Wood sauna walls are heat resistant, specifically softwood varieties, and do not bend, warp or splinter under high temperatures As a result, sauna bathers do not burn their skin when they lean against the wooden walls Wood is also strong and durable so it does not break or crack like tile, porcelain or glass
Why are saunas made of cedar?
Cedar has been traditionally used as a sauna wood because of its ability to withstand wet conditions and repel infestation by insects A modern far infrared sauna, which does not use steam, has no need for Cedar Cedar’s ability to repel infestation by insects comes from the odor it emits
What is the best material for saunas?
Western Red Cedar is our preferred wood of choice for sauna Colorful in appearance with various hues, cedar is stable, but soft and resists warping under heat and humidity changes prevalent in a sauna Cedar also has a low density making it a good insulator, quick to heat and quick to cool down
Can you build a sauna out of any wood?
Best Wood for a Home Sauna Saunas can reach temperatures of 150 degrees or more When you build a sauna, you need a softwood that is flexible and not easily damaged by moisture or warped by heat The most popular choices are cedar saunas Other top sauna wood choices include poplar, basswood and hemlock
Does a sauna need to be wood?
Similarly, saunas need a wood that remains comfortable to touch even at high heats Hard woods, like oak or teak, will often overheat when exposed to high temperatures for two long hence why we do not recommend them
Are Cedar saunas toxic?
When a sauna made of cedar or redwood is turned on, these naturally occurring oils within the wood become heated and gas off a substance called cedrine Cedrine attacks the central nervous system of insects and kills them In some cases, it can also cause vomiting and convulsions in humans
What timber is used in a sauna?
Western Red Cedar has been used in Saunas and Steam Baths for hundreds of years, because of its ability to withstand temperature changes and moisture Cedar has wonderful aromatic features, as well as being durable, non-toxic and an excellent thermal insulator
Can pine wood be used for sauna?
First and foremost, when constructing a sauna, choose a softwood as it will better absorb heat released from steam Ideal varieties of softwoods are spruce, pine and cedar Spruce is a light wood, mostly found in Nordic regions, such as Finland It’s both practical and cost effective
Are wood burning saunas good?
The soul-warming scent of a wood fire only adds to the other relaxing benefits of a sauna Since wood burning stoves don’t run on electricity, there’s no need to have an electrician wire your sauna space for 220 volts, but there is a trade-off: you need to install a chimney or other type of vent
Can Plywood be used in a sauna?
Veneered plywood suitable for use in the interior decoration of Saunas The board consists of Fuma cores with sliced cut face veneers suitable for this application
What are Finnish saunas made of?
Finnish vihta (vasta in Eastern Finland), made of birch It is used in traditional sauna-bathing for massage and stimulation of the skin
What is the difference between a sauna and a steam room?
The big difference is in the type of heat that they provide A sauna uses dry heat, usually from hot rocks or a closed stove Steam rooms are heated by a generator filled with boiling water The key to the steam room’s unique health benefits is the humidity
What are sauna walls made of?
Usually, the seating boards are built from either Abachi or Cedar woods Walls are most often covered with Nordic White Spruce, Hemlock, or Cedar wood types
Is Oak good for sauna?
Soft woods such as cedar are considered the best source of wood for a sauna however a hard wood like oak which a dense lumber will hold the heat and can become so hot that it will burn skin on contact Stay away from Sappy woods! Sappy woods such as Pine are a definite NO when it comes to sauna rooms
What are the benefits of a sauna?
Facilities offering sauna bathing often claim health benefits that include detoxification, increased metabolism, weight loss, increased blood circulation, pain reduction, antiaging, skin rejuvenation, improved cardiovascular function, improved immune function, improved sleep, stress management, and relaxation
Is Nordic spruce wood good for saunas?
Nordic Spruce sauna wood paneling is a great choice for any residential or commercial sauna The quality rustic look (with small tight knots) is very traditional and beautiful with its unique wood grain Nordic Spruce sauna wood is popular for use in Finland and European traditional saunas
Can I use poplar in a sauna?
Poplar has the least wood odor of any wood used to build saunas To the average person, poplar means a much more comfortable sauna The strong wood odors of cedar and other woods do not dissipate much with time and end up being a constant distraction when you are looking for “the zone” relaxing in your sauna
Which is better for a sauna cedar or hemlock?
Cedar is more common in sauna construction than hemlock It is pliable and strong, and, more than likely, it will last longer than hemlock Cedar is smooth, so it will make sitting on a sauna’s bench more comfortable Hemlock is a stronger wood than cedar, and it resists decay
Should a sauna be insulated?
Insulation of the sauna room is important, with the ceiling being the most critical location to insulate well Regular fiber-glass insulation plus an aluminum foil vapor barrier should be used
How long do saunas last?
Your sauna’s heater longevity depends on the type of heater, how often it’s used, and if your water is unusually salty or acidic, which may accelerate deterioration In general, a sauna heater should last anywhere from 5 to 20 years
How thick should sauna walls be?
Thickness is one of the most important aspects of your new outdoor sauna because the thickness of the wall logs means greater insulation Most wall thicknesses are 1-3/8” to 1-1/2” and 1-5/8”
Is Spruce good for saunas?
The most usually recommended panelling for saunas are made from Scandinavian or Canadian spruce, aspen or cedar, because they do not have much resin Sauna ceilings, walls and floors must be made from wood and be moisture resistant
What is hemlock wood?
Lumber also referred to as timber is a collection of harvested wood These woods then undergo manufacture to form boards and planks Hemlock Lumber is a type of lumber that is very useful for its wood pulp These are some of the most important types of lumbers