Short answer: Canadian hemlock is the best all-around wood for infrared saunas — stable, odor-neutral, and hypoallergenic. Western red cedar is aromatic and beautiful but can irritate sensitive users. Basswood is the top pick for allergy sufferers. Here's how to choose based on your priorities.
For more details, check out our guide on Wood Types: Which Is Best? (Ce.Why Wood Type Matters in a Sauna
The wood in an infrared sauna isn't decorative. It's structural, thermal, and sensory. The wood you sit on and breathe around for 30–45 minutes daily affects:
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Air quality and scent — some woods emit strong aromatics when heated
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Allergenicity — aromatic compounds (terpenes) affect sensitive users
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Thermal performance — low-conductivity woods stay cool to touch at high temperatures
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Durability — how the wood handles years of heat cycling and sweat exposure
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Aesthetics — grain, color, and aging characteristics
The three woods used in 95% of quality infrared saunas are Canadian hemlock, western red cedar, and basswood.
The Three Main Sauna Woods Compared
Canadian Hemlock ⭐ Best All-Around
What it is: A softwood native to western Canada. Not the same as hemlock pine — western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) is a premium, clear-grained construction wood.
Color: Light cream to pale tan. Brightens most rooms.
Scent: Very mild. Almost odor-neutral when heated. Does not emit strong aromatics.
Thermal properties: Excellent. Low thermal conductivity means the wood surface stays touchable even at operating temperature. Benches don't burn the backs of your thighs.
Durability: Highly stable. Resists warping and cracking through repeated heat cycles better than cedar. Tight grain means less oil absorption — easier to keep clean.
Allergenicity: Very low. Safe for virtually all users including those with chemical sensitivities.
Aging: Stays light-colored for years. Gradually deepens to a warm honey tone over time.
Best for: Daily users, families, anyone with sensitivities, those who prefer a neutral environment for meditation or work sessions.
Peak Saunas uses: Canadian hemlock as standard across all models. Our view: it's the most consistent performer across all use cases.
Western Red Cedar
What it is:Iconic sauna wood. The smell of cedar IS the smell most people associate with saunas — though that's traditional Finnish culture, not infrared-specific.
Color: Rich reddish-brown. Dramatic, warm grain patterns.
Scent: Strong, distinctive cedar aroma when heated. Some people love it. Some find it overpowering within 10 minutes.
Thermal properties: Good, but slightly less stable than hemlock under repeated heat cycling. Can develop small surface cracks over years.
Durability: Cedar's natural oils resist bacteria and mold. But those same oils absorb into bench surfaces and can become rancid over time if not maintained. Requires more frequent bench cleaning.
Allergenicity: Moderate to high. Western red cedar contains plicatic acid — a potent allergen for some people. It's the #1 cause of occupational asthma in woodworking. At sauna temperatures, off-gassing increases. People with cedar allergies, asthma, or chemical sensitivities should choose hemlock or basswood.
Aging: Darkens significantly with use. Red tones fade to a silver-gray if exposed to light/UV. Beautiful patina, but dramatic change from new.
Best for: Users who love the aromatherapy experience, people without sensitivities, traditional aesthetics fans.
Note: The aromatic properties of cedar have antibacterial effects on the wood itself — so the wood is self-sanitizing to a degree. The bench surfaces still need regular cleaning.
Basswood (White Basswood / Linden)
What it is: A fine-grained North American hardwood with an almost completely neutral profile.
Color: Very pale cream, almost white. The lightest of the three.
Scent: Essentially none. Zero aromatics at any temperature.
Thermal properties: Excellent. Even lower thermal conductivity than hemlock — the coolest surface to the touch of any sauna wood.
Durability: Good. Slightly softer than hemlock, so it shows dents and scratches more easily, but it's very dimensionally stable.
Allergenicity: Lowest of all sauna woods. The go-to choice for people with MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity), respiratory conditions, or known wood allergies.
Aging: Stays very pale. One of the most consistent-looking woods over time.
Best for: Anyone with allergies, asthma, chemical sensitivities, or MCS. Also great for medical/therapeutic contexts where scent neutrality matters.
Quick Comparison Table
Hemlock Cedar Basswood
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Scent Mild Strong None
Allergenicity Low Moderate Very Low
Durability Excellent Good Good
Thermal comfort Excellent Good Excellent
Maintenance Low Moderate Low
Aesthetics Light/warm Rich/dark Very pale
Price Mid Mid-High Mid
What About Other Woods?
Some manufacturers use alternative woods. Here's what to know:
Eucalyptus: Becoming popular in premium builds. Naturally antimicrobial, beautiful grain, mild scent. Sustainable. Worth considering if available.
Poplar:Budget option. Very neutral, very light. Less durable than hemlock long-term. Often used in entry-level saunas.
Spruce/Pine: Avoid in infrared saunas. Both contain resins that become sticky and release chemical odors at elevated temperatures. Common in traditional Finnish saunas (which run hotter and dry faster) but problematic in infrared.
Thermally modified wood (Thermo-wood): Heat-treated to eliminate resins and improve stability. Excellent performance, higher price. Used by some premium manufacturers.
Which Wood to Choose: Decision Framework
Choose hemlock if:
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You want proven, low-maintenance durability
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You use your sauna daily or multiple times per week
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Families or multiple users share the sauna
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You prefer a neutral sensory environment
Choose cedar if:
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You love the classic sauna aromatherapy experience
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You have no scent sensitivities
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Aesthetics and tradition matter to you
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You're willing to maintain it more frequently
Choose basswood if:
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You have allergies, asthma, or chemical sensitivities
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You're using the sauna therapeutically (health conditions, post-chemo, etc.)
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You want the absolute coolest-feeling bench surfaces
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Scent neutrality is a priority (children, sensitive users)
Does Wood Affect Infrared Performance?
No. The wood type has zero effect on the heaters' output, wavelength, or infrared penetration. Those are determined by the heater technology (carbon fiber vs ceramic) and placement.
Wood affects your sensory experience and the sauna's longevity — not its therapeutic output.
How Peak Saunas Sources Its Wood
All Peak Saunas models use Canadian hemlock sourced from sustainably managed forests in British Columbia. Our hemlock is:
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Kiln-dried to 6–8% moisture content (prevents warping)
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Clear-grade (minimal knots)
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Free from chemical treatments, preservatives, or coatings
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Dimensionally consistent for airtight panel-to-panel assembly
We've used hemlock since day one after testing all three major woods. For daily-use infrared saunas, it consistently outperforms cedar on longevity and outperforms basswood on aesthetics.
FAQ
Is cedar or hemlock better for an infrared sauna? Hemlock edges out cedar for infrared-specific use. Cedar's aromatics are beautiful but can be overpowering in an enclosed infrared sauna (which runs at lower temperatures than traditional saunas, meaning you're inside longer). Hemlock's neutrality, stability, and low allergenicity make it more practical for most users.
Does cedar make a sauna smell like cedar? Yes, intensely when new, moderately when seasoned. Many users love this. If you've ever been in a closet lined with cedar — it's similar but amplified. If that scent gives you a headache, choose hemlock or basswood.
Can I have a sauna made with custom wood? Some manufacturers offer customization. Ask about eucalyptus or thermally modified wood options if your specific needs aren't met by the standard three.
Does the wood affect EMF? No. EMF is entirely determined by the heater technology and wiring, not the wood species.
How do I know if my sauna has quality wood vs cheap wood? Look for: knot-free (clear grade) panels, consistent color throughout, tight grain visible in cross-section, no chemical smell when cold. Budget saunas often use knotty hemlock, pine, or poplar — all inferior for longevity.