The difference between a good sauna and a great one often comes down to the details that make every session more comfortable.
You’ve invested in a quality sauna, picked the perfect heater, and chosen beautiful wood for your benches. But here’s what many sauna builders won’t tell you: without proper backrests, you’re missing out on the full relaxation experience your sauna should deliver.
Quality backrests change everything. They create an air gap between you and the wall, keeping your back comfortable while those wall knots can’t burn you (if you’re using a knotty wood species on the walls). Plus, when a backrest eventually needs replacing after years of use, you’re swapping out a simple component—not tearing apart your entire wall which can be very costly and time-consuming.
We only use premium clear wood without knots for our backrests. No rough spots, no resin pockets that get too hot, no splinters. Just smooth, comfortable support that feels as good in year ten as it did on day one.
Whether you have a compact 4×4 sauna or a spacious 8×10 room, all of our backrests are custom-built for your sauna to ensure they fit.
The spacing creates ideal airflow between you and the wall. No more hot spots from wall knots, no more uncomfortable pressure points.
Same construction standards as our custom saunas. These handle daily heat and moisture without warping or loosening.
Wipe them down occasionally—that’s it. Much easier than trying to clean T&G walls behind benches. When they eventually wear out (we’re talking 10+ years), replacement takes 30 minutes.
Backrests take the wear and tear instead of your T&G walls. Easier to clean, easier to replace when needed, and your walls stay pristine.
All models feature clear, knot-free wood and commercial-grade construction.
The 2-bar backrest comes standard in all our custom indoor and outdoor saunas.
The 3-bar wide backrest features wide top and bottom boards with a thin center piece. Available as an upgrade.
The 3-bar wide backrest features wide top and bottom boards with a thin, dark center piece. Available as an upgrade.
While your sauna walls create the atmosphere, your benches and backrests are where skin meets wood. This direct contact demands special consideration—the wrong choice can mean uncomfortable hot spots, splinters, or even burns. That’s why we exclusively use clear (knot-free) wood species for all surfaces you’ll touch, unless you specifically request utility grades to manage costs.
The Science Behind Our Choice: Knots in wood contain concentrated resin that conducts heat differently than the surrounding wood. At sauna temperatures, these knots can become uncomfortably hot—even burning to the touch. Clear wood ensures uniform heat distribution and maximum comfort.
The luxury choice for benching. Western Red Cedar benches stay remarkably cool even at high temperatures, thanks to cedar’s unique cellular structure.
The smooth, splinter-free surface feels silky against skin, while natural oils provide antimicrobial properties. Perfect for those who want the absolute best.
For those preferring neutral aesthetics and no aroma. Hemlock benches offer consistent performance with a modern look.
The fine grain ensures comfort, while the light color keeps surfaces cooler. Ideal for contemporary saunas or those with sensitivities.
Utility Hemlock is a popular way to get the clean, light look of Hemlock while reducing the cost of material.
Contains some knots and minor imperfections but remains functional for benching. We build all of our benches with minimal knots on high-contact areas.
Aspen’s tight grain and absence of resin make it ideal for skin contact.
It maintains a comfortable temperature, resists moisture absorption, and develops a beautiful patina over time. The bright color also helps benches stay cooler by reflecting heat.
Abachi is similar to Aspen in color and tone and is ideal for sauna benching and backrest material.
It maintains a comfortable temperature, resists moisture absorption, and develops a beautiful patina over time.
An exceptional yet underutilized option. Alder’s natural properties make it one of the coolest-to-touch woods available.
The smooth texture feels luxurious, and its subtle honey scent adds to the experience without overwhelming. Excellent choice for those seeking something unique.
Knots in backrest wood create problems in saunas:
By using only clear, knot-free wood on our backrests, we eliminate these issues. Yes, it costs more. But the comfort difference—especially if your walls have knotty T&G—is immediate and dramatic.
We build saunas the way they should be built—with Finnish expertise and Minnesota craftsmanship. Our team doesn’t just sell saunas; we use them daily, understand their construction inside and out, and have helped over 250 families create their perfect sauna experience—whether through a fully custom done-for-you sauna, DIY sauna kit or a modular system.
Every sauna we build reflects decades of combined experience in woodworking, construction, and traditional sauna design. Our builders handle projects from compact home saunas to luxury custom installations, ensuring precise construction and authentic performance every time.
Before you invest, visit our showroom to experience authentic sauna heat. Feel the difference quality materials and proper construction make. Talk with specialists who understand löyly, ventilation, and the details that separate a great sauna from an expensive disappointment.
Our 50+ five-star reviews on Google come from customers who’ve experienced the difference professional guidance makes—from initial design through your first sauna session.
From first-time buyers navigating their options to Finnish families honoring tradition, our customers tell it best. Read what verified reviewers say about working with us. Read 50+ 5 star customer reviews on Google here.
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Absolutely. This is one of the main reasons people add backrests. Those knots can get uncomfortably hot—our clear wood backrests keep your back away from them completely.
If you can use a drill, you can install these. Takes about 30 minutes. We include everything you need except basic tools.
Much easier than cleaning T&G walls. Just wipe down occasionally with a damp cloth. The smooth, clear wood doesn’t trap dirt or moisture.
Sanding the backrests down annually is an option too, though not required.
If you opt to seal your interior sauna wood, choose a food and wood-grade cleaner like parafin oil.
With normal use, expect 10 years. And when that time comes, it’s a simple 30-minute swap—not a wall renovation.
Give us a call at 612.505.9700 or use our contact form to get your questions answered.
Experience the difference quality makes at our Cokato sauna showroom, where you can see, touch, and even try our saunas before deciding.
Explore custom indoor, custom outdoor, and modular models to compare construction, feel the authentic heat, and experience different wood types—whether it’s the aromatic Western Red Cedar, clear Canadian Hemlock, traditional Nordic Spruce, or more.
Our sauna specialists are here to answer questions, explain the differences between modular and custom builds, and help you visualize how a sauna fits into your space and lifestyle. Many customers tell us their showroom visit completely changed their understanding of what they wanted—there’s no substitute for seeing and sitting in a sauna before you buy.
Visit us at 500 Cokato St W, Cokato, Minnesota. Our standard business hours are 8AM-5PM CST Monday-Friday. View our Google Business Profile for updated and holiday hours, or call 612.505.9700 to schedule an appointment.
Submit the form to get a quote, ask questions, or receive expert guidance from one of our sauna specialists.
