Choose the best materials for tiles and sauna panelling

Wooden surfaces are the most visible part of the visual ensemble of the sauna and bathroom. The use of wood materials in the sauna has a significant impact on the sauna atmosphere, as most of the surfaces in the rooms are panel and board. Careful consideration should be given to the choice of materials at the design stage at the latest.

The warm atmosphere created by wooden surfaces is familiar to many sauna lovers from their childhood sauna experiences, and that is why traditional wooden surfaces are usually preferred in saunas. The sauna is for relaxation, so a simple and calm style is a good fit.  

The repetition of the same materials in the sauna, washroom and dressing room creates a cohesive look and often acts as a common theme in line with the other spaces in the building. By choosing elements that unify all the spaces in the home spa, such as the wood-panelled benches in the washroom and changing room, the space is coherent and functional. Likewise, the continuation of a continuous ceiling panelling from one space to the next creates a sense of coherence and spaciousness.

In addition to stylistic considerations, the practicality of materials should be taken into account at the design stage. Quality solutions and material choices pay off in terms of comfort and age.

Durable and washable surface materials

The wooden surfaces of the sauna are under extreme stress. Constant humidity fluctuations, wetting and drying, contribute to wood cracking and splintering. The choice of construction material is influenced by the longevity, ease of maintenance, moisture resistance and thermal conductivity of the wood.  

Heat treatment makes many types of wood particularly suitable for use as boards. During heat treatment, wood loses some mass and its thermal conductivity is reduced and warping is reduced. Heat-treated options are popular as board wood because of their good durability and beautiful colour. Heat-treated wood is particularly recommended for use in community saunas that are subject to heavy use and frequent washing. Wooden sauna surfaces will remain in good condition year after year if they are regularly treated with a protective coating.

Sun Sauna always uses A-grade timber ready for installation as the base and panel materials. The wood we use is “carpenter-dry”, which means that it can be installed without the need for moisture leveling. We want to act in accordance with the principles of sustainable development and therefore the valuable timber in Sun Sauna’s warehouse is sorted according to size in order to minimise wasted material.  

Sun Sauna’s table materials are hardwoods that do not emit resin. The most popular sauna materials are currently heat-treated aspen, heat-treated aspen and aspen. The most popular board width is 28 mm x 90 mm, but wider board widths are available, such as 28 mm x 120 mm and 28 mm x 140 mm. The board frame is made of moisture resistant softwood.  

Choose the best wood for your sauna 

Both softwood and hardwood are used as wood materials for the sauna. Coniferous wood, which is more resistant to moisture than hardwood, should be used for the frame. Deciduous woods, such as tar and aspen, are non-porous and non-resinous, which makes them suitable for use as timber and paneling.  

The lightest materials are softwoods, apache and aspen. The colour of tar and grey oak ranges from light reddish to reddish-brown. Heat treatment makes the wood darker, more resistant to warping and moisture.

Sun Sauna’s wood materials for decking and panels:

• Giant jerk – Colour ranges from dark brown to yellowish. The clear variations in colour make the surface of the wood lively, and the wood is very resistant to sauna conditions. Thanks to its porous structure, it is light and does not feel uncomfortably hot.  
• Tar alder – A beautiful light material with a moderate grain pattern. Colour ranges from reddish red to reddish brown.  
• Aspen – Untreated aspen is a very light and uniformly coloured material. Aspen is only available in panel form.
• Heat-treated tar alder – Heat-treated wood has a beautiful brown colour. The tonal differences are smaller than in heat-treated ash. Heat-treated tarred alder is dimensionally stable, rot-resistant and non-toxic because only water vapour and heat are used in the manufacturing process.
• Heat-treated aspen – Heat-treated wood has a beautiful brown, slightly yellowish colour. The clear variations in colour make the surface of the wood look alive. Heat-treated aspen is dimensionally stable, rot-resistant and non-toxic because only water vapour and heat are used in the manufacturing process.
• Heat-treated tarred alder DARK – Note! Only available in panels. The colour is dark brown. Tone differences are smaller than in heat-treated ash.  
• Heat-treated magnolia – The colour ranges from dark brown to light brown, but the overall colour is darker than aspen or alder. Heat-treated magnolia has a beautiful, vivid scab pattern.

Free panelisation plan to facilitate procurement

When requesting a quotation, it is advisable to ask for a free panelisation plan. The plan includes a calculation of the number of panels required, the lengths and our expert’s recommendation of the material. The panel calculator is a great tool to accurately map out the panel heating bill. Sun Sauna’s panel and ceiling materials come from the same source, which reduces any potential shade differences. Our panels are Grade A knotless panels, supplied in packs of 6 or 9, ready to measure. Panel sizes are available in approximately 30 cm increments, which significantly reduces the amount of “wasted panel”.

Remember, the sauna is only finished when it is finished with beautiful mouldings. To complete the panelling, we can supply you with mouldings for both the sauna and the washroom. Horizontal panelling is combined with corner mouldings, and vertical panelling with ceiling mouldings. A wooden air vent cover in the same colour as the wood panels and mouldings adds the finishing touch to a well-kept look. Decorating the sauna is an important part of the sauna experience, so make sure that the interior panels and dressing room furniture, for example, match the other wooden surfaces.