Finlandia Wood Types
FINLANDIA SAUNA IS THE ONLY U.S. COMPANY WHICH OFFERS A CHOICE OF THE WORLD’S BEST SAUNA WOODS:
Clear Western Red Cedar, clear Alaska Yellow Cedar, and clear Western Hemlock (all are 1″x 4″, 11/16 actual thickness)
Western Red Cedar
1″ x 4″ (ACTUAL THICKNESS 11/16″)
WESTERN RED CEDAR is the best known and most widely used of the West Coast cedars. It has the most beautiful color variation, has a refreshing aroma, and is dry-rot resistant. Because it’s the softest wood, it is least hot to sit on or lean against.
Alaska Yellow Cedar
1″ x 4″ (ACTUAL THICKNESS 11/16″)
ALASKA YELLOW CEDAR is an exclusive white cedar with a strong, pungent aroma. It feels almost silky to the touch, and has a beautiful creamy texture.
Western Hemlock
1″ x 4″ (ACTUAL THICKNESS 11/16″)
Clear WESTERN HEMLOCK is an excellent wood for people who have wood allergies-it has no aroma and no resins.
Finlandia Sauna does not use inexpensive woods such as thin knotty spruce which has a tendency to cup, shrink, warp and crack; (and some knots come loose when the pitch and resin around them dries in the high heat of the Sauna). Many European Saunas, however, are built from knotty spruce as it has been the available wood for centuries. Knotty spruce cannot be used for benches as it gets too hot, and the knots and pitch can burn the bather; so African Abachi is imported for benches. Abachi is a clear wood and it’s comfortable for sitting; but it has a peculiar, unpleasant odor. FINLANDIA uses only clear Western soft- woods with the proper matching softwood for benches.
Note to architect before specifying: To be sure that your customer gets the best wood, ask for lumber samples from Sauna suppliers to compare wood qualities and thickness. Finlandia is happy to supply samples, upon request.
