How Does Alphasauna Select High-End Sauna Materials Wood?

Material selection is the most fundamental and critical step for suppliers in constructing a high-end sauna room. Whether it’s an outdoor wood sauna or an indoor sauna room, the quality of the sauna materials directly affects the product’s lifespan, user experience, comfort, and overall value.

However, in today’s saturated sauna market, with a wide range of wood options and inconsistent craftsmanship, many customers and B2B clients find it difficult to make decisions. Even when the materials and dimensions appear identical, some suppliers’ sauna rooms are priced much higher, so what exactly makes them more expensive? And what does that “expensive” really mean?

As China’s leading sauna manufacturer, Alphasauna is committed to selecting only high-end, premium-quality sauna materials. We transform each piece of wood into a sauna space that embodies both health and aesthetics, delivering comfortable and cost-effective sauna products to our users.

This article will take you through Alphasauna’s journey—from log procurement to finished sauna rooms—and explain why our products may be priced higher than others with similar specifications, and why Alphasauna is the sauna supplier truly worth your investment.

Outdoor Wood Sauna–High-End Wood Procurement

In the sauna industry, high-end is not just a market positioning—it’s a commitment. Premium sauna materials not only elevate the product’s overall grade but also enhance the user experience, health, safety, and brand value.

Alphasauna understands that only the most original, natural, and pure wood can create a truly high-quality sauna. That’s why we have established a strict screening process for wood procurement. We conduct field investigations in countries such as Canada, the United States, Finland, and Switzerland to evaluate the factory strength and material quality of local wood suppliers. All selected suppliers must hold certifications such as FSC, PEFC, or other recognized standards to ensure sustainability.

Alphasauna commonly uses high-grade woods such as Canadian red cedar, Canadian hemlock, Finnish pine, Japanese hinoki, Japanese cedar, heat-treated pine, and heat-treated hemlock. Among them, Canadian red cedar is a particularly rare and sought-after material in the market, presenting a sourcing challenge for many sauna manufacturers. However, through our robust supplier network, Alphasauna is able to offer customers large-scale customization of Canadian red cedar saunas, maintaining both supply stability and product quality.

Outdoor Wood Sauna – Preliminary Wood Cutting

Procurement of wood materials is only the first basic step for Alphasauna. After the sauna wood is properly dried, our craftsmen move on to the next stage: marking and cutting the wood according to the customer’s specifications. Each piece is carefully inspected for texture, knots, color consistency, and cracks, ensuring that only the highest-quality sections are selected for use.

Color

No matter the type of sauna wood, the first indicator of quality is color uniformity. High-quality wood should exhibit a consistent tone from end to end, without noticeable bands or patches of uneven shades. Any discolored areas are removed during the cutting process. Additionally, if the wood shows signs of black, green, or blue spots—often caused by moisture, mold, or fungal growth—those sections are also discarded to maintain product integrity and appearance.

Texture

The wood grain texture plays a crucial role in both the aesthetic and structural stability of the sauna. Messy or irregular grain patterns may lead to warping or deformation during processing and use. These parts will be removed. In contrast, high-quality sauna wood features smooth, straight, and fine-grain lines, making it easier to work with, more stable, and visually appealing in the finished sauna.

Knots

Natural wood often contains knots, but not all knots are acceptable. Knots are typically classified as either live knots or dead knots:

Live knots are tightly bound to the surrounding wood. They are stable and do not easily fall out, making them acceptable for use in many parts of the sauna.

Dead knots, on the other hand, are loosely attached and prone to falling off, potentially creating holes or cavities. These not only damage the sauna’s appearance but also weaken its structure, and must therefore be removed.

Additionally, any knots located in stress-bearing areas or at joint sections of the wood are eliminated regardless of type.

Cracks

Cracks can occur during harvesting, transportation, and natural aging of the wood. Small surface cracks may be removed through sanding, but deep internal cracks are a sign of low-grade wood and are discarded. Likewise, severe end-grain or longitudinal cracks can extend during further processing and compromise the structural integrity—these parts are also eliminated during screening.

High-Standard Sauna Construction

The above process outlines Alphasauna’s initial wood screening mechanism. In our commitment to quality, only the best portions of each log are selected for sauna construction. As a result, a significant portion of raw wood is discarded, leading to higher material waste—but ensuring a superior sauna product that reflects our brand’s dedication to craftsmanship and excellence.

Sauna Wood Sorting and Slotting

After the wood is initially cut, the third step involves manual sorting and slotting.The cut wood is sorted according to length and grade, and allocated for use in different parts of the sauna room—such as walls, benches, and accessories. During the slotting process, craftsmen follow detailed sauna room drawings to shape the structural components,carefully sanding, cutting, and slotting each wooden board for a precise fit.

At this stage, issues like insect damage, woodworms, or poor internal quality may become visible. If such defects are found, the wood will be either reworked or elimination to maintain quality standards.

Tips:

1.Shop grade originates from the North American wood grading system and is a standard classification for wood quality.

2.Wood classified as Shop typically has no knots, a uniform texture, and no cracks—making it the highest grade and also the most expensive. Shop 1 wood may have a small number of knots or slight color variations and is more cost-effective.

Semi-Finished Product Inspection for Outdoor Wooden Saunas

After our craftsmen have finely cut and polished the structural components of the sauna room according to the drawings, we proceed with assembling the semi-finished products using the prepared wood. A third round of wood inspection is then conducted to ensure that all pieces align properly within the overall structure of the outdoor wooden sauna.

The initial assembly includes putting together the front and rear panels to verify precise mortise-and-tenon joints and seamless alignment with the side walls. Next, the benches are installed and tested for flatness, stability, proper alignment, and secure fitting.

Pre-assembling the semi-finished sauna structure helps detect and resolve potential issues—such as wood deformation, misaligned slots, or instability—before final installation. If problems arise, components may be adjusted, replaced, or re-slotted as necessary. A successful semi-finished assembly also significantly reduces on-site installation errors and adjustments.

Outdoor Sauna Final Assembly

After the semi-finished components pass inspection, the selected sauna wood is transferred to the assembly workshop for final product testing. This step is not only the last quality check of the sauna materials, but also a complete installation test of the finished outdoor wooden sauna.

Traditional Sauna Room Wallboards

The wallboards are the primary visual and structural materials of the sauna room, directly influencing its overall appearance and aesthetic appeal. There are two common approaches to constructing sauna walls: using full-length boards from floor to ceiling or assembling the walls with shorter spliced boards. Each method has its own advantages and trade-offs in terms of appearance, structural integrity, and cost.

1. Full-Length Boards

Sauna walls made from full-length boards offer smoother lines and a more cohesive, premium look. Structurally, these walls are less prone to issues like gaps or deformation caused by thermal expansion and contraction, making them more stable and durable. This method is ideal for high-end custom sauna rooms, such as those in luxury villas or commercial spa settings, as it enhances both visual continuity and perceived quality.

However, full-length boards demand higher-quality logs, which are more difficult and costly to source. As a result, saunas constructed with full-length wood are typically priced at a premium in the market.

2. Spliced Boards

Spliced boards consist of multiple shorter wooden pieces assembled to form the sauna wall. Visually, this approach offers a distinct aesthetic with a handcrafted, layered look. Structurally, however, the joints between boards are more vulnerable to the effects of thermal expansion and contraction compared to full-length boards.

Despite this, spliced-board saunas are more cost-effective and easier to maintain. In the event of localized damage, individual sections can be replaced without dismantling the entire wall. This makes them a practical option for standard mid-range sauna models, offering a good balance between aesthetics, functionality, and affordability.

Outdoor Wooden Sauna Solid Wood Base

In the sauna market, the most commonly used bases are generally divided into two types: solid wood bases and fiberglass bases. The use of solid wood bases requires high-quality and structurally sound sauna wood, which must also undergo the same strict screening and processing steps mentioned above. If any quality issues are identified, the wood must be reworked or discarded.

Solid wood bases are commonly made from pine due to its naturally large size, which allows for the construction of highly integrated, one-piece bases. In contrast, other types of wood may require splicing, which can reduce both durability and aesthetic appeal.

Moreover, heat-treated pine offers significantly improved resistance to moisture and decay, making it an ideal material for outdoor sauna applications.

Sauna Material Wood Doors

Common sauna door types include solid wood doors, tempered glass doors, and hybrid doors (a combination of solid wood and glass). Solid wood sauna doors are typically constructed using a spliced structure to prevent cracking or warping caused by uneven stress in the high-temperature sauna environment.

Additionally, natural sauna wood is limited in length, width, and thickness. Large-sized boards are relatively more expensive and harder to source. However, if customers have specific customization requirements, Alphasauna’s suppliers are fully capable of meeting those needs.

Summary

The above outlines the rigorous process Alphasauna follows to select and prepare premium wood materials—one of the key reasons why our prices may be higher than those of other suppliers using similar materials. We are committed to offering only safe, comfortable, and high-quality sauna rooms to both individual customers and B2B clients, ensuring they receive products with true long-term value.

If you are looking for fully customized sauna solutions, feel free to contact us. Based on your unique requirements, Alphasauna provides end-to-end service—from initial concept to final product—to bring your ideal sauna space to life.