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In a sauna, nothing is left to chance. The heat, the technology, the ergonomics… but above all the wood.

Far more than a simple aesthetic element, wood is fundamental to ensuring the comfort, performance, and longevity of a sauna. Wood species, thermal properties, sensations: here’s why the choice of wood is decisive.

Wood: A Material Naturally Suited to the Sauna

Excellent Thermal Insulation

The sauna is built on a simple principle: a gradual, enveloping rise in temperature. Wood possesses natural qualities perfectly suited to this purpose.

Wood is a natural insulator. It allows you to:

  • retain heat inside the cabin
  • avoid burning-hot surfaces in contact with the skin
  • ensure a consistent and pleasant temperature

Unlike metal or certain composite materials, wood remains comfortable even at high temperatures.

Hemlock wood

A Key Role in Comfort and Sensation

Gentle, Enveloping Heat

Wood contributes to the quality of the heat experienced. It absorbs and releases heat gradually, creating a soothing atmosphere, far from harsh sensations.

An Atmosphere Conducive to Relaxation

The sauna is a place of calm. Wood, through its texture, color, and sometimes its natural fragrance, promotes relaxation, letting go, and an authentic sensory experience.

It is a direct return to the very essence of the traditional sauna:

  • you enter the sauna in silence or in a peaceful atmosphere
  • the heat is intense but gradual
  • the experience is punctuated by rest phases

The sauna is above all a moment of connection with oneself, with nature, and with others.

The Most Commonly Used Wood Species in Saunas

Not all wood species are suited to a hot, humid environment.
Premium manufacturers select woods with specific properties.

Hemlock wood

Hemlock

Widely used in modern saunas:

  • light, uniform wood
  • excellent stability in the face of temperature variations
  • resin-free, splinter-free
  • low thermal conductivity

Hemlock is particularly valued for its comfort of use and contemporary aesthetic.

Red cedar

Red Cedar

A noble, traditional wood species:

  • naturally resistant to moisture
  • slightly aromatic
  • durable and robust

It evokes historic Nordic saunas and brings a strong sensory dimension.

Abachi wood

Abachi

An African wood renowned for:

  • its very low thermal conductivity
  • its soft touch, even at high temperatures

It is often used for benches and backrests, where direct contact with the body occurs.

A Matter of Durability and Quality

Wood is also a strategic choice for the long term.

Strength and Longevity

A well-selected and properly treated wood:

  • resists heat and moisture
  • retains its shape over time
  • limits warping and cracking

A Responsible Material

When sourced from sustainably managed forests, wood is part of a coherent environmental approach, aligned with current user expectations.

Wood, the Signature of Premium Saunas

In a quality sauna, wood is never a simple covering. It embodies:

  • the authenticity of the ritual
  • comfort of use
  • timeless elegance
  • product durability

This is why manufacturers like Holl’s pay particular attention to the choice of wood species, in order to offer cabins that are at once high-performing, elegant, and built to last.

Holl's wooden sauna