Ten Types of Wood We Use for Saunas

5 minute read

Every sauna design is different – some are focused on practicality while others offer more decorative appeal. Whatever choices you make for your sauna, there are certain universal principles, like using woods that don’t overheat or secrete resin for the benches and selecting interior materials that are resistant to heat and moisture.

We also use thermal-modification of timber to enhance its durability, moisture resistance, and stability. Our highly specialized process also transforms the look and feel of this natural building material to add character to your sauna. Some woods retain their cozy and warm light brown tones, while others – like magnolia, radiata pine, and ash – darken for an elegant finish. This process in completely chemical-free. Wood is being modified with just heat and steam.

Here’s a guide to the ten most popular woods we provide for use in the sauna.

Common aspen (Populus tremula)

Sauna by Thermory

Common aspen is a deciduous tree in the willow family that grows around Europe and Asia, as well as northern Africa. It makes an ideal material for sauna benches because it doesn’t secrete resin, create splinters, or get too hot. Its characteristic light tone and smooth texture also give it an attractive look and make it perfect for painting, so it can be used for interior and exterior walls too. We offer a number of interior sauna elements in both natural and thermally modified aspen.

Western red cedar (Thuja plicata)

The western red cedar, an evergreen coniferous tree in the cypress family that is also known as Pacific red cedar, is perfect for sauna benches and interiors because it doesn’t secrete resin or overheat, and it is also water repellent. Growing primarily in the western part of North America, Red cedar is known for its pleasantly rich aroma and its exquisite reddish color with a range of natural shades, which also make it an attractive option for exterior paneling.

Canadian Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)

The wood of Tsuga canadensis, also known as Canadian hemlock or eastern hemlock, is soft, with a coarse grain and a light buff color making it well suited to exterior walls. As well as being durable and knot-free, wood from this coniferous North American tree of the pine family is ideal for use inside saunas because it doesn’t warp and it radiates heat evenly. Canadian hemlock also produces a delicate, relaxing aroma.

Common alder or black alder (Alnus glutinosa)

Alder Sauna by Thermory

Thanks to its reddish tone and pleasant texture, wood from the common alder, also known as black alder, is popular as a finishing material in saunas. Growing around Europe, southwestern Asia and northern Africa, this perennial deciduous tree from the birch family produces a hardy, water-repellent wood that doesn’t overheat. We use alder to produce a variety of interior sauna materials and products, with thermally modified and brushed finishes available.

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)

Scots pine is a coniferous tree in the pine family, and in saunas it is most commonly used for outer walls. It is the most widespread species of pine, grown across Europe and Asia. The wood responds well to thermal modification to produce an exclusive look, and we additionally offer sauna materials in natural, untreated Scots pine. The natural pattern of the timber can be highlighted using a special brushing technique.

Norway Spruce (Picea abies)

The wood of the Norway spruce, an evergreen coniferous tree of the pine family also known as European spruce, is almost white, with a light yellowish undertone – it is one of the lightest colored coniferous woods. Grown in northern, central, and eastern Europe, Spruce is often used as timber, and for saunas it is generally preferred for exterior walls. We can also brush the wood to further enhance its attractive natural pattern.

American ash or white ash (Fraxinus americana)

American ash is a perennial deciduous tree in the olive family that grows in North America. It produces a wood that is valuable, durable, strong, and decorative, with an attractive texture that beautifully complements exterior sauna walls. Our thermally modified ash takes on a dark brown color, giving an exclusive look, and it can be brushed to further highlight its distinctive pattern.

Radiata pine (Pinus radiata)

Thermory Sauna thermo-radiata pine wall panels and benches, Estonia, photo Elvo Jakobson

The radiata pine is a coniferous tree of the pine family. Its rapid growth and excellent quality make it among the most cultivated coniferous species in many parts of the world. With no exposed knots, the wood doesn’t secrete resin, splinter, or overheat, making it great for sauna benches. Wide boards, brushing to bring out the natural pattern, and the darker hue from thermal modification offer a touch of luxury for interior and exterior paneling too.

Poplar (Populus)

Poplar, part of the willow family, is naturally pale yellow in color, with a smooth texture. Common in the Northern Hemisphere, it belongs to the same genus as aspen (Populus tremula), and it’s similarly ideal for sauna benches and interiors – the wood has no exposed knots and it doesn’t splinter, secrete resin, or overheat. The warm look from thermal modification and the wide boards make for a cozy, luxurious finish that also suits exterior walls.

Magnolia (Liriodendron tulipifera)

Magnolia Sauna by Thermory

Magnolia, also known as the tulip tree, belongs to the magnolia family and has a creamy, golden hue with darker areas, and a characteristic pattern with similarities to ash and radiata pine. Along with its low density, this makes it perfect for sauna benches, interiors, and exterior paneling. Wide boards and the dark shade achieved by thermal modification give this wood, which can be found in parts of North America, a luxurious, exclusive finish.

Related posts

Thermory Benchmark thermo-spruce and thermo-pine cladding

Discover five cozy forest cabins made with wood from Thermory

Sometimes, the best place to unwind and get away from it all is a secluded forest cabin in breathtaking surroundings. Find inspiration for your next...

Thermory Drift cladding

Thermory Design Awards: winning projects

Thermory Design Awards is part of Thermory 25 celebrations for acknowledging and rewarding our...

Alder sauna by Thermory

The sauna – what’s the fuss all about?

Saunas can be found all over the world, with a strong tradition going back many centuries (or perhaps even longer) and the word itself is universal in most...

Thermory Sauna thermo-aspen wall panels STEP and thermo-radiata benches, private house in Estonia, photo Elvo Jakobson

Take advantage of short wall panels to create a unique sauna

Have you ever noticed that most saunas look pretty similar? You can make yours stand out with Thermory’s unique premium-class sauna timber. One inventive...

The positive impact of wood on health and well-being

Wood is a sustainable and versatile material with an almost limitless range of uses, including construction, tools, paper and fuel to name just a few. But...

Sourcing: not every tree makes the grade

Ensuring the highest quality with the smallest possible ecological footprint and responsible use of resources are all principles that we consider important...

Thermory Sauna thermo-aspen wall panels STS4, Photo Elvo Jakobson

Hit and not miss with new sauna products, tips and trends

For centuries, the sauna has been a place to relax and unwind, both physically and mentally. By choosing modern, trendy materials to build your sauna, you...

Thermory Benchmark thermo-ash decking and cladding, Maidla Nature Resort in Estonia

Biophilic design – for what and whom?

A trend is taking root in the worlds of architecture and interior design based on using natural materials and living plants to better...

Thermory Sauna thermo-aspen VIRE wall panels and ceiling, photo Elvo Jakobson

Useful tips for sauna care and maintenance

All wooden surfaces in your sauna must be regularly cleaned and maintained to keep them looking fresh for many years. How should you...

Kodiak by Thermory

Haptic properties of wood

The wood-paneled interiors so common to mid-century homes have become sought after again, as many seek the warm, cozy feeling that the natural material...

Thermory Sauna thermo-radiata pine wall panels and benches, Estonia, photo Elvo Jakobson

Sauna Design: The Ultimate Guide

Building a home sauna is an exciting process, and the final result will give you and your loved ones hours of joy for years to come....

Sauna by Thermory

What is the best temperature to use for the sauna?

Whether you’re a sauna newbie or a seasoned afficionado, you might have wondered what the optimum temperature is for a good steam. As you’ll see though,...

Thermory Benchmark thermo-ash decking and cladding, Maidla Nature Resort in Estonia

Wood in Architecture: Trends for 2022

In 2022, the global megatrend of sustainable architecture and building practices will continue. Architecture trends influence the choice of materials both...

Projects related to this post

Order samples