Wood and Materials
Clear Western Red Cedar is the gold standard — naturally antimicrobial, dimensionally stable through thousands of heat cycles, aromatic and comfortable against skin. SaunaCloud uses clear-grade kiln-dried cedar with no veneers, plywood or particle board.[1]
| Wood | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Western Red Cedar | Antimicrobial, stable, no off-gassing | Highest cost |
| Canadian hemlock | Lower cost, light color | Warps more, no cedar oils |
| Basswood / poplar / pine | Budget | Degrades, splits, sap (pine) |
| Plywood / particle board | — | Avoid inside: urea-formaldehyde off-gasses when heated |
Never seal, stain or paint interior cedar. Use furniture-grade bench hardware, tempered glass, water-based glues (e.g. Titebond) and no synthetic heater covers.[1]
References
- Engineer's Guide. SaunaCloud. Retrieved 8 Sep 2026. https://saunacloud.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-building-your-own-custom-infrared-sauna/