One of the main components of a sauna is wood. In fact, a sauna majorly composed of wood. With that said, wood greatly influences the entire sauna experience. It isn’t just a building material, it affects the scent, sound, warmth, that varies from wood to wood. In this article, we will tackle different aspects as to how wood affects the sauna experience.
Heat Behavior and Comfort
Different kinds of wood behave differently under heat. Wood like spruce, pine, and aspen are softwood that stay cool when in contact with skin. Thus, making them the ideal wood for sauna benches and walls. You don’t want to have a bench that conducts too much heat otherwise it will burn your skin. Softwoods stay cooler and reduce the risk of burns. Hardwood retains heat for longer periods so it might not be ideal for sitting in high temperatures.
Aroma and Atmosphere
Aside from texture and heat retention, scent is also a function that wood can provide. Usually aspen offers a clean, and neutral scent. For alder, it creates a slightly sweet, and calming aroma. Cedar, which is more commonly found in North America gives a strong, fragrant atmosphere. These different scents affect the overall mood of the sauna, therefore making experiences different from each kind.
Aesthetics and Identity
The vibes and the appearance of the wood impacts the experience as it sets the mood and overall feel and ambiance. For a clean and modern look, light wood such as aspen and alder are the go-to type of wood. For a bit more dark and luxury tone, thermo treated wood are best for the vibe. Traditional Finnish Saunas use logs that are darkened with soot (slightly burnt), for a more rustic, historical, and organic feel. Overall the wood gives character to the sauna, it may be modern, warm, or traditional.
Practicality, Safety, and Durability
For the wood to resist warping and cracking, thermo-treated wood (aspen, alder) are good for the job. Spruce and pine are better for the budget for being affordable and durable but needs proper maintenance. Its best to avoid resin-heavy wood to avoid hot resin droplets, or weak points. It is important to also use benches that are splinter free as well. Having good quality interior according to the users preference does not only ensure a great experience but also ensures the user’s safety.
When it comes to sauna safety and aesthetics, wood plays an important part that affects the different functions and designs of the sauna. From the temperature on your skin, the scent, the durability, structure and design, all these functions contribute to a better experience overall. Choose materials that suit to your preference on design, safety, and function. As important as wood is in sauna, your preferences will matter most in the end!
