Sauna Wood Types: Cedar, Hemlock, Basswood, and Aspen Compared

The wood a sauna is built from shapes how it smells, how the benches feel against your skin, how well it holds up to heat and moisture, and how much it costs. Most home saunas use one of four woods: western red cedar, Canadian hemlock, basswood, or aspen. This guide compares them so you can match the right wood to your body, your budget, and where the sauna will live.

Which sauna wood is best? A quick answer

There is no single best sauna wood, only the best fit for your priorities. Western red cedar is the classic choice because it resists moisture and insects, stays cool to the touch, and carries a warm aroma, which makes it a favorite for outdoor and traditional saunas. Hemlock is stable, low in resin, and nearly scent free, which is why it is the default for infrared cabins and for anyone who wants an unscented room. Basswood and aspen are the most hypoallergenic options, with almost no oils, tannins, or odor, and they stay comfortable against bare skin during long sessions. If you have respiratory sensitivities or want no scent, choose basswood, aspen, or hemlock. If you want a traditional look and aroma and the sauna will face moisture, choose cedar. Cost rises from hemlock and basswood at the affordable end up to clear grade cedar at the premium end.

Sauna wood types compared

Wood	Aroma	Heat to touch	Allergen level	Moisture resistance	Relative cost
Western red cedar	Strong, warm	Stays cool	Higher (aromatic oils)	Excellent	Premium
Canadian hemlock	Very light	Stays cool	Low	Good with care	Affordable
Basswood	None	Low heat transfer	Very low (hypoallergenic)	Good with care	Mid
Aspen	None	Low heat transfer	Very low (hypoallergenic)	Good with care	Mid

Western red cedar

Cedar is the wood most people picture when they think of a sauna. It naturally resists moisture, mildew, and insects, and it holds its shape well through repeated heating and cooling. Its low thermal conductivity means the benches and walls stay cool enough to touch even at high temperatures. Cedar also releases a warm, woody aroma that many people associate with the classic sauna experience. The tradeoffs are cost and scent. Clear, knot free cedar sits at the premium end of the price range, and the same aromatic oils that smell pleasant can irritate a small number of people with respiratory sensitivities. Cedar is a strong pick for outdoor cabins and barrel saunas that face weather and humidity. You can see cedar built models in our outdoor saunas and traditional saunas collections.

Canadian hemlock

Hemlock is the workhorse of infrared saunas. It is dimensionally stable, low in resin, and gives off almost no scent at operating temperatures, which makes it the default for anyone who wants a clean, unscented room. Because it lacks cedar's natural oils, hemlock benefits from good ventilation and regular wiping to keep it looking its best over the years. Its price is friendly, which is part of why so many infrared cabins use it. Browse hemlock lined models in our infrared saunas for sale.

Basswood and aspen

Basswood and aspen are the go to woods for sensitive users. Both contain virtually no resins, tannins, or aromatic compounds, so they produce no scent and are the least likely to trigger allergies or irritation. They also have low heat transfer, so benches stay comfortable against bare skin during longer sessions. If a household member has asthma, chemical sensitivities, or simply dislikes strong wood smells, one of these two is usually the safest choice. They sit in the middle of the price range and pair well with both infrared and traditional heat.

How wood choice affects price

Wood is one of the larger cost drivers in a sauna. Grade matters as much as species: clear, knot free boards cost more than knotty grades of the same wood. Hemlock and standard grade basswood keep an entry level build affordable, while premium clear cedar can add a meaningful amount to the total. When you compare quotes, check both the species and the grade so you are comparing like for like. Our sauna buying guide walks through the other cost factors, and the sauna glossary defines the wood and construction terms you will see on spec sheets. As an authorized retailer, we can help you match wood, size, and budget, and many units are eligible for HSA and FSA savings with a letter of medical necessity.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best wood for an outdoor sauna? Western red cedar is the usual pick for outdoor and barrel saunas because it resists moisture, mildew, and insects and weathers well. Thermally treated woods are another durable option for exposed builds.

Which sauna wood is best for allergies? Aspen and basswood are the most hypoallergenic because they have almost no resins, oils, or scent. Hemlock is also a good low scent choice. People sensitive to aromatic oils often avoid cedar.

Does the wood affect how a sauna performs? Yes. Woods with low thermal conductivity, like cedar, hemlock, basswood, and aspen, stay cooler to the touch and hold heat well, which is why they are used for benches and walls. The heater still drives the temperature, but the wood shapes comfort, scent, and durability.