Every detail matters when building a luxury sauna — but none more than the wood. It’s the foundation. The atmosphere. The essence of the space.

If you’re investing in a custom sauna, you’re not just choosing a look. You’re choosing how it will smell, feel, age, and perform over time.

And while there are plenty of wood options out there, two stand out for a reason: Western Red Cedar and Thermowood. These aren’t interchangeable. They serve different purposes — and both are best-in-class for the job they’re meant to do.

For Indoor Saunas: Western Red Cedar

Step into a cedar sauna and you’ll know instantly why it’s been trusted for generations. The scent alone is enough to transport you — rich, woodsy, calming.

But it’s not just about aroma. Western Red Cedar performs beautifully in indoor environments. It naturally resists decay, holds heat without getting too hot to the touch, and remains dimensionally stable in dry, warm spaces.

Cedar has long been the preferred wood for indoor sauna construction because:

• It smells amazing (a natural, spa-like aroma)
• It’s gentle on the skin, even when the sauna is at full temperature
• It offers natural resistance to mold and mildew
• It brings a timeless, warm aesthetic that never goes out of style

If you’re building a sauna inside your home, cottage, or wellness studio — cedar is the right choice. It’s a classic for a reason.

For Outdoor Saunas: Thermowood

Outdoor saunas face a different challenge. Exposure to rain, snow, sun, and wide temperature swings means the wood needs to do more than just look beautiful — it has to last.

That’s where thermally modified wood comes in. Thermowood (like thermo-aspen, thermo-magnolia, and thermo-spruce) undergoes a specialized heat and steam treatment process that transforms the wood on a molecular level.

The result? A durable, weather-resistant material that won’t shrink, warp, or crack when the seasons change.

For outdoor builds, Thermowood is unmatched:

• Zero chemicals — just heat and steam
• Incredibly stable and long-lasting
• Handles moisture and extreme temps without breaking down
• Maintains a clean, modern, architectural finish

If you're planning a backyard sauna, lakehouse retreat, or mountain-view barrel sauna, Thermowood is the material that makes it last a lifetime.

Expert Tip: Match the Wood to the Environment

This isn’t about choosing one over the other — it’s about choosing wisely based on your setting.

At Inland Luxury Sauna, we build with both — because both are best in class. We’ve spent years sourcing the finest cedar and thermo-treated wood from trusted suppliers to ensure your sauna performs as beautifully as it looks.

Ready to Build? We’ll Help You Choose Right.

When you're building a sauna, the right wood doesn’t just make it look good — it makes it last. If you’re unsure which material is right for your project, we’re here to help.

Send us a message or book a consultation. We'll walk you through the options and help you create something timeless — and built for your space.

At Inland Luxury Sauna, we don’t just build saunas. We build sanctuaries.