Do you need special wood for a sauna?

It’s important to find a soft wood that can soak up steam and deal with heat absorption without any type of long-term damage. Eucalyptus, basswood, cedar and even thermo-spruce are some of the best types of soft wood for long-lasting saunas.

What kind of wood do you use to frame a sauna?

The most popular choices are cedar saunas. Cedar planks have a beautiful look, a pleasant smell and remain cool enough to sit on comfortably. They’re also anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. Other top sauna wood choices include poplar, basswood and hemlock.

Can you build a brick sauna?

Construct your hearth using concrete cubes for the base, bricks for the walls, and scrap metal to place across the walls, as well as secure the bricks at the top. (Use masonry cement to hold it all together.) Before laying the top bricks, place your sauna heater in front of the hearth. Correct measurements are crucial.

Is pine OK for a sauna?

First and foremost, when constructing a sauna, choose a softwood as it will better absorb heat released from steam. Additionally, softwood will not be too hot to the touch. Hardwoods, on the other hand, heat up quickly. Ideal varieties of softwoods are spruce, pine and cedar.

Are cedar saunas toxic?

4 Cedar, spruce, pine, basswood, fir, teak, and hemlock wood contain and emit toxic phenols that enter the body by skin contact, exposure, and inhalation.

How thick do sauna walls need to 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”.

Does a sauna need a vent?

Sauna ventilation is not required for safety reasons, but it makes the sauna experience more comfortable. And improper or insufficient air flow can impede heater operation. Sauna venting is not like venting for a shower.

What can I use for sauna walls?

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.