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What Is the Best Wood to Use For an Infrared Sauna?

Imagine what an infrared sauna brings on the table and why you need it. From improved sleep and relief of sore muscles to better skin and weight detox, you will fall in love with these infrared saunas at all times. Their unique role in improving the glow of your skin and blood circulation is hard to overstate.

But which wood is ideal for your infrared sauna? Here are a few options to consider.

 

What Wood Options Can You Use on Infrared Saunas?

what is the best wood for infrared sauna

The materials chosen for your infrared saunas will always matter, as they define the experience you have in there. With the right materials, you will be sure of the ultimate health benefits and lesser risks.

Wood has proven to be the go-to choice for most people, but different wood types provide distinct experiences. Here are the best 7 options at your disposal.

  • Basswood

You can barely overlook how popular basswood has become. Thanks to how skin-friendly it is, this option is ideal for anyone with skin sensitivities to fragrances or any other irritant.

It will barely emit toxins or odors with its hypoallergenic nature, providing you with the comfort and peace of mind you need. If you have any allergies, this is your ultimate choice.

Its pale white or light brown color ensures that it effortlessly resonates and blends with your interior décor. Its subtle nature and color mean that you will enjoy excellent service without necessarily making a statement.

In most cases, this wood would come in handy for commercial use.

Pros

  • Suitable for people with allergies
  • Effortlessly blends with your interior décor
  • Assures you of consistency in color
  • Relatively durable
  • Does not emit fragrances and toxins, as it is hypoallergenic

Cons

  • Mot ideal for those who want aromatherapy

 

  • Cedar

The natural resistance of cedar to moisture has made it popular among many sauna builders.

Regardless of how much the temperature fluctuates, this wood will barely contract or expand. For this reason, you will not have to worry about warping. If you are looking for durability, this is it.

You will fall in love with the aromatic fragrance this wood offers. Thanks to this, it will naturally repel insects, giving you the peace of mind you need. Its natural beauty will also get you smitten, and so will its color consistency.

Pros

  • Impressive resistance to moisture
  • Unrivaled durability
  • Less susceptible to temperature changes and warping
  • Suitable for aromatherapy

Cons

  • Might barely blend with your interior décor

 

  • Eucalyptus

This wood is yet another option for those who prefer no scent. Its consistency and durability will often get users smitten. Further, it will comfortably suit in any room, as it takes stains without much hassle. This option is suitable for anyone on a tight budget.

This wood is barely bold or flashy, thereby blending with your interior décor without too much hassle.

Since it comes with no toxins, this product will come in handy for most allergic people. As long as you do not lean on its bark, you will have no reason to worry about any skin reaction.

Pros

  • Comes with no odor
  • Sturdy, resistant to decay, and durable
  • Assures you of consistency in color
  • Unrivaled beauty
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Comes with no scents

 

  • Hemlock

From its budget-friendliness to the sweet aroma it produces, this wood will suit many people. Its consistent look makes it ideal for long term use on infrared saunas.

This wood is relatively inconsistent when it comes to color. Besides, be ready for its knots too. That should not mean that Hemlock is not beautiful. For this reason, you will be free to have it in your room, as it will barely compromise your décor.

Pros

  • Assures you of unrivaled affordability
  • Comes with a distinctive aroma
  • Suitable for indoor use

Cons

  • Susceptible to natural decay

 

  • Spruce

The use of spruce is attributed to how sturdy it is and the heat retention abilities it has. While it is a softwood, you will be sure of enhanced longevity.

However, this wood is relatively inconsistent when it comes to staining. There are also chances that it could end up warping, making it ideal for low-end infrared saunas.

Pros

  • Relatively affordable
  • Unmatched heat retention
  • Relatively durable

Cons

  • Inconsistency in color staining

 

  • Poplar

Poplar is one of the most available woods for infrared saunas. It is hypoallergenic, meaning that it will come in handy for people with allergies. You will also get smitten by how resistant it is to various elements.

Besides its durability, you will fall in love with the impressive appeal it will provide you.

Its color variants will get you smitten. Usually, you will choose between pale yellow and white shades. Further, it provides you with enhanced color consistency, ensuring your sauna looks modern.

Pros

  • Readily available
  • Enhanced durability and moisture resistance
  • Does not emit toxins or cause reactions
  • Easy to work with, as it is soft

Cons

  • Not ideal for aromatherapy

 

  • Pine

Here is yet another affordable option at your disposal. It prides itself on enhanced moisture resistance, assuring you of lesser susceptibility to shrinking and swelling.

Further, its soothing aroma will ensure that you have a fulfilling time in the sauna. That you will find it in multiple colors can only make the deal much sweeter.

It would be fair to mention that pine is one of the softest and pliable woods. That means you will hardly stay with it as long as you would with the other options. Despite this, you will be smitten by how resistant it is to swelling, and shrinking will never happen.

What is more, you will be free to pick a color of your choice whenever you settle on pine. Whether you need light brown, red, or yellow pine, you will be sure of a perfect choice.

Pros

  • Assures you of no warping
  • Guarantees you of unmatched beauty and elegance, thanks to multiple color choices
  • Comes with a unique fragrance

Cons

  • Not suitable for people with allergies or sensitive skin

 

If you are choosing wood, the ultimate choice would be poplar. While poplar is the most expensive of them all, you will be sure of enhanced longevity and value for your money.

Further, this wood is widely recommended by clinicians across the globe, thanks to the health benefits it provides. Its hypoallergenic nature makes it a choice for everyone, regardless of their health status.

Poplar boasts of incredible abilities to detoxify one’s body. While this is so, you will not have to worry about chemical sensitivity. As long as you have a poplar infrared sauna, you will be confident of getting enough relaxation without compromising your health in the long run.

 

What Is the Best Wood for Infrared Sauna?

infrared sauna wood choosing guide

There is hardly a one-dimensional answer to this. However, Basswood, Poplar, Cedar, and Hemlock have proven to be relatively popular.

Thanks to their enhanced resistance, you will be sure of building a long-lasting infrared sauna whenever you use either of these woods. The fact that they are scentless and hypoallergenic makes them ideal for most people.

Regardless of that, here are insights into which option will work out for you. Ensure that your choice has the following characteristics.

  • Impressive crushing strength

Unmatched crushing strength will often speak to enhanced durability. It highlights the less likelihood of wood cracking.

  • Elegant appearance

The appearance will often depend on how consistent staining is. Your chosen wood must boast of more effortless blending with interior décor.

  • Highly resistant to decay

With a product that is resistant to decay, you will be ready to use it both indoors and outdoors.

  • Lesser wood toxicity

You barely want a product that will expose you to skin reactions. Good wood will hardly be toxic for you.

  • Comes with good wood weight

Improved wood weight means that your sauna will be durable and less susceptible to decay.

 

How to Choose the Right Wood for Your Infrared Sauna?

cheap infrared sauna wood

Various aspects go into the selection of your infrared sauna wood. While the selection process could prove a little complicated, it is barely an impossibility. Take the time to observe the following variables, and you will be good to go.

  • Longevity

Nothing could be as important as the lifespan your chosen wood provides. It will be fair to focus on something that will last you for a relatively long time. That means that the wood should comfortably resist moisture and heat, without necessarily getting any damage. Longevity is vital for anyone looking forward to saving on costs.

  • Scent

Undoubtedly, not everyone will be comfortable with the scents produced by different woods. For this reason, take the time to identify which option will capture your fancies. Too much odor could end up irritating you.

Further, such will be the time for you to confirm whether specific woods could expose you to chemical sensitivity. If certain woods have adverse effects on you, including irritation, it will only be fair for you to stay away.

  • How available is it?

You will barely appreciate scarcely available wood. What if you need to repair or replace certain parts of your sauna? Such inconveniences are not worth it.

For this reason, ensure that you focus on something that is within your reach. For instance, if poplar is abundant within your region, let it be your priority.

  • Cost

Take the time to understand which option will suit your budget. Focusing on affordable options will cushion you against various financial constraints at the end of the day.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, never shy away from investing as much time as possible in finding the best wood for infrared. It is the only way for you to realize the value for money that you envision.

With the insights provided above, making the right decision will hardly be an issue. Embrace the right one!