Western Red Cedar Sauna Wood

Western Red Cedar sauna wood here is ProSaunas cedar paneling and bench wood, sold by the board. ProSaunas calls Western Red Cedar the traditional sauna wood in North America and selects it with smooth, even, straight grain and a consistent light reddish-brown color. Cedar comes as paneling and bench wood only; there is no matching cedar trim.

Western Red Cedar for sauna paneling and benches

Western Red Cedar sauna wood: what is available
Board	Grade	Actual size	Lengths
1/2x4 V-joint paneling	Clear	0.45″ × 3.72″, covers 3.52″	1–13 ft
1x4 nickel-gap paneling	Clear	0.69″ × 3.38″, covers 3.0″	1–10 ft
1x4 V-joint paneling	Select tight knot	0.7″ × 3.34″, covers 2.95″	1–8 ft
1x4 bench wood	Vertical grain	0.69″ × 3.5″	1–10 ft
1x6 bench wood	Vertical grain	0.69″ × 5.44″	1–8 ft
2x4 bench wood	Clear	1.5″ × 3.5″	1–10 ft
2x4 bench wood	Select tight knot	1.5″ × 3.5″	1–8 ft
4x4 bench wood	Clear	3.5″ × 3.5″	3–6 ft

According to ProSaunas, cedar stays comfortable to the touch in high heat, naturally resists decay, rot and insects, and contains organic compounds that help repel water. Clear boards show smooth, even grain; select tight knot boards have more rustic character, with defined tight knots, rich color and a pronounced grain pattern. The boards are sold unoiled.

Where each cedar board goes

The 1/2x4 and 1x4 boards line the walls and ceiling; the 1/2x4 is the one to choose for long walls, at up to 13 ft. ProSaunas recommends the clear and vertical-grain cedar bench boards for sauna benches, skirts and floors, the select tight knot 2x4 for benches, and the 4x4 for bench legs, bench supports or a support beam. For corners and the door frame, sauna trim comes in other woods.

Western Red Cedar sauna wood or a cedar sauna

This page is the lumber for building a sauna room yourself. Complete saunas built in cedar, delivered as a kit or assembled, are on the cedar saunas page.

Western Red Cedar sauna wood next steps

Comparing woods: every species, paneling profile and bench size is on the sauna wood page.
Planning the room: doors, windows and lighting are in sauna building materials.
Not sure how much to order: send your room size to Topture's Lifetime Expert Support.

Reviewed October 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Western Red Cedar good for a sauna?

Western Red Cedar is a traditional sauna wood in North America. ProSaunas says it stays comfortable to the touch in high heat, naturally resists decay, rot and insects, and contains organic compounds that help repel water.

What is the difference between clear and select tight knot cedar?

Clear cedar has smooth, even grain without knots. Select tight knot cedar has more rustic character, with defined tight knots, rich color and a more pronounced grain pattern.

Is there Western Red Cedar sauna trim?

Not here. Western Red Cedar comes as paneling and bench wood; trim is available in Aspen, Thermo-Aspen, Alder and Thermo-Radiata Pine.

How is sauna wood shipped?

Sauna wood ships to the contiguous US at one flat freight rate per order, set by the number of boards across all the sauna wood in the cart and the length of the longest board. The rate table is in the Shipping tab on every sauna wood page. Boards over 10 ft and orders of 1,000 boards or more are quoted after you order.