost, availability, and sustainability. Cedar and redwood are traditional choices for sauna construction, known for their natural resistance to rot and decay, pleasant aroma when heated, and good insulation properties.
Hemlock and spruce are also durable and have good insulation properties. Pine is an affordable option, but it is more likely to warp and shrink over time. Aspen is known for its smooth texture and consistent colour but it is not as common as other woods.
It is important to use only high-quality, dry, knot-free wood for sauna construction and a special sauna oil to protect the wood from water and humidity and give it a pleasant aroma. Consult with a professional to ensure that the sauna is built safely and meets local building codes.
To widen your perspective and gives you guidance on this topic, check out timber used in steam rooms.