Five minutes on a cedar bench, then five minutes on alder, and you’ll feel the difference. Alder runs a little cooler under bare skin, and it doesn’t bleed resin onto light-colored towels. This 2×3 bench board is the one we reach for when someone wants a classic Finnish look without the cedar price tag.
The S4SEE profile means surfaced four sides with eased edges: smooth where you sit, the corners just rounded enough that the edge doesn’t bite. At 1.1" thick (1.1 in) and 2.56" wide (2.6 in), it’s the narrow bench board in our alder line. Build tight-spaced or give it breathing room, it works both ways. Milled by ProSaunas in Estonia from natural alder, E1 certified for ultra-low emissions.
Why Alder
Alder sits right between pale aspen and the darker thermo woods in both tone and character. Warm reddish-brown, fine even grain, a mild honey-like aroma when the steam hits it. Thermal conductivity around 0.12 W/m·K, which means it won’t scorch. It’s been a staple Finnish sauna wood for generations because it works: water-repellent, non-resinous, comfortable. One honest caveat: natural alder is a soft wood. It will pick up dents and scratches over time, same as any unmodified sauna wood. If you want something harder, look at the thermally modified versions. But if you want the warm, classic look of a Finnish sauna, this is it.
Specifications
- SKU: PS-ALDER-2X3-S4SEE-SHP
- Species: European Alder (natural)
- Profile: S4SEE SHP bench board
- Thickness: 1.1"
- Width: 2.56"
- Available lengths: 1 ft, 10 ft
- Price: $4.00 per linear foot
- Made in Estonia by ProSaunas
- E1 certified, ultra-low emissions
Where it goes
Benches, backrests, and skirting. Use it alone for a narrow-board bench with visible gaps, or run it alongside the 2×6 for variation. Pairs well with Grace alder wall cladding for a fully matched room. Works on sauna floors too, though plan for more frequent refinishing there.
Shipping and samples
Sold by the linear foot. Shipping is a flat $795 to the continental US, or free when you order it with a heater. We keep free samples on hand: text your name and shipping address to (844) 565-1113 and we’ll get one out to you.
Call Ben² at (844) 565-1113 if you’d like to talk through the board count before you order.
Prebuilt
Sauna Brushes
Vents