Are you finally ready to build that sauna you've been thinking about for the last several years? If you want to get it finished by the time the cold weather settles in, you need to get started. The first thing you need to do is select your lumber. Here's what kinds to consider.

Western Red Cedar

Western red cedar is a highly traditional choice for saunas. It's a soft, light wood, characteristics which make it a natural thermal insulator, so it reacts well to all the expanding and contracting that occurs from the heating and cooling of the sauna. It's also an effective noise reducer, which is something to consider when you're thinking ahead to the soothing, relaxing atmosphere that your sauna should have.

Western red cedar is also valued for a few other reasons: it's pitch and resin-free, making it easy to stain just about any shade that you want. It also resists water damage and bug infestations. This wood is also known for its distinctive smell -- which increases when it is exposed to heat. If you love the smell of cedar chests or closets, you'll love the smell of a cedar sauna when it's warm.

White Aspen

If you suffer from allergies, however, or just find the smell of cedar to be overbearing, consider using white aspen for your sauna. White aspen is actually recommended by doctors for people trying to detoxify their bodies or for people with allergies. Because it is non-allergic, hospitals in Europe use aspen for their saunas.

Like cedar, aspen is soft and tolerates heat well. It's pale color is attractive to a lot of people who prefer a clean look, and it is highly resistant to rotting and warping. 

Hemlock

Today's sauna market includes infrared saunas, which use light to create heat, unlike traditional saunas, which use steam heat to warm and moisten the air. Infrared saunas are credited with relieving inflammation, improving circulation, eliminating toxins, and balancing cortisol levels to help you control stress. Hemlock is considered to be an excellent choice for infrared therapy saunas. 

Hemlock, like aspen, doesn't give off a strong scent, which makes it good for allergy sufferers. Because it is non-toxic and hypoallergenic, this wood appeals to a lot of people who are trying to detox their bodies or who suffer from chemical sensitivities. Hemlock can also maintain a higher temperature than other woods and is naturally resistant to warping.

While there are other types of wood on the market that can be used for saunas, research carefully before you select one. While hardwoods like oak and hickory are beautiful lumber for most construction, they don't handle heat and moisture well. They can crack and warp from the expansion and contraction because they don't have the flexibility inherent in a softer wood. They can also get too hot to the touch, very easily, when the sauna heats up. If you decide on something other than cedar, aspen, or hemlock, make sure that is suitable for this particular project. Contact a company like Henning Building Supply Co Inc for more information.