Building a sauna is an exciting project that combines craftsmanship, aesthetics, and functionality. One of the most critical decisions you’ll make is choosing the right wood. The ideal sauna wood must withstand high heat, humidity, and frequent temperature changes while providing a comfortable, visually appealing environment.
In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best wood options for saunas, including the ever-popular Western Red Cedar and other excellent choices like thermally modified Pine, Ash, and tropical hardwoods.
Western Red Cedar: The Gold Standard for Saunas
Western Red Cedar is one of the most common and beloved woods used in sauna construction, and for good reason. Its natural beauty, pleasant aroma, and excellent performance in high-heat, high-humidity environments make it a top choice.
Cedar’s natural oils provide resistance to moisture, decay, and insects, ensuring durability in the demanding sauna environment. However, not all cedar is created equal—there are two primary grades to consider: Clear Vertical Grain (CVG) and Appearance Grade.
Clear Vertical Grain (CVG) Cedar
- Characteristics: CVG Cedar is the premium option. It’s knot-free and features a vertical grain pattern, which enhances its stability and durability. The absence of knots gives it a sleek, uniform appearance that’s highly sought after for high-end saunas.
- Advantages: Its knot-free nature eliminates the risk of sap leakage, making it ideal for all sauna surfaces, especially ceilings. CVG Cedar’s vertical grain also minimizes warping and cracking over time, ensuring a long-lasting, low-maintenance sauna.
- Drawbacks: The premium quality comes with a premium price, making CVG Cedar one of the more expensive options.
Appearance Grade Cedar
- Characteristics: Appearance Grade Cedar contains knots, giving it a more rustic, natural look. It’s more affordable than CVG, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious builders.
- Advantages: The rustic aesthetic appeals to those who prefer a traditional, cozy sauna vibe. It’s still highly durable and moisture-resistant, performing well in sauna conditions.
- Drawbacks: The knots can sometimes leak sticky sap when heated, which some sauna owners report as a minor nuisance. This is can be problematic on ceilings, where dripping sap can land on users. To mitigate this, many builders use CVG Cedar for ceilings and reserve Appearance Grade for walls, where sap is less of an issue. Fortunately, sap leakage is typically short-lived, diminishing after the sauna is heated a few times. Sap leakage is more common in cheaper species like pine and fir that some people use to save money on their saunas.
Pro Tip: If you love the look of Appearance Grade Cedar but want to avoid sap issues, consider using it for walls and benches, and opt for CVG Cedar or another knot-free wood for the ceiling.
That being said below shows a picture of a sauna being constructed with Appearance Grade Cedar on the ceiling. Cedar would be less prone to leaking sap opposed to cheaper species of wood like Pine and Fir. We have plenty of customers that still use Appearance Grade Cedar for their saunas.
Other Excellent Wood Options for Saunas
While Western Red Cedar is a top contender, several other wood species are well-suited for sauna construction. These include thermally modified woods like Pine and Ash, as well as tropical hardwoods known for their durability and exotic appeal.
Thermally Modified Pine
- Characteristics: Thermally modified Pine undergoes a heat-treatment process that enhances its resistance to moisture, decay, and dimensional changes. This makes it an excellent choice for saunas.
- Advantages: It’s more affordable than Cedar or tropical hardwoods, yet still performs well in high-heat and humid conditions. The thermal modification process also gives Pine a rich, warm tone that enhances the sauna’s ambiance.
- Drawbacks: While durable, it may not have the same natural aroma or aesthetic appeal as Cedar or tropical hardwoods.
Thermally Modified Ash
- Characteristics: Like Pine, thermally modified Ash is treated to improve its stability and resistance to moisture. It has a light, clean appearance with a subtle grain pattern.
- Advantages: Ash is strong, durable, and less prone to warping than untreated woods. Its light color creates a bright, airy sauna interior, which some prefer over darker woods.
- Drawbacks: It’s slightly more expensive than thermally modified Pine and may lack the distinctive scent of Cedar.
Tropical Hardwoods
Tropical hardwoods like Teak, Ipe, Cumaru, Tigerwood, Garapa, Brazilian Redwood, and Mahogany are gaining popularity in sauna construction due to their exceptional durability and striking aesthetics. These woods are naturally resistant to moisture, insects, and decay, making them ideal for the harsh sauna environment.
- Teak: Known for its golden-brown hue and tight grain, Teak is incredibly durable and resistant to moisture. Its high oil content makes it low-maintenance, but it comes with a high price tag.
- Ipe: This dense, dark hardwood is one of the toughest woods available. Its rich, reddish-brown color adds a luxurious feel, though it’s very expensive and heavy.
- Cumaru: Often called Brazilian Teak, Cumaru has a warm, reddish-brown tone and excellent durability. It’s slightly more affordable than Teak or Ipe but still a premium option.
- Tigerwood: With its dramatic, striped grain pattern, Tigerwood adds a bold, exotic look to saunas. It’s highly durable but may require more maintenance to preserve its vibrant color.
- Garapa: This golden-hued hardwood is lighter in color than other tropical woods, offering a bright, inviting aesthetic. It’s durable and more affordable than Teak or Ipe.
- Brazilian Redwood: Known for its deep red tones, Brazilian Redwood is both beautiful and resilient. It’s a great choice for those seeking a rich, warm sauna interior.
- Mahogany: Mahogany’s reddish-brown color and fine grain make it a luxurious choice. It’s durable but may require occasional maintenance to protect its finish in a sauna.
Advantages of Tropical Hardwoods: These woods are incredibly durable, resistant to moisture, and visually stunning. Their unique colors and grain patterns can elevate the sauna’s aesthetic to a spa-like level. Drawbacks: Tropical hardwoods are expensive, and some species (like Ipe or Tigerwood) can be heavy and difficult to work with. Additionally, sourcing sustainable, ethically harvested tropical hardwoods is crucial to minimize environmental impact.
Choosing the Right Wood for Your Sauna
When selecting wood for your sauna, consider the following factors:
- Budget: If you’re working with a limited budget, Appearance Grade Cedar or thermally modified Pine are cost-effective options. For a premium sauna, invest in CVG Cedar or tropical hardwoods.
- Aesthetic Preferences: Do you prefer a sleek, modern look (CVG Cedar, thermally modified Ash) or a rustic, natural vibe (Appearance Grade Cedar, Tigerwood)? Choose a wood that aligns with your vision.
- Maintenance: Knot-free woods like CVG Cedar and Teak require less maintenance due to their stability and lack of sap. Appearance Grade Cedar may need occasional cleaning to manage sap.
- Ceiling vs. Walls: To avoid sap drips, use CVG Cedar or a knot-free tropical hardwood for the ceiling. Appearance Grade Cedar or thermally modified woods work well for walls and benches.
- Sustainability: Opt for woods from responsibly managed forests. Certifications like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) ensure your wood is sustainably sourced.
Pro Tip: When building something like a sauna that see extremes temperature and humidity changes in a short time frame it’s advised to use narrower and thicker lumber. Narrower and thicker boards like 5/4 x 4 are less likely to cup, twist and warp compared to a thinner wider board like a 1 x 6.
Final Thoughts
Building a sauna is a rewarding endeavor, and choosing the right wood is key to creating a durable, beautiful, and functional space. Western Red Cedar, particularly CVG for ceilings and Appearance Grade for walls, remains a top choice for its performance and versatility. Thermally modified Pine and Ash offer affordable, reliable alternatives, while tropical hardwoods like Teak, Ipe, and Mahogany bring unmatched durability and exotic flair.
No matter which wood you choose, prioritize quality and suitability for the sauna’s unique environment. With the right materials, your sauna will be a relaxing retreat for years to come.
Ready to start your sauna project? Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below, and let us know which wood you’re leaning toward for your dream sauna!