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Sauna

Cedar vs. Basswood Sauna: Choosing The Best Wood For Your Spa

Saunas have enthralled health enthusiasts, spa-hotel visitors, and homeowners alike for centuries. Crafted with simplicity yet causing profound wellbeing effects, saunas have developed into a crucial cornerstone of holistic living.

A critical quandary that often arises when installing a sauna at home is choosing the ideal wood type. Here, we shall briefly compare two popular choices – Cedar and Basswood.

basswood tree

Understanding Saunas

Ever since their inception in the Finnish woods, saunas have evolved immensely, spreading across continents and cultures. They've gradually embedded themselves as soothing sanctuaries that encourage not just physical purification, but psychological serenity. 

Saunas project into two main branches – traditional saunas and infrared saunas. The former kindle a fire to heat stones, which then radiate warmth onto the sauna inhabitant.

The latter, infrared saunas, use infrared technology to directly heat the sauna user's body.  The choice of sauna wood employed in sauna construction plays a pivotal role in defining the overall sauna experience.

It influences factors like heat storage, aesthetic feel, longevity, and even the aroma inside the sauna room.

The Wood Choices: Cedar and Basswood

Cedar Saunas

Cedar, a long-time favorite in the sauna industry, has highly rated properties for the sauna setting. From the Eastern White to the Western Red Cedar, these variations exhibit traits of durability and resistance, making them preferable for sauna use. 

Cedar's resistance to decay, knot, and rot makes it a lasting sauna choice. The inherent oils in cedar give off a pleasant aroma that many find invigorating — a subtle sensory perk during your sauna session.

Furthermore, Cedar's incredible capability to resist high temperatures while maintaining an agreeable surface heat renders it perfect for a moist sauna environment.

Nevertheless, Cedar can also pose a few challenges. Certain users may have allergenic reactions to its strong aroma, making it a slightly risky option for some.

Basswood Saunas

Basswood is also one of the best options for saunas. A softwood, it is increasingly becoming popular for building saunas. Many sauna companies champion it for its hypoallergenic features, notably favoring health clinics and allergen-sensitive individuals.

Amongst its many attributes, Basswood's ability to withstand heat and its non-absorptive nature bode well in the infrared sauna setting. However, basswood may not be as durable or attributes-rich as Cedar, making it a trade-off choice.

Other Sauna Wood Options

Apart from Cedar and Basswood, sauna builders employ other wood types like Hemlock, Fir, Aspen, and Poplar to cater to varied tastes and budgets.

These wood types equally contribute to creating durable and comfortable saunas, each adding its distinct touch to the sauna experience. 

Hemlock: Hemlock is a popular choice for sauna wood due to its durability and natural resistance to moisture. It has a light color and a straight grain pattern, giving saunas a clean and modern look. It also has good rot resistance.

Fir: Fir wood is known for its strength and stability, making it suitable for sauna construction. It has a light reddish-brown color with a prominent grain pattern, adding warmth and character to the sauna.

Aspen: Aspen wood is light in color and has a smooth texture, making it a popular choice for those who prefer a brighter and more inviting sauna ambiance. It is also resistant to warping and shrinking, making it a durable option and is easy to work with.

Poplar: Poplar wood has a light to medium brown color with a straight grain pattern. Although it may not have the same level of durability as other wood types, it can still provide a comfortable sauna experience. It is also one of the more expensive sauna woods.

These additional wood options provide sauna builders with more flexibility in terms of design, cost, and personal preferences. Ultimately, the choice of suitable wood will depend on factors such as budget, desired aesthetic, and ability to resist the high heat and moisture conditions of a sauna. 

Factors to Consider When Choosing The Right Wood For Your Sauna

Among the factors to balance before zeroing in on your sauna wood are heat and moisture resistance, capability to hold up to high temperatures, and resistance to cracking and splitting.

cedar sauna

Consider also the wood's allergenic properties, affordability, availability, and overall effectiveness in adding to your ideal sauna experience.

Conclusion

Choosing between Cedar and Basswood, or pondering other wood types, can indeed be daunting. Weighing carefully the upsides and obstacles of each can be very informing. Of course, personal preference, budget, and specific needs play a crucial role as well.

Ready to build a sauna that resonates with your taste and health objectives? Link arms with our gritty sauna experts who can help you make an informed wood-choice and guide you seamlessly through your sauna installation.

Reach out today and take your first step towards owning your dream sauna! Here at Biohacker Direct we have a collection of cedar saunas to furnish your home with.

FAQ's

What type of wood is best for a sauna?

The best wood for a sauna is cedar, particularly Eastern White or Western red cedar. Cedar wood is known for its natural resistance to decay, its ability to withstand high temperatures and moisture, and its pleasant aroma that adds to the sauna experience.

Is cedar the only choice?

No, while cedar is the preferred choice, there are other wood options available such as basswood, hemlock, fir, aspen, eucalyptus and poplar which can also be used for sauna construction. However, cedar is often considered the top choice due to its specific properties and hypoallergenic nature.

What are the advantages of using cedar for a sauna?

Cedar wood has several advantages when used in saunas. It is a hypoallergenic wood, meaning it is less likely to cause allergies or sensitivities. Cedar doesn't absorb too much heat and moisture, which makes it ideal for sauna environments. Additionally, cedar has a pleasant odor that enhances the sauna experience.

How do I choose the right wood for my sauna?

When choosing wood for your sauna, consider factors such as its ability to withstand high temperatures and moisture, resistance to decay, hypoallergenic properties, and overall durability. While cedar is a popular choice, you can also explore other options like basswood, hemlock, fir, aspen, or poplar based on your preferences and budget.

Can I build a sauna with any type of wood?

No, not all wood types are suitable for sauna construction. It is important to choose wood that can withstand the heat and moisture generated in a sauna environment. Avoid using woods that are prone to rot, have excessive knots, or release sap or resin when exposed to high temperatures.

Is cedar or basswood more expensive?

Cedar is generally more expensive than basswood when it comes to sauna wood. However, the exact cost can vary depending on factors such as availability, location, and quality of the wood.

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