Sauna bench boards complete your sauna – choose the right bench wood
A high-quality sauna bench board is at the heart of the entire sauna experience. Correctly chosen bench boards feel pleasant against the skin, withstand frequent use and put the finishing touch on the look of your sauna. In the CENT Brand Store selection, you’ll find domestic, carefully selected sauna bench woods – whether you dream of a modern, spa-inspired sauna bench or a traditional, minimalist sauna atmosphere. From the same place, you can get both individual bench boards and practical bench packages.
Choosing bench wood: spruce, pine, radiata pine or alder?
The wood for your sauna benches should be chosen based on both appearance and how the sauna will be used. CENT’s bench boards are available in several popular wood species:
Spruce: a light and timeless choice that suits almost any interior style. A bench board made from Finnish spruce creates a traditional and tranquil sauna look.
Pine: a naturally lively and warm wood species. Finnish pine bench wood brings a cosy and homely feel to the sauna.
Radiata pine (thermally modified): an elegantly brown and dimensionally stable option. A thermally modified bench board feels pleasant against the skin and withstands temperature variations very well.
Alder: a classic sauna wood that does not splinter easily and remains comfortable against bare skin. Finnish alder is an excellent choice when you want a soft and stylish sauna bench. Alder is a popular bench wood, and its availability may occasionally be limited. However, in our selection you will also find other excellent alternatives.
In our range you’ll find both knot-free and knotted, high-quality bench wood. This means you can decide whether you prefer as calm a surface as possible or a slightly more lively look for your benches. In a cottage sauna that stands unheated for parts of the year, the wood is put under extra stress, as temperature and humidity fluctuations make it move more than in a constantly heated sauna.
Installing bench boards – practical tips for a successful result
It’s worth planning your benches carefully before installation. Once the measurements and supporting structure are correct, the bench boards are easy to fasten neatly:
Plan the frame
Build the bench frame from durable structural timber and ensure sufficient load-bearing capacity. Remember to take into account seat height, leg room and any combination of upper and lower benches.
Leave proper gaps between the boards
Sauna bench boards are usually installed with a few millimetres to about one centimetre between them, so that water and moisture can drain away and air can circulate through the bench structure.
Fasten with screws
Bench boards are generally fastened with screws from underneath or by neatly countersinking the screw heads, so the seating surface remains as comfortable as possible and you don’t feel the screws against your skin.
Consider safety
In entry areas and on steps, it is important to invest in stability and sufficient depth. To help prevent slipping, you can also use gratings or mats.
In CENT’s online store, you’ll find bench boards in various lengths and widths, allowing you to size your sauna benches exactly to your own sauna without unnecessary waste.
Treating and maintaining bench wood
Even though many bench woods work well untreated, it is recommended to protect the benches with a suitable treatment product. This extends the lifespan of your sauna benches and makes cleaning easier.
Oiling or paraffin oil
A light oil treatment helps the bench boards repel moisture and dirt. Apply a thin layer of oil onto a clean, dry surface and wipe off any excess.
Colourless protection
If you want to preserve the natural tone of the wood, choose a colourless protective product specifically designed for sauna use.
Regular cleaning
The benches should be washed from time to time with a mild detergent and a soft brush. This way, the bench boards stay fresh and pleasant for many years.
Sanding
Over time, the benches may turn grey or develop small splinters. A light sanding followed by a new treatment can make the sauna bench wood look almost like new again.
When you invest in proper maintenance of your benches, your sauna experience will remain consistently enjoyable.
CENT sauna bench boards – a versatile Finnish selection
CENT Brand Store offers a wide range of sauna bench boards and bench wood for different types of saunas. The bench boards are sold in packs of 2–3 pieces and are available in different lengths, with both untreated and thermally modified options.
You will also find practical bench packages in the range, making it easy to build a sauna bench from well-designed sets.
Whether you are building a completely new sauna or updating old benches to new ones, CENT’s bench boards make the project smooth. Choose the bench wood that matches your taste, measure and size the benches carefully and maintain them regularly – this way you ensure that your sauna benches serve you and your loved ones safely and in style for many years to come.
