Sauna panel selection guide: 5 crucial factors for a successful outcome

Sauna panels are more than just a surface material – they create the basic feel of the space and contribute significantly to its durability and functionality. With the right choice of panels, the sauna becomes the most soothing space in the home, where every detail is in harmony and the sauna culture can be enjoyed at its best.

Whether you’re building a new sauna or renovating an old one, it’s important to consider five key factors to achieve the perfect result. Here’s a look at these crucial factors that will help you make a successful choice and ensure that your sauna panels are perfect in both use and appearance.

Factor 1: Wood species – Balance of appearance, scent and durability

The choice of wood species has a significant impact on the atmosphere and durability of your sauna. Each type of wood has its own unique characteristics that make it more or less suitable as a sauna panel. By choosing carefully, you can ensure that your sauna is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also practical and durable.

Leppä – A classic choice with the dignity of time

Clapboard is one of the most classic options for sauna panels. Its warm reddish colour creates a cosy and pleasant atmosphere in the sauna. Alder is also known for not emitting resin, making it a practical choice for humid sauna conditions.

The benefits of a clapboard:

• A warm tone and a beautiful appearance.
• Does not emit resin – easy and clean to maintain.

Heat-treated aspen – A fresh and durable companion

Heat-treated aspen is a great choice when you’re looking for a darker shade for your sauna. It gives a modern look and adds space to the room.

Why choose aspen?

• A modern and fresh look.
• Good resistance to sauna temperature fluctuations.

Ultimately, the choice of the right type of wood depends on both aesthetic preferences and the use of the sauna. By balancing appearance, scent and durability, you’ll find the perfect material to make your sauna a functional and comfortable space for years to come.

Factor 2: Panel profile and width – How does shape affect the sense of space in the sauna?

The profile and width of the panel can have a significant impact on the visual appearance of the sauna, and therefore on its sense of space. When choosing the profile and width of the panels, consider the size of the sauna and the desired outcome. The choice can add to the sense of space or enhance the intimate feel of the sauna.

Panel profiles – from traditional to modern

The panel profile determines how the seams between the boards appear and how light plays on the interior surfaces of the sauna. The most popular profiles offer a wide range of possibilities for shaping the appearance of your sauna:

• Traditional straight seam: a classic choice, well suited to different sauna conditions. The straight seam allows the wood surface pattern to take centre stage.

• Bevel: Adds visual interest and creates a play of shadows. An excellent choice if you want a modern look.

• Hidden seam (flat seam): to create a soft and uniform impression.

Panel width – a sense of space and eye-catcher

The width determines the rhythm of the sauna. Narrower panels can add to the sense of space by creating more seams, creating a lively and rhythmic play of shadows. Wider panels, on the other hand, give a cleaner, calmer overall look and can open up the sauna space to a larger area.

When considering the feel of your sauna, think about how the profile and width of the panels combine to make the sauna look just the way you want it. Whether your goal is to add openness to the space or create an intimate nest, the right panel choices can create the atmosphere you want in your sauna.

Factor 3: Treatment – Natural, protected or tinted surface?

The way the panels are treated affects both the appearance and the practicality of the sauna. You can use the treatment to protect the wood from moisture, enhance its natural beauty or create a completely new look for your sauna. The treatments therefore offer a wide range of possibilities to personalise the visual appearance and moisture resistance of your sauna.

Natural surface – authenticity and genuineness

The natural treatment preserves the authenticity of the wood and allows the sauna to breathe. This treatment enhances the wood’s own tone and texture, creating an authentic and natural feel. It is the perfect choice if you appreciate the inherent beauty of wood and want to bring it out.

Protective materials – Durability and easy care

The use of preservatives gives panels extra durability and makes them easier to maintain. Special oils and waxes prevent moisture absorption into the wood, extending the life of the panels and keeping them looking as fresh year after year.

Tinted surface – Highlight or create a new look

Tinted treatments offer the opportunity to play with colour, enhance a natural wood tone or turn heads by creating a completely new look for your sauna. The different shades help you to adapt the design of your sauna to your wishes.

When choosing how to treat your sauna panels, think about which features are important to you. Do you want durability and ease of maintenance, or is the unique appearance of the wood a priority? Whatever your choice, the right treatment will enhance both the beauty and practicality of your sauna.

Factor 4: Installation orientation – Vertical or horizontal paneling and its practical implications

The direction of installation is an important factor that affects the appearance of the sauna, its spatial appearance and practicality. By choosing vertical or horizontal panelling, you can personalise the visual appearance of your sauna and add a sense of space, either vertically or horizontally.

Vertical paneling – Highlight height

The vertical paneling creates the illusion of a higher space, making the sauna feel more spacious and airy. This trend emphasises the height of the space and can make even a small sauna look more spacious. Vertical orientation is also a traditional and timeless choice that suits many styles.

The benefits of vertical panelisation:

• Emphasises the height of the space.
• A natural and elegant look.
• Ideal for small spaces that need a sense of space.

Horizontal paneling – Increasing width

The horizontal paneling spreads the view laterally, making the sauna optically wider. This installation orientation lends a modern look to the sauna and brings out the beautiful linearity of the panels. Horizontal paneling can also be a simple way to add spatial interest to a larger sauna.

The benefits of horizontal paneling:

• Makes the sauna feel wider and more spacious.
• A modern and clean look.
• Accentuates the horizontal lines and wide surfaces of the sauna.

The direction of installation may seem like a simple decision, but it can determine the whole atmosphere of your sauna. Think about the impression that is important to you and what will best enhance the features of the space. Whichever you choose, the right orientation will complement the overall look of your sauna and make it exactly what you want it to be.

Factor 5: The harmony of the whole – Matching the panel to the ceiling and other furnishings

When designing the perfect sauna, it is important to ensure that every aspect blends together and forms a harmonious whole. The panels, ceilings and other interior elements of the sauna should blend together, creating a cohesive look that invites relaxation. A consistent colour scheme and choice of materials will enhance the style and character of the sauna.

The interplay of panel and ceiling

Match panels and ceilings in terms of materials and shades. If your sauna panels are light aspen, it may be a good idea to choose tiles in the same shade or slightly darker shades to create contrast. This will create a seamless transition and give your sauna a calm visual look.

Suitable materials and colour combinations:

• Light aspen: Goes well with ash or muted tinted ceilings.

• Warm alder: The natural reddish tone of the wood can be enhanced with deeper coloured tiles.

• Dark heat-treated wood: creates a modern atmosphere and works perfectly with light or aluminium details.

Other furnishings – Finishing details

The interior does not end with panels and ceilings. Choose the lighting, doors and textiles that suit your sauna and support the style you have chosen. Dim lights and warm textiles invite you to relax, while modern glass doors and shiny metallic details can give your sauna a trendy finish.

It’s all about the whole – design a sauna that’s just the way you want it, in terms of style and atmosphere. When all the elements harmonise, your sauna becomes a personal retreat, offering peace and enjoyment with every use. Harmony and harmony make your sauna a timeless and elegant space.

Bring your ideas to life – try our free design tool and build the sauna of your dreams