Sauna bathing is deeply rooted in Finnish cultural heritage, and Finns have enjoyed it for centuries. Most Finns have a sauna of their own at home, and many use it several times a week. Many also have a lakeside cottage sauna, offering the perfect chance to cool off with a refreshing dip in the lake between rounds of steam.
For Finns, the sauna is not just a place to get clean. It’s a haven for relaxation, helping to unwind from the stresses of everyday life. In addition to relaxation, the sauna provides a peaceful setting for spending quality time together.
A well-planned sauna guarantees a wonderful sauna experience
The traditional Finnish sauna is both hot and humid. Heated by wood or electricity, the sauna stove typically raises the temperature to between 80 and 100°C. Throwing water onto the stove’s hot stones creates steam, which increases the humidity and enhances the overall sauna experience.
A great sauna experience relies on even, comfortable temperature and humidity, along with good ventilation. The temperature should be high, but not uncomfortably hot, to ensure a relaxing experience. Proper ventilation keeps the air fresh and oxygen-rich, while humidity affects how the heat feels. Higher humidity gives the heat a softer, more pleasant feel.
The interior design and choice of materials also have a significant impact on the sauna experience. High-quality, durable materials help to create a pleasant and soothing atmosphere.
Lighter, softer woods such as Nordic pine or spruce improve the sauna’s acoustics, as they reflect sound less than harder woods. The natural scent of the wood, combined with atmospheric lighting, sets the perfect mood for a truly enjoyable sauna experience.
Nordic softwood crowns every sauna
Sauna is a demanding environment for materials due to the high temperatures and humidity. Nordic softwood grows slowly in the cold climate, which results in dense and durable timber. This density enhances the wood’s ability to withstand the heat and humidity of a sauna without warping or cracking.
Nordic softwood is also particularly well suited for sauna interiors due to its low thermal conductivity. Even at high temperatures, the wood remains comfortable to the touch, making it an excellent choice for sauna walls and benches.
Another reason wood is an ideal surface material for saunas is its antibacterial properties. Studies have shown that the antimicrobial compounds found in wood enhance its natural resistance to bacteria. This makes wood not only a pleasant, but also a safe choice for sauna interiors.
The appearance of wood also contributes to creating a pleasant sauna atmosphere. Light-toned, even-grained woods like Nordic spruce help establish a calm and relaxing environment. Its fine, narrow growth rings, light shade and minimal knots make it a beautiful and soothing material.
UPM’s timber makes for a high-quality construction material for saunas
Beyond its excellent usability, Nordic softwood is also a sustainable building material.
As it grows, wood absorbs carbon, and when sawn timber is used in products like sauna wall panels or benches, it continues to store that carbon for decades. With UPM Timber’s Carbon Storage Calculator, you can easily estimate how much carbon is stored in the sawn timber used for a wood product.
UPM Timber produces high-quality standard and special sawn timber products from Finnish pine and spruce, sourced exclusively from sustainably managed Finnish forests. All our products are sawn in Finland at UPM Timber’s PEFC (PEFC/02-34-05) and FSC™ Chain of Custody (FSC C086359) certified sawmills.