Thermowood in saunas: how material choice shapes design and comfort
Heat-treated wood is increasingly chosen for sauna interiors because it gets a dark tone without chemicals and resists moisture. Jēkabpils manufacturer O’wood by Ošukalns describes its benefits.
The sauna in a modern home increasingly serves as a relaxation area, which raises interest in finishing materials that combine design, comfortable contact with skin and an ecological origin. Jēkabpils-based manufacturer O’wood by Ošukalns describes the use of heat-treated wood in saunas and offers such materials in its online shop.
Dark tones without chemicals
Light-coloured wood used to dominate saunas, but darker, richer shades, including the “smoke sauna” look, are now in demand. Thermowood is made by heating timber above 215°C using only water steam. The wood turns dark brown throughout its cross-section, so no artificial tinting is needed. This can be achieved with aspen or knotless pine, for example. According to the source, the colour lasts for years, even after intensive use.
Safety and skin contact
For bench boards, the highest quality is recommended: Grade A, meaning a smooth surface without damage or defects. Thermowood has lower thermal conductivity than untreated wood, so the bench surface heats up less and is more pleasant and safe to touch. In softwoods, resin is removed during heat treatment, so it cannot leak out.
Microclimate and durability
Untreated wood, such as linden, can release its own natural aroma, while heat-treated boards create a different microclimate. A sauna has high humidity and sharp temperature swings. Heat treatment removes sugars and other nutrients from the wood, so the boards do not attract insects and are protected from rot and mould. They hardly react to moisture: they do not swell, crack or warp, so maintenance requirements are minimal.
O’wood’s online shop offers wall and ceiling boards in various profiles and sizes, as well as bench materials, including the FORTO bench system. Delivery is available across Latvia.
