The 5 Different Types of Black Sauna Wood Finishes

Black saunas with large windows are the most popular style right now, but the way the sauna wood is darkened couldn’t be more different. The technique used has implications for the longevity and beauty of the black sauna wood, so make sure you know the difference.

To see what’s in stock, check our selection of black sauna woods stocked in USA here.

Already have the sauna and just want the outside black? That’s a job for paint, and the one we recommend is SaunaShield Black exterior sauna paint. More on it in Type 2.

Type 1: Shou Sugi Ban Black Sauna Finish

Shou Sugi Ban, also known as Yakisugi, is an ancient Japanese method of naturally preserving wood and it is really simple: you burn it! While techniques vary, the most common method used by sauna builders is the torch method. Nomad Sauna and New Primitive Saunas are known for this simple, time-honored method.

Softwoods like cedar are the best for Shou Sugi Ban, but almost any wood can be used. Hemlock, and Pine would be a good choice for a torched black sauna finish on a budget.

Type 2: Painted Exterior Wood

Paint is the fastest way to a black outdoor sauna, and it belongs on the outside only. Never paint the interior walls, benches or backrests.

Our pick for a black exterior

PROSAUNAS SaunaShield Black Exterior Sauna Paint

Water-based, semi-matte black for exterior sauna wood. One 0.71-gallon can.

Shop SaunaShield Black

The paint we recommend is PROSAUNAS SaunaShield Black, a water-based acrylate paint with oils and wax. It dries to a flexible, vapor-permeable, semi-matte black coat that protects exterior wood from weathering.

It’s also the paint behind the black SaunaLife barrels and cubes. Their black packages ship the kit with two or three cans of SaunaShield to apply during assembly (they don’t arrive painted), so the shell and exterior trim get coated before the door, trim and roof covering go on. Own a SaunaLife sauna in natural wood? The SaunaShield Black page lists how many cans each model’s black package uses.

Plan on at least two coats. Published coverage for one coat is roughly 116 to 175 sq ft per can on sawn wood and 232 to 291 sq ft on planed wood, with 3 hours before recoating and 24 hours to fully dry. Paint is a surface finish, so start with good wood underneath; SaunaLife barrel shells are thermally modified spruce. Want a different color? SaunaShield also comes in Dark Grey, Brown and Beige.

Type 3: Stained Sauna Wood

Like paint, stain is for the outside of a sauna only. It also has a dull look in our opinion. Stained black sauna wood is how ‘Almost Heaven‘ achieves the black Onyx finish on some of their saunas, and we generally don’t recommend it. Stain just isn’t something you want on or in your sauna space.

Nordic Spruce is an excellent choice for stained black saunas. Here it is on our SaunaLife G2 kit. Notice how you can still see the wood grain in detail.

Available here.

Type 4: Black Waxed Sauna Wood

Now we’re getting to the good stuff. Finnish companies have made natural sauna wax for decades and it gives the ‘smoke sauna’ look to modern electric saunas that no longer have shared walls. We love this look, especially the Tikkurila black wax that’s used by Thermory. Our favorite is the black waxed alder that’s available here.

We sell black waxed sauna paneling; inquire here for availability, lead times, and pricing. It is especially striking when paired with a light sauna bench material like Aspen.

Type 5: Thermally Modified Black Sauna Wood

Thermal modification is the cleanest, most durable method of making a sauna black.

Pictured here is the Thermory Ignite Black Barrel Sauna (NO 61).

Check it out here.

Finally, our favorite option is a new product from Thermory, called Thermory Ignite. It’s made to mimic the look and qualities of Shou Sugi Ban without the flame, and it actually does a better job of making the wood more durable because the wood is thermally modified all the way through, while the flame only reaches the outer layer (same with black wax, and paint).

For a striking example of Thermory Ignite paired with Thermo-Aspen walls, check out the Auroom Vulcana indoor sauna kit.

Auroom Vulcana masterfully uses thermally modified aspen benches with a backdrop of Ignite black cladding for a stunning sauna finish. Note the stealth vent and backlight, details Auroom is known for.

Bonus: Savusauna

Savusauna, or ‘smoke saunas’ are the original black saunas, and quite possibly the original saunas. They were developed before metal was available for chimneys. These are the original black saunas, because they were covered in soot. Believe it or not, the carbon particles in the soot are believed to help to keep the sauna clean, making it a safe and hygienic space.

They offer a unique and immersive sauna experience that is deeply rooted in tradition. These saunas are heated over several hours, a process that requires patience and mindfulness, adding to the overall therapeutic benefits of the sauna experience.

Conclusion

We recommend trying a savusauna (smoke sauna) if you get a chance, but if building a modern sauna you will want to try another method. For the cladding, we recommend thermal modification with spruce, black wax with alder, or Shou Sugi Ban. For a black exterior on a sauna you own or are assembling, use SaunaShield Black exterior sauna paint.