We don't settle for "commodity" lumber. Our materials are sourced exclusively from sustainable, slow-growth forests where the density of the grain reflects decades of resilience. Each board in your sauna is hand-selected by our team, ensuring that only the most stable, clear, and aromatic heartwood makes it into your home.
Selecting the right wood for your sauna isn't just about aesthetics—it's about creating the perfect environment for relaxation, ensuring durability, and maximizing your investment.
The wood you choose affects heat retention and distribution, the overall aromatic experience during each session, overall sauna longevity, comfort, visual appeal and ultimately property value of your home.
Every sauna we build uses hand-picked, kiln dried material from sustainably managed forests.
Because these trees grow slowly, their growth rings are tightly packed. This density creates a superior "thermal mass." While commodity wood might warp or "weep" resin under the intense heat of a Finnish sauna, our slow-growth timber remains dimensionally stable, for a lifetime of performance.
A tighter grain doesn't just look better—it feels better. It stays cooler to the touch at high temperatures and resists the moisture absorption that leads to decay. We are building for the next fifty years, not the next five.
No different than home construction, cost of materials is a factor when choosing what wood you ultimately select to build your sauna. There are a number of ways to save on your sauna build, using cheap repurposed material is enticing, but can cost more over the life of the sauna.
One of the largest considerations when choosing any finish in a sauna is what it ultimately looks like. This is a space we expect you to use near daily for as long as you own the home, it should be something you love entering and using (like we do).
Regardless of which wood you ultimately choose, the expected lifespan of your sauna depends on the quality of the lumber and construction methods you use. Working with a trusted supplier that has proven their material and methods time and time again makes a world of difference.
Western Red Cedar has long been considered one of the top materials for sauna construction. Naturally rich in oils and resistant to moisture, decay, and temperature fluctuation, it performs exceptionally well in the demanding environment of a sauna. Cedar remains stable through repeated heating and cooling cycles, helping prevent warping, cracking, or excessive movement over time.
Beyond durability, it offers the unmistakable warm aroma that many people associate with an authentic sauna experience.Its beauty is equally timeless. With rich color variation, tight grain patterns, and a naturally refined appearance, Western Red Cedar creates a sauna that feels both luxurious and inviting.
The wood also stays comfortable to the touch even in high heat, making it ideal for benches, walls, and backrests. Whether used in a modern custom sauna or a more traditional Finnish-inspired build, Western Red Cedar delivers the perfect balance of performance, longevity, and atmosphere — making it one of the top choices for premium sauna construction.
-Superior rot resistence
-Unmistakable aroma not found in any other wood
-Excellent stability & longevity
-Premium aesthetic
Clear, Vertical Grained Western Red Cedar can be an investment. Another consideration is the wide color variation in the material itself due to the milling required in producing true vertically grained material.
Western Red Cedar is available in many grades, milling profiles, and thicknesses. Sauna Supply Company carries both Clear Vertical Grained Western Red Cedar as well as Select Tight Knot Western Red Cedar.
Clear Western Red Cedar stands as the gold standard in sauna construction. This knot-free wood delivers both exceptional performance and stunning visual appeal.
What It Looks Like: Rich reddish-brown hues with straight, uniform grain patterns. The clear grade means no knots or imperfections—just smooth, consistent beauty that ages gracefully to a distinguished silver-gray patina.
Aromatic Profile: Fresh, sweet cedar scent that's particularly pronounced when heated. Many describe it as forest-like and calming, enhancing the therapeutic sauna experience.
Nordic Spruce represents the heart of traditional sauna culture—over 90% of the world's saunas feature this time-tested wood, and for excellent reasons.
What It Looks Like: Bright, almost luminous appearance with colors ranging from creamy white to pale yellow. Features small, tight knots that create an authentic Nordic aesthetic. The light coloring makes even compact saunas feel spacious and airy.
Aromatic Profile: Subtle, fresh scent reminiscent of northern forests. Less pronounced than cedar but adds a clean, natural background note that many find perfectly balanced.
-Traditional authenticity—the preferred wood in Finland
-Makes small spaces feel larger due to light coloring
-Excellent dimensional stability when properly dried
-Small, tight knots won't pop or bleed resin
-More affordable than clear cedar options
-Superior light reflection enhances sauna lighting
-Knots can get slightly warmer than surrounding wood
-Less naturally rot-resistant than cedar
-Requires careful sourcing for proper grade
Pound for pound, Nordic White Spruce is one of the single best interior wood choices for use inside the sauna. In Finland, the birthplace of sauna, there are more saunas built using Nordic White Spruce than all other wood types combined.
We source our Nordic White Spruce directly from Finland, adding an unmistakable sense of authenticity and Finnish heritage to your sauna experience. Beyond its striking light appearance, Finnish-grown White Spruce offers a unique advantage rarely found elsewhere throughout the world — exceptionally small, tight living knots.
This dense, slow-growth characteristic helps minimize sap bleed in high-heat environments that your sauna will deliver, resulting in a cleaner, more refined sauna interior built for long-term performance and comfort.
For centuries, Nordic White Spruce has proven itself as a long lasting, aesthetically pleasing option for wall cladding of the sauna space. When heated, a subtle Scandavian forest smell is emitted.
Aspen is a premium sauna wood known for its clean, bright appearance and exceptionally smooth finish. Often selected as an upscale alternative to Nordic White Spruce,
Aspen offers a similarly light and modern aesthetic while featuring fewer visible knots for a more refined, contemporary look. Its soft texture stays comfortable against the skin even in high temperatures, making it an excellent choice for sauna benches and backrests.
Aspen also resists splintering and has minimal resin content, helping create a clean, comfortable sauna environment that feels both elegant and inviting.
-Excellent value proposition
-No resin or pitch to bleed through
-Smooth texture comfortable against skin
-Light color reflects heat, staying cooler
-Traditional authenticity
While not necessarily on the walls, Aspen does require regular cleaning of the benches in order to maintain it's nearly complete white appearance.
Standard Aspen remains one of the most popular choices in Finland, offering excellent value and time-tested performance.
What It Looks Like: Creamy white to pale yellow with subtle grain patterns. Clean, bright appearance creates an airy, spacious feeling.
Aromatic Profile: Virtually scentless, allowing the natural sauna aromas of steam and any added essences to predominate.
Thermo-Aspen is a premium sauna material created through an advanced thermal modification process that dramatically enhances the wood’s natural performance and stability.
The heat treatment reduces moisture content and increases durability, resulting in a sauna wood that is exceptionally stable in high-heat environments while remaining smooth and comfortable to the touch.
Visually, Thermo-Aspen features rich honey and light caramel tones with a clean, refined grain pattern that creates a warm, modern aesthetic throughout the sauna.One of the most unique qualities of Thermo-Aspen is its understated sensory experience.
Unlike aromatic softwoods, it is nearly odorless, offering only a subtle hint of sweet, baked wood — making it an ideal choice for those who prefer exceptionally clean sauna air. Its knot-free appearance, silky texture, and dimensional stability combine to create a luxurious, contemporary sauna interior built for both beauty and long-term performance.
-Thermal modification increases stability by 50%
-Virtually eliminates resin bleeding
-Exceptional resistance to moisture and decay
-Stays cooler to touch than untreated woods
-Consistent coloring
-Increased price point compared to Aspen or Nordic White Spruce
-Decreased availability compared to other wood types
Thermo-Aspen undergoes heat treatment that dramatically improves its natural properties, creating an ideal sauna wood.
What It Looks Like: Warm honey to light caramel tones with minimal grain pattern. The thermal modification creates consistent coloring throughout each board.
Aromatic Profile: Nearly odorless with just a hint of sweet, baked wood scent—perfect for pure air enthusiasts.
Black Taika by Finnleo is a bold reinterpretation of traditional sauna design, blending modern Scandinavian aesthetics with subtle homage to the darkened interiors of historic Finnish Savusaunas.
Black Taika features deep charcoal-to-black tones with rich visible grain texture, creating a dramatic atmosphere that feels both luxurious and timeless.
The dark finish evokes the appearance of smoke-kissed wood found in traditional smoke saunas of generations past, where years of heat and soot naturally aged the interior into a deep, moody patina.Beyond its visual impact, Black Taika represents the cutting edge of sauna wood technology.
The thermal modification process enhances the wood’s stability and performance in high-heat environments while producing a refined aromatic profile — offering a subtle sweetness with far less intensity than cedar. The result is a sophisticated sauna interior that honors Finnish sauna heritage while delivering a distinctly modern architectural feel.
-Thermal modification enhances stability and longevity
-Unique appearance makes a bold design statement
-Excellent heat distribution properties
-Low maintenanceResistant to moisture and temperature fluctuations
-Premium pricing reflects specialized treatment process
-May not suit traditional or rustic design preferences
Finnleo’s Black Taika represents the cutting edge of sauna wood technology—thermally modified spruce with a striking charcoal finish.
What It Looks Like: Deep charcoal to black coloring with visible wood grain texture. Creates a dramatic, sophisticated atmosphere unlike any traditional sauna wood.
Aromatic Profile: Subtle, slightly sweet scent from the thermal modification process. Much milder than cedar but more complex than hemlock.
Canadian Hemlock has become an increasingly popular choice for modern sauna construction thanks to its clean appearance, stability, and exceptionally neutral environment.
Featuring light cream to pale brown tones with a subtle, straight grain pattern, Hemlock creates a bright, contemporary aesthetic that pairs beautifully with modern architecture and minimalist sauna design. Its uniform appearance offers a refined, consistent finish with very little visual distraction, making the space feel open, calm, and inviting.
One of Hemlock’s greatest advantages is its nearly odorless nature when heated. Unlike more aromatic woods, Canadian Hemlock provides a pure, neutral sauna atmosphere that is ideal for those sensitive to strong scents or for users who prefer to customize the experience with their own essential oils and aromatherapy. Smooth to the touch and comfortable in high heat, Hemlock delivers a clean, sophisticated sauna environment focused entirely on relaxation and wellness.
-Hypoallergenic—perfect for sensitive individuals
-Smooth, splinter-resistant surface
-Excellent dimensional stability
Compared to Cedar, it is less rot resistant. Widely used in commercial settings, this wood type does require regular maintenance in order to maintain it's whitish appearance.
Clear Canadian Hemlock has gained popularity as an excellent alternative for those sensitive to aromatic woods or preferring a neutral sauna environment.
What It Looks Like: Light cream to pale brown coloring with subtle, straight grain. The uniform appearance creates a clean, contemporary look that complements modern home design.
Aromatic Profile: Virtually odorless when heated, making it ideal for those who prefer to add their own essential oils or enjoy a scent-free experience.
Alder has long been a respected sauna material in Finland, valued for its balance of beauty, comfort, and durability. Featuring warm light tan to reddish-brown tones with subtle grain movement, Alder creates a rich, inviting atmosphere that feels both traditional and refined. Its naturally smooth surface and gentle warmth make it especially well-suited for sauna benches, where comfort and tactile feel matter most during long sauna sessions.
When heated, Alder produces a mild, slightly sweet aroma often compared to honey — adding a soft layer of warmth to the sauna experience without overwhelming the space.
Unlike softer sauna woods, Alder is naturally harder and denser, contributing to its durability and premium feel. That same hardness, however, also makes it more difficult to mill and work with during construction, which is one reason it is often reserved for higher-end sauna interiors and custom bench work. The result is a sophisticated sauna material that blends Finnish tradition with long-lasting performance.
-Exceptional thermal properties—stays very cool to touch
-Natural water resistance
-Smooth, silky texture
-Less commonly available than other options
-Color may darken slightly with age
-Harder wood that may crack easier and is a little more challenging to build with than other softer wood types
Often overlooked, Alder offers unique properties that make it an excellent choice for discerning sauna enthusiasts.
What It Looks Like: Light tan to reddish-brown with subtle grain patterns. Often features interesting color variations that add character without being distracting.
Aromatic Profile: Mild, slightly sweet scent when heated—often described as honey-like. Never overpowering but adds pleasant background notes.
Selecting the right wood for your sauna isn't just about aesthetics—it's about creating the perfect environment for relaxation, ensuring durability, and maximizing your investment.
The wood you choose affects heat retention and distribution, the overall aromatic experience during each session, overall sauna longevity, comfort, visual appeal and ultimately property value of your home.
Every sauna we build uses hand-picked, kiln dried material from sustainably managed forests.
Knotty Western Red Cedar offers the same excellent performance as clear cedar with added visual character at a more accessible price point.
What It Looks Like: Warm reddish-brown tones featuring distinctive knots and grain variations. These natural characteristics create a cozy, cabin-like atmosphere that many find more inviting than uniform clear wood.
Aromatic Profile: Same pleasant cedar fragrance as clear cedar, perhaps slightly more complex due to the knots releasing additional oils.
Eastern White Cedar offers excellent value with strong performance characteristics, particularly popular in the Great Lakes region.
What It Looks Like: Lighter than Western Red Cedar with colors ranging from pale yellow to light brown. Features prominent knots and varied grain patterns creating rustic charm.
Aromatic Profile: Milder cedar scent than Western Red Cedar—fresh and clean without being overpowering.
*Only available during certain seasons.
Often overlooked, Alder offers unique properties that make it an excellent choice for discerning sauna enthusiasts.
What It Looks Like: Light tan to reddish-brown with subtle grain patterns. Often features interesting color variations that add character without being distracting.
Aromatic Profile: Mild, slightly sweet scent when heated—often described as honey-like. Never overpowering but adds pleasant background notes.
Calculating Wood in Sauna:
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.
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.
When it comes to sauna wood, experience matters. As a Finnish-owned company with generations of sauna tradition behind us, we don’t just sell wood—we share our heritage.
Most of us grew up with saunas, built them with their families, and understand how each wood performs not from spec sheets, but from decades of real-world experience.
Sauna-Specific Selection: Every board in our inventory is chosen specifically for sauna use. We reject lumber with excessive knots, improper grain, or inadequate drying. Our materials are kiln-dried to optimal moisture content and stored in climate-controlled facilities to ensure stability.
Expert Guidance: Can’t decide between Nordic Spruce and Cedar? Wondering if Thermo-Aspen is worth the investment? Our team provides honest, experience-based recommendations tailored to your specific project, climate, and budget. We’ve built hundreds of saunas—we know what works.
See, Touch, and Experience: Our Minnesota showroom isn’t just a display—it’s a working showcase. See every wood type installed in actual saunas. Feel the difference between clear and knotty grades. Take a complimentary sauna session to experience how different woods perform at temperature. Photos can’t capture the full sensory experience of quality sauna wood.
Complete Solutions: Whether you’re planning a $50,000 custom outdoor sauna or selecting materials for a DIY basement project, we have you covered:
Not ready to visit? We’ll ship wood samples directly to you. Compare colors, feel textures, and even test aromatics by warming samples with a hair dryer. It’s the next best thing to visiting our showroom.
Don’t leave your sauna wood selection to chance. Whether you’re ready to start building or just beginning to explore options, we’re here to help. Our goal isn’t just to sell you wood—it’s to ensure you create a sauna you’ll love for decades.
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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.
Experience the difference quality makes at our Cokato showroom, where you can see, touch, and even try our saunas before making your decision. Our showroom features models of custom indoor, custom outdoor and modular saunas, allowing you to compare construction quality, experience different wood types firsthand, and feel the authentic heat firsthand. Whether you’re drawn to the aromatic Western Red Cedar, the clean look of Canadian Hemlock, or the traditional Nordic Spruce (and more), seeing and smelling these woods in person makes all the difference.
Our sauna experts are here to answer your questions, explain the differences between modular and custom construction, and help you visualize how a sauna would fit into your lifestyle and property. Many customers tell us that visiting the showroom transformed their understanding of what they wanted—there’s simply no substitute for experiencing seeing and sitting in a sauna before you buy.
Our sauna showroom is located at 500 Cokato St W in Cokato, Minnesota. View our current business hours on Google Business Profile here or call 612.505.9700 to schedule an appointment.
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