Best Wood for a Sauna
Sauna wood has a unique requirement: it must stay cool enough to sit on at 180°F. That means low density and low thermal conductivity, plus no resin pockets that would bleed or burn skin, and enough decay resistance to handle repeated soaking and drying.
Our Top 6 Picks
1Western Red Cedar
Thuja plicata
The classic sauna wood — low density so it stays cool, aromatic, and highly rot resistant.
2Alaskan Yellow Cedar
Cupressus nootkatensis
Pale, dense enough to wear well, and it resists the humidity cycling superbly.
3Obeche
Triplochiton scleroxylon
Very low density and almost no heat retention — the European standard for sauna benches.
4Norway Spruce
Picea abies
The traditional Nordic sauna paneling wood: light, low resin, and inexpensive.
5Eastern White Pine
Pinus strobus
Affordable and stable with low density; select knot-free stock to avoid resin bleed.
6Basswood
Tilia americana
Non-aromatic and very low density — the top choice for anyone sensitive to cedar scent.
What to Look For
- Low density is the key spec — dense woods store heat and become too hot to touch.
- Avoid resinous softwoods like most pines and firs; heat draws pitch to the surface.
- Never use a film finish inside a sauna — leave the wood bare so it can breathe.
- Use hidden or countersunk stainless fasteners; exposed metal gets burning hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best wood for sauna benches?
Western red cedar and obeche. Both are low density, so they stay comfortable to sit on at full sauna temperature.
Can you use pine in a sauna?
Knot-free eastern white pine works, but resinous pines and firs will bleed pitch when heated and should be avoided.
Should sauna wood be sealed?
No. Sealants trap moisture and can off-gas at sauna temperatures. Leave interior wood bare and let it dry between uses.
Need a more specific recommendation?
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