Stepping into a relaxing cedar sauna is like entering a warm, woodsy paradise. The rich reddish-brown tones and fresh evergreen scent envelop you, whisking your cares away. Cedar has been used for traditional sauna construction for centuries, and good reason. This beautiful wood has many natural properties that make it well-suited for saunas.
Why Choose Cedar Wood for Saunas?
Cedar offers numerous advantages that have made it the premium wood of choice for sauna building:
- Attractive appearance – The reddish-brown hue and straight grain of cedar create an aesthetically pleasing look. The wood adds natural beauty and visual warmth.
- Lightweight – Cedar is a soft, lightweight wood that is relatively easy to work with. This helps make construction and transport easier.
- Dimensional stability – Properly kiln-dried cedar is resistant to warping and cracking, essential in saunas’ high heat and humidity.
- Insulating ability – Cedar conducts and retains heat effectively. It feels comfortable to sit on without getting overly hot.
- Durability – Cedar stands up to heat, steam, and moisture better than many woods. With proper care, it can last for decades.
- Fragrance – Cedar gives off a pleasant, fresh, woodsy aroma. This adds to the relaxing multisensory sauna experience.
With both beauty and brawn, cedar has proven ideal for crafting sauna environments that provide enjoyment for years. Its natural advantages can’t be beaten.
Cedar Varieties for Saunas
There are a few species of cedar that are suitable for saunas. Two of the most common are:
Western Red Cedar
This classic sauna wood has a rich red-brown color and straight grain. Grown along the Pacific Coast, Western Red Cedar is lightweight, rigid, and dimensionally stable. It’s also resistant to decay. These traits make it an exceptional choice for saunas.
Alaska Yellow Cedar
Also called Alaska Cypress, this cedar has a slightly lighter yellow-brown tone. It shares the durability and dimensional stability of Western Red Cedar, with a more pronounced citrusy scent. Alaska Yellow Cedar is naturally insect- and rot-resistant.
Both varieties are excellent sauna woods, with the choice often regarding availability. Ensure any cedar sauna wood is certified for sauna use and kiln-dried to 6-8% moisture content to prevent future warping.
Crafting a Cedar Sauna
Cedar’s lightweight nature and ease of installation make it a fairly DIY-friendly material for sauna building. Here are some tips for crafting your cedar sauna:
Walls
Tongue-and-groove boards are commonly used for sauna walls. 1×4 or 1×6 cedar boards provide attractive, tight-fitting coverage. Install with the smooth face outwards. Allow space between boards for expansion.
Benches
Ergonomic cedar benches let you relax in comfort. Use 2×6 boards for the legs and frame. Top with 1×6 or wider boards spaced slightly apart for ventilation. Shape edges and sand smooth.
Back Rest
Angle vertical 1×4 or 1×6 boards at the top of the rear wall to create a comfortable cedar backrest for lounging. Allow a small gap between boards for air circulation.
Ceiling
Tongue-and-groove cedar boards make an attractive and protective ceiling. Leave a small gap along the walls for ventilation. The ceiling can be arched or angled.
Doors
Solid cedar or a sandwich design with cedar surface boards make appealing sauna doors. Use durable hinges and hardware rated for saunas. Include vent holes near the top.
Heater Guard Rail
Install vertical 1×4 boards on the wall around the heater to create a protective railing. Provide clearance as recommended by the manufacturer.
With thoughtful planning and attention to detail, you can create a custom cedar sauna perfectly suited to your space and preferences. Take advantage of cedar’s natural beauty while observing proper safety practices.
Maintaining a Cedar Sauna
With proper care and maintenance, a cedar sauna can provide many years of blissful enjoyment:
- Allow wood to adjust to indoor humidity levels before installing.
- Keep sauna wood clean by wiping down with a soft cloth after use.
- Wash benches and backrests periodically with a mild soap and water solution. Rinse thoroughly.
- Protect exterior surfaces with a sealant made for sauna use. Reapply annually.
- Keep water and humidity in balance. Use a hygrometer to monitor levels.
- Operate ventilation system for a period after use to dry sauna and wood.
- Inspect wood surfaces regularly for any signs of warping or deterioration.
- Refresh cedar aroma periodically by lightly sanding or applying a small amount of oil.
With proper installation, ventilation, and care, a cedar sauna can last 20-30 years or more, providing endless relaxation. Maintain your sauna well so you can keep enjoying its woodsy tranquility.
Health Benefits of Saunas
Beyond sheer relaxation, using a sauna offers some excellent health advantages. Here are a few ways cedar saunas can benefit your wellbeing:
- Detoxification – Heating the body helps induce sweating to flush out toxins and impurities from the skin. Saunas are like a deep cellular cleanse.
- Stress relief – The heat and tranquility of a sauna melt away tension. Saunas promote relaxation and can help reduce psychological stress.
- Cardiovascular health – Sauna use improves circulation and may boost heart health by enhancing vascular functioning.
- Pain relief – The warmth of a sauna can relieve muscle soreness, joint pain and stiffness. Saunas may help reduce chronic pain.
- Immune support – Moderate sauna use acts an immune booster, activating the body’s defenses against viruses and infection.
- Skin health – Saunas draw impurities from pores, reduce acne, and improve overall skin tone and appearance.
- ** Mental clarity** – The complete relaxation and mindfulness saunas encourage can enhance mental acuity and clear thinking.
Cedar saunas deliver profoundly soothing mind-body benefits with regular use. Just be sure to stay hydrated and listen to your own body’s signals.
Cedar Sauna Safety Tips
While cedar saunas provide wonderful wellness advantages, it’s important to keep safety in mind:
- Consult your doctor before using a sauna if you have chronic health conditions or take medications that may impair thermoregulation.
- Start with shorter sauna sessions of 5-10 minutes. Gradually increase time as your body adjusts.
- Hydrate well before and after use to replace fluids and minerals lost through sweating.
- Avoid alcohol before saunas which can cause dangerous dehydration.
- Monitor time and how you feel carefully. Avoid overheating. Leave immediately if feeling unwell.
- Allow body temperature and heart rate to normalize between sessions. Take breaks between rounds.
- Shower first to wash away skin products that could clog pores. Rinse off after.
- Place a towel down to absorb sweat and keep benches hygienic.
- Install safety features like rails, non-slip floors, proper lighting and ventilation systems.
With some common sense precautions, you can soak up all the benefits a cedar sauna offers for a lifetime.
Bringing the Cedar Sauna Experience Home
After learning about all the advantages of cedar saunas, you may be itching to bring one into your home. Thankfully, there are more options than ever to make your cedar sauna dreams come true:
- DIY kits – For the hands-on, you can purchase complete sauna kits with pre-cut cedar boards to assemble yourself. This allows full customization for your space.
- Pre-fab units – Several companies offer pre-fabricated modular cedar saunas that can be delivered and installed in your home much faster than building one.
- Custom build – Work with an experienced sauna supplier or contractor to design and build a fully customized cedar sauna perfect for your needs.
- Used saunas – Check classified ads or auction sites to find quality used pre-built cedar saunas for significant savings. Just inspect carefully before purchasing.
- Portable saunas – Mobile cedar barrel saunas provide the soothing experience without permanent installation. Use indoors or out.
With the wide variety of options available today, there’s never been an easier time to bring an authentic cedar sauna into your life. Bask in the bliss!
Discover Cedar Sauna Serenity
Cedar offers the ideal properties for constructing saunas that delight the senses and soothe the soul. With its beautiful aroma, attractive grain patterns, lightweight strength, and durability, cedar is the quintessential wood for saunas. Its natural advantages make it a joy to work with and allow it to stand up to the demands of the sauna environment.
Properly installed tongue-and-groove cedar boards create a comforting sanctuary inside your own home. Tend to your sauna with care; it will provide an oasis of relaxation and renewal for many years. Cedar saunas invest in health, serenity, and quality time with loved ones.
Beyond the profound physical cleansing and stress relief, a cedar sauna is simply a place to be present. Turn off your devices, quiet your mind, and permit yourself to relax completely.
Feel your breath deepen as your muscles unwind. Let the aromatic cedar surround you as the heated air opens your pores and calms your nerves. Listen to the peaceful silence, broken only by water droplets hitting the stove rocks.
With regular use, you may find your sleep improves, anxiety lessens, and outlook brightens. Make sauna time a sacred ritual of self-care. We all need to recharge and reset. A cedar sauna makes doing so a multisensory delight rather than a chore.
For centuries, cultures worldwide have incorporated saunas into their way of life. You can gain the same benefits your ancestors enjoyed with a home sauna. Follow their wisdom and make saunas a part of your path to wellbeing.
If you’ve considered adding a sauna, research and choose the construction method and design elements that fit your lifestyle and budget. Consult a qualified sauna supplier if you have any questions.
With prudent planning, you’ll soon be on your way to endless afternoons of cedar-scented contentment. Clear your calendar, put on some relaxing music, grab your eucalyptus-infused towel, and get ready to say “ahhhh” in your haven.
Unique Sauna Design Ideas
One of the great aspects of installing a custom cedar sauna is the ability to get creative with the design. While there are certainly tried and true classic sauna styles, don’t be afraid to think outside the box! Here are some unique sauna design ideas to consider:
Fun Shapes
Octagonal, hexagonal or rounded sauna shapes give a modern, organic feel compared to square or rectangular. Curved walls also allow smooth wrapping benches for a cocoon-like experience.
Creative Wood Use
Mix different wood types, patterns and colors for visual interest. Contrast cedar with aspens or basswood sections. Add wood burnt accents or artistic wood inlays.
Lighting Elements
Incorporate hanging lanterns, sconces, fiber optics, or accent lighting on benches or behind backrests. This adds ambiance and a warm glow.
Custom Touches
Have your sauna reflect your personality. Add handcrafted details like custom wood carvings, stamped metal kick plates, river rock floors, or a unique door design.
Heating Options
Along with traditional wood-burning stoves, new technology like infrared ceramic heaters, radiant wall heating, and heated floors keep options open.
Spa Amenities
Make your sauna an indulgent experience by adding amenities like chromotherapy mood lighting, aromatherapy diffusers, sound systems, and luxury lounge chairs.
Accessories
Design and build custom cedar accessory racks, water buckets, headrests, hourglasses, and more. Choose accessories with natural, soothing materials.
Outdoor Saunas
Extend outdoor living space by integrating a cedar sauna into a deck, patio, or landscape. Add glass walls to enjoy relaxing views.
With good preparation and an eye for design, you can create a one-of-a-kind cedar sauna that reflects your unique taste and personality while providing all the traditional benefits.
Cedar Sauna Maintenance Tips
To keep your cedar sauna looking and performing its best for as long as possible, follow these helpful maintenance practices:
- Inspect wood surfaces regularly for any cracks, warping, or deterioration. Address any issues immediately to prevent further damage.
- Apply a protective wood sealer or oil formulated for saunas to refresh and protect the wood. Read product instructions carefully.
- Keep the sauna interior clean by periodically wiping down benches and walls with a soft cloth and mild, non-abrasive cleaner.
- Check for mold growth, especially in damp areas like under benches. Remove any mold immediately using a mold killing cleaner. Improve ventilation if mold persists.
- Vacuum floor thoroughly around the heater to remove ash and debris which can stain or harm wood over time.
- Ensure water buckets and ladles are cleaned and disinfected regularly to prevent bacteria growth.
- Confirm that all sauna rocks around the heater are in good condition, replacing any crumbling or falling apart.
- Have the heater/stove serviced annually by a professional to keep it functioning safely and efficiently.
- Test wood moisture monthly using a moisture meter. Ideal sauna humidity is 10-20%. Make ventilation adjustments as needed.
- Listen for unusual noises from the heater, fans, or other electrical components and troubleshoot problems immediately.
With proper care and maintenance, your investment in a cedar sauna will provide safe relaxation and joy for many years. Be diligent, catch any issues early, and follow all manufacturer recommendations for optimal longevity.
Types of Sauna Heaters
An integral part of any sauna setup is choosing the right heater. Here are some of the most common sauna heater types and their key features:
Wood Burning Stoves
The most traditional option – uses logs or sauna wood pucks for fuel. Models with rocks radiate soothing infrared heat. Needs ventilation. High upfront cost but very low operating costs. Requires loading wood and removing ash.
Electric Stoves
Convenient plug-in units made for saunas. Often feature rocks, water reservoirs, and controls for adjusting time, temperature, etc. Good airflow and venting still needed. Higher operating costs than wood-fired.
Gas Infrared Sauna Heaters
Provide intense infrared heating without rocks or water. Often wall-mounted. Come in natural gas or propane options. Tend to heat up fastest. Need proper gas lines and ventilation. Higher operating costs.
Electric Infrared Sauna Heaters
Emit infrared waves using electric heating elements. Wall-mounted or freestanding. No vents are needed but some airflow is recommended. Warm up fast. Relatively affordable to buy and run. Limited adjustability.
When selecting a sauna heater, consider upfront costs, operating costs, maintenance needs, safety, adjustability, and the general vibe you want. Work with an experienced supplier to match the right heater solution to your sauna setup.
Final Takeaways on Cedar Saunas
- Cedar has been the premium wood for saunas for centuries thanks to its strength, beauty, fragrance and durability.
- Maintain proper ventilation, hygiene and maintenance practices to maximize safety and longevity of your cedar sauna.
- Custom design allows you to create a personalized cedar sauna sanctuary perfect for your needs and preferences.
- Use your sauna frequently to reap the full mind-body wellness benefits of deep relaxation, detoxification, improved circulation and more.
- With prudent planning and quality construction, a home cedar sauna can provide an oasis of comfort and tranquility for a lifetime.
The sublime, spirit-renewing pleasure of a cedar sauna is an investment well worth making. Do your homework, find the right supplier, and start improving your health and peace of mind surrounded by natural cedar wood’s beautiful glow and aroma. Let the relaxation begin!
