There is no single best wood for every part of a sauna. For benches and backrests, favor woods that transfer little heat and have low resin content, such as aspen, alder, or abachi (obeche). Walls and ceilings allow more choices, including cedar, hemlock, spruce, aspen, and silver fir. The right pick depends on where the boards will go, their grade and finish, and the aroma and appearance you want.
Choose bench wood for skin contact
Bench and backrest boards touch bare skin, so prioritize low heat transfer and low resin over color or fragrance. The International Spa Association’s Hydrothermal Guide 2024 lists aspen, obeche, and poplar as suitable bench woods. Its guidance calls for hard, low-thermal-conducting wood to help avoid skin burns.
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Aspen is also a practical choice when a light, relatively knot-free look is preferred: Osmo describes its sauna paneling as light-colored and practically knot-free. Alder is identified by Suomen Saunat as a common low-resin bench option. Abachi, also called obeche, is valued for low heat conductivity; Osmo says its benches heat up less. These are useful material characteristics, not a controlled ranking among species.
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Bench support is a separate design issue
The Hydrothermal Guide gives a minimum bench support figure of 200 kg per linear meter (440 lb per linear meter, or 134 lb per linear foot). Treat that as the guide’s design recommendation, not a universal building code. Follow the sauna designer’s and local building requirements for the structure, spans, and fixings.
#1 Best Overall
- SOLID WESTERN RED CEDAR — Crafted from premium Western Red Cedar, known for its strength, stability, and natural moisture resistance.
- GENEROUS DIMENSIONS — Measures 47″ wide x 19.5″ deep x 19.5″ high, offering ample seating or tabletop space in steam rooms, patios, or entryways.
- VERSATILE FUNCTIONALITY — Use it as a bench, table, or shelf in saunas, bathrooms, mudrooms, or outdoor spaces—it adds utility wherever it goes.
- FAST, TOOL-FREE ASSEMBLY — Legs attach easily by hand with included components, making setup quick and frustration-free.
- SUITABLE FOR MOIST ENVIRONMENTS — Ideal for use in high-humidity areas; sealing is recommended to preserve wood tone and longevity.
Choose wall and ceiling boards for the room
Paneling does not have the same direct skin-contact requirement as seating, so appearance, aroma, knots, and product suitability can play a larger role. Osmo recommends silver fir, aspen, spruce, and hemlock for sauna paneling. Finlandia describes Western red cedar, Alaska yellow cedar, and Western hemlock options. Confirm the exact species and product grade rather than relying on a broad name such as “cedar” or “hemlock.”
Cedar
Finlandia describes Western red cedar as aromatic and varied in color, and notes its dry-rot resistance. Thermory says its Western red cedar does not secrete resin, does not overheat, and is water-repellent. These are supplier descriptions, not comparative test results; expect natural variation between boards and check the product specification.
Rank #2
- STOPS THE STALE SAUNA SMELL - Sweat and body oils build up on cedar, hemlock, and pine, then come back as that musty towel smell every time the heater fires. Mission Control Sauna Cleaner lifts them from the surface before they build up.
- WON'T RUIN YOUR SAUNA - Cleans the wood without stripping the natural finish or leaving residue that bakes off on the next session. No bleach, no dyes, no heavy fragrance, no fumes when the heater fires back up.
- MADE FOR SAUNA WOOD - Most untreated sauna wood, including cedar, hemlock, and pine. Benches, slat walls, backrests, headrests, and duckboards. 32 oz sauna cleaner spray, ready to use, no mixing or dilution. Test a hidden spot first.
- JUST SPRAY & WIPE - Let the sauna cool, spray onto a cloth, wipe with the grain, leave the door open to air dry. Sit 2 to 3 minutes on heavy spots. Routine cleaning, not a project.
- BUILT FOR REGULAR USE - For home sauna owners cleaning weekly and the gym, spa, and wellness operators wiping down between sessions. Made in USA. Keep spray off the heater and electrical components.
Hemlock
Hemlock is listed by Osmo for paneling. Finlandia describes its clear Western hemlock as having no aroma or resin, while Thermory describes Canadian hemlock as suitable for benches, sauna interiors, and exterior paneling. Species and grade matter, so verify that the particular boards are intended for the surface you are building.
Spruce and pine
Spruce is a common paneling option, but Suomen Saunat’s 2026 guide cautions that pine and spruce can release resin from knots when heated and advises against using them for seating surfaces. A board that is suitable for a wall is not automatically a good choice for a bench or backrest.
Rank #3
- Extend Your Saunas Lifespan: Consistent cleaning of your home sauna is critical to not only ensuring it remains sanitary, but protecting surfaces to keep it operating efficiently. Utilize Almost Heaven's natural wood sauna cleaner that is slightly alkaline 1-3 times per year if your home saunas has normal, family use.
- Complete Cleaning, Protection, and Disinfectant Kit: The Almost Heaven sauna care kit comes equipped with our sauna cleaning solution, paraffin oil to protect wood surfaces, along with gloves, sandpaper and a sponge.
- Paraffin Oil: An oil treatment for wood surfaces, paraffin oil reduces the amount of humidity & dirt is absorbed into the benches. This process increases the lifespan of sauna benches while accentuating the natural color of wood surfaces, which is why we recommend treating new benches before using them. Paraffin oil is suitable for all wood surfaces, especially effective on heat-treated wood & alder.
- Elevate Your Sauna Session : Shop our extensive line of sauna accessories including handcrafted wooden accessories such as backrests, red cedar bucket & ladle sets, and heat-resistant portable speakers built for sauna sessions.
- USA Based: With 50 years of experience producing sauna, sauna accessories, and steam shower generators, Almost Heaven is second to none. Produced in the valleys of West Virginia with the highest quality materials and commitment to excellence.
Silver fir and aspen
Osmo recommends silver fir for sauna paneling, alongside aspen. Aspen’s light appearance and relatively knot-free look may suit a bright, understated interior; confirm the finish and grade on the specific product.
Compare the main options by use
| Wood | Suggested location | Touch, resin, and knots | Appearance or aroma | Source qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aspen | Benches; paneling | Listed as a bench option by the International Spa Association guide. Osmo describes its paneling as practically knot-free. | Light-colored, according to Osmo. | Guide and manufacturer descriptions; not a head-to-head performance test. |
| Alder | Benches and sauna interior | Suomen Saunat identifies it as a common low-resin bench wood. | Not stated in cited source. | Suomen Saunat and Thermory product guidance. |
| Abachi / obeche | Benches | Low heat conductivity; listed as a bench option by the International Spa Association guide. | Not stated in cited source. | Osmo product description and industry guide. |
| Western red cedar | Walls and other interior surfaces; verify suitability for seating by product | Thermory says its product does not secrete resin or overheat. | Finlandia describes color variation and aroma. | Supplier descriptions; not a universal species ranking. |
| Western hemlock | Paneling; seating only when the product is specified for it | Finlandia describes clear Western hemlock as having no resin. | Finlandia describes it as having no aroma. | Manufacturer descriptions; check exact species and grade. |
| Spruce or pine | Walls and ceilings; avoid seating surfaces where resin from knots is a concern | Suomen Saunat warns resin may seep from knots under heat. | Not stated in cited source. | Suomen Saunat’s 2026 guide; suitability depends on board and placement. |
| Silver fir | Paneling | Not stated in cited source. | Not stated in cited source. | Recommended for paneling by Osmo. |
Consider thermally modified softwood carefully
Suomen Saunat identifies thermally treated softwood as a bench option. Its guide says treatment drives off much of the resin and reduces movement, while darkening the wood and making it more brittle. The outcome depends on the particular wood and treatment process, so use only a product whose manufacturer specifies sauna suitability and intended location.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Natural, Multi-Surface Clean: Crafted with natural ingredients and pure eucalyptus oil, this high-performance cleaner refreshes your sauna space without compromise—no toxins, no shortcuts.
- Chemical-Free, Skin-Safe: Free from parabens, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances. Gentle on skin and surfaces, yet tough on sweat & residue.
- 🌎Eco-Friendly & Biodegradable: Designed with sustainability in mind. Every drop supports a cleaner sauna and a cleaner planet—leaves no residue or unwanted buildup behind.
- Compact Small Bottle, Big Impact: Convenient conentrate is perfect for home and convenient use. Concentrated formula means a little goes a long way—just dilute, spray, and wipe.
- Fresh Eucalyptus Aroma: Infused with eucalyptus essential oil for a clean, invigorating aroma that enhances your post-sauna experience—no artificial perfumes.
Rank #4
- Comfortable Support for Relaxation – Ergonomically designed wooden sauna backrest provides the perfect angle for relaxation in your sauna room or barrel sauna, reducing strain during long sessions
- Non-Slip & Sturdy Design – Made from durable cedar wood, this sauna back rest stays in place and offers stability, making it one of the most practical sauna accessories for both home and commercial saunas
- Perfect Fit for Infrared & Traditional Saunas – Works seamlessly as an infrared sauna backrest, wooden steam chair, or sauna seat, giving you versatile support across different sauna types
- Premium Cedar Wood Quality – Crafted from natural cedar, this sauna chair wood accessories is heat-resistant, moisture-resistant, and long-lasting, blending style with functionality
- Great Gift for Sauna Lovers – A thoughtful sauna accessories and wellness essential, this sauna chair with back support makes a unique and practical present, ideal as gifts for sauna lovers
Check the board and installation details before buying
- Match the board to its location. Confirm whether it is rated or recommended for a bench, backrest, step, wall, or ceiling.
- Verify species and grade. Look for the exact species, clear or select grade where desired, and any sauna-specific suitability statement. Finlandia’s contractor guidance specifies select, certified, kiln-dried material.
- Inspect knots and resin risk. Especially for contact surfaces, assess the actual boards rather than assuming every board of a species is alike.
- Compare dimensions and construction. Check thickness, width, drying, and how the boards fit the planned framing and ventilation.
- Check the finish instructions. Use only finishes suitable for the intended sauna surface and follow the product directions.
- Follow heater clearances and installation directions. The heater and sauna manufacturers’ instructions govern spacing, materials, and assembly around hot equipment.
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