Costco Cedar Sauna Buyer's Guide: Wood Types Compared

Costco carries cedar saunas seasonally, and the search for a quality cedar sauna , or the cedar components to build or upgrade one , sends buyers in several directions at once. The Wood & Materials hub covers the full material spectrum, but cedar deserves focused attention: it behaves differently than hemlock or basswood in heat, moisture, and long-term durability. Understanding those differences changes what you buy.

Cedar’s aromatic oils, natural resistance to moisture absorption, and low thermal conductivity make it a legitimate first choice for sauna benches, backrests, and wall paneling. The products below cover that range , from a full infrared cabin with cedar exterior to individual boards and accessories.

What to Look For in Cedar Sauna Wood and Components

Species and Grade Matter More Than Brand

Not all cedar is the same species, and the species difference matters in a sauna environment. Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) and aromatic red cedar (Junisia virginiana) behave differently under sustained heat and humidity cycles. Western red cedar , used in most commercial sauna construction , has lower density, superior moisture resistance, and a stable grain that resists warping through repeated heat-and-cool cycles. Aromatic red cedar is denser, releases a more pronounced scent, and is more commonly found in smaller-format boards and accessories.

Kiln-drying status is a critical grade indicator. Green or air-dried cedar will continue to off-gas and shift dimensionally once installed in a sauna. Kiln-dried stock is dimensionally stable from the start, which reduces checking, cracking, and the gap problems that develop at board joints over time. Any cedar board used inside a sauna , benches, backrests, wall cladding , should be kiln-dried before installation.

Thermal Performance and Surface Safety

Cedar’s thermal conductivity is genuinely low compared to most construction lumber. That property is not incidental to sauna design , it is why cedar benches and backrests remain comfortable to sit and lean against even at high temperatures. Denser hardwoods absorb and retain heat in ways that cause burns on bare skin. Cedar does not.

Surface texture plays a related role. Rough-sawn or lightly sanded cedar runs a splinter risk after repeated heat-humidity cycles dry the grain. The practical standard for any contact surface is a smooth finish, achieved through planing and sanding to at least 120 grit. Knots in cedar boards pose a long-term risk on bench and backrest surfaces , the knot material contracts differently from the surrounding grain and can eventually loosen or protrude.

Finishing and Treatment Protocols

Interior sauna surfaces should not be finished with standard wood stains, polyurethane, or exterior sealers. Heat drives those compounds off the wood surface and into the air. Cedar’s natural oils provide sufficient moisture resistance for interior applications without any added finish. For exterior sauna surfaces , the outside of a barrel sauna, for example , a breathable exterior oil or a penetrating UV stabilizer is appropriate.

For components like backrests and benches that accumulate sweat and oils over time, the maintenance protocol is simple: periodic light sanding to refresh the surface, and natural oil treatments (tung oil, linseed oil) only for specific restoration work. Regular cleaning with mild soap and water is sufficient for routine maintenance. Exploring the full range of sauna wood options and materials before finalizing a build or renovation helps avoid substituting the wrong species or grade.

Dimensional Stability and Installation Fit

Cedar boards for sauna use need to be spec’d for the actual installation geometry before purchase. Bench planks require a specific width and thickness to carry body weight over the intended span without flex , typically 38, 40mm thick for unsupported spans over 400mm. Wall cladding runs thinner, but consistency of tongue-and-groove tolerances matters for the finished surface.

Smaller-format boards sold for crafts or grilling use are not dimensioned for structural sauna applications. They can serve well in limited roles , backrest construction, wall accent panels, accessories , but matching the actual dimensions to the application is the buyer’s responsibility. Measuring the installation space before ordering prevents the most common sizing errors.

Top Picks

PETSPICK Kiln Dried Red Cedar Bedding, 41L

The name creates reasonable confusion: this product is marketed as animal bedding, but kiln-dried red cedar shavings and chips have a legitimate secondary use in sauna contexts , specifically as aromatic additions to sauna accessories, storage areas, and lower-priority applications where the material’s aromatic properties matter more than its structural form.

PETSPICK Kiln Dried Red Cedar Bedding, 41L is kiln-dried, which means the moisture content is stable and the aromatic oils are preserved rather than already off-gassed. For buyers looking for the cedar scent experience rather than structural cedar boards, this format has uses. It is not a substitute for dimensional lumber, and owner reviews reflect that most buyers in this category understand the distinction.

The value proposition here is the aromatic application, not construction utility. Verified buyers note the scent is strong and authentic , consistent with properly kiln-dried western red cedar rather than the faded aromatic profile of lower-quality processed cedar products.

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16 Inch Long Aromatic Cedar Wood Boards

Aromatic cedar boards in this format serve a specific role in sauna accessory and smaller-panel applications. At 16 inches, they are appropriately sized for backrest slat construction, accent wall panels, and small decorative installations rather than full bench or wall-cladding projects.

16 Inch Long Aromatic Cedar Wood Boards are categorized as rustic craft wood, which carries an important implication: surface finish and dimensional consistency will vary more than milled construction-grade cedar. Verified buyers consistently note the aromatic profile is strong , aromatic red cedar releases a notably more intense scent than western red cedar , and that the boards are suitable for projects where character variation is acceptable or desirable.

For sauna bench or backrest surfaces where consistent surface smoothness matters for skin contact, plan for additional sanding work. The natural character of aromatic cedar, including grain variation and minor checking, is appropriate for accent applications and less appropriate for primary bench surfaces without finishing labor.

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12 Pack Cedar Planks for Grilling Salmon and More

Cedar grilling planks are food-safe, kiln-dried, and dimensioned for flat-surface use , which makes them a genuinely functional option for small sauna interior projects where their format works. The plank format is flat, dimensionally consistent, and available in a quantity that supports covering a modest surface area.

12 Pack Cedar Planks for Grilling Salmon and More are sourced and made in the USA, per the product description, and owner consensus in the grilling community points to consistent wood quality and absence of chemical treatments , an important baseline for any cedar going into a sauna interior. Verified buyers note the planks are smooth-surfaced and consistent in thickness.

The practical limitation is thickness and width: grilling plank dimensions are optimized for cooking applications, not bench spans or wall cladding. These work well for small-scale sauna accessory projects, floor mats, or decorative wall accents. For buyers who want to test cedar in a limited sauna application before committing to larger dimensional lumber, the format is reasonable.

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Outdoor Sauna 2 Person 1800W/110V Low EMF Dry Sauna Infrared Sauna for Home

This product is the closest match to what many buyers searching “Costco cedar sauna” are actually looking for: a complete, ready-to-assemble infrared sauna unit with red cedar exterior construction. The outer board material is red cedar; the interior boards are hemlock , a standard construction pairing that balances the cedar exterior’s weather resistance with hemlock’s interior thermal comfort characteristics.

Outdoor Sauna 2 Person 1800W/110V Low EMF Dry Sauna Infrared Sauna for Home runs on standard 110V/1800W, which makes it plug-in compatible without dedicated electrical work in most residential settings , an important practical threshold for buyers who want outdoor installation without electrician costs. The unit includes 8 heating panels, an LCD control panel, Bluetooth speaker, and tempered glass door. Owner reviews broadly support the construction quality description, with verified buyers noting the cedar exterior weathers well through multiple seasons.

The 2-person interior with hemlock bench surfaces and cedar exterior is a competent package for buyers prioritizing outdoor placement and plug-in simplicity. R/Sauna community members evaluating infrared units in this configuration consistently note that the hemlock interior performs well for heat distribution and skin contact comfort, while the cedar exterior handles moisture exposure that would deteriorate less weather-resistant species quickly.

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Northwood Sauna - Sauna Backrest - Handmade from Canadian Red Cedar Wood

A backrest is one of the highest-contact, most consistently used surfaces in any sauna interior , and cedar’s thermal properties make it the right material choice for the application. Leaning against a hot metal or hardwood surface is uncomfortable; cedar stays near ambient bench temperature even in a fully heated sauna.

Northwood Sauna - Sauna Backrest - Handmade from Canadian Red Cedar Wood is constructed from Canadian red cedar and shaped to an ergonomic S-curve that follows lumbar and upper-back contour rather than forcing a flat-back posture. Non-slip pads prevent movement on bench surfaces. Verified buyers consistently rate the fit against natural sitting posture as one of the product’s strongest attributes , the S-shape is a genuine ergonomic improvement over flat-plank DIY backrests.

The handmade construction from Canadian red cedar means the aromatic profile is present and authentic. Owner consensus notes the cedar scent is noticeable for the first several uses and moderates over time to a subtler background presence. For buyers adding a proper backrest to an existing sauna , whether a Costco cedar cabin or a DIY build , this is a straightforward, well-regarded upgrade.

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Buying Guide

Match the Cedar Format to the Application

Cedar products span a wide format range , shavings, craft boards, grilling planks, dimensional lumber, complete sauna cabins , and the right choice depends entirely on what you are actually building or buying. A complete infrared sauna unit is the right answer for buyers who want a finished, functional sauna with cedar exterior construction. Dimensional cedar boards are right for buyers adding benches, cladding, or interior surfaces to an existing structure. Backrest and accessory formats serve specific ergonomic and aromatic roles.

Mixing formats , using grilling planks for bench construction, for example , creates dimensional and structural mismatches that cause problems over time. The format decision comes first; product selection follows from it.

Infrared vs. Traditional: What the Cedar Exterior Covers

For complete sauna units, cedar exterior construction addresses weather and moisture exposure at the outside face of the cabin. The interior construction , bench material, wall cladding, ceiling , is a separate specification. In the 2-person infrared unit above, the interior is hemlock, not cedar. That is a common and functional pairing, not a quality compromise.

Buyers expecting an all-cedar interior from a “cedar sauna” unit should read the interior board material specification before purchasing. Traditional Finnish-style saunas run cedar or aspen interiors with cedar exteriors; many infrared units use hemlock interiors with cedar exteriors. Neither is wrong , they serve different construction priorities.

Electrical Requirements for Complete Units

Units above 2,000W typically require a dedicated 240V circuit. Buyers planning outdoor installation should verify the circuit availability at the planned installation location before ordering. A dedicated outdoor circuit with weatherproof outlet is best practice even for 110V units , extension cord installation is not appropriate for continuous-draw heating appliances.

The Wood & Materials section covers structural and electrical considerations for sauna installations in more detail, including guidance on which exterior wood species handle outdoor electrical enclosure proximity.

Cedar Maintenance Over Time

Cedar sauna surfaces require less maintenance than most buyers expect, and more than they often receive. The interior surfaces of a sauna , benches, backrests, wall cladding , should be left unfinished and cleaned periodically with mild soap and water. No sealers, stains, or penetrating oils belong on interior cedar sauna surfaces in normal use.

Exterior cedar surfaces on an outdoor sauna benefit from an annual application of a breathable exterior oil or UV stabilizer, particularly in climates with significant UV exposure or freeze-thaw cycling. This prevents surface graying and checking while allowing the cedar to breathe through seasonal moisture changes. Skipping this maintenance does not cause immediate structural failure but does accelerate surface deterioration.

Sizing and Capacity Decisions

The 2-person sauna footprint is the most common residential starting point and also the most commonly regretted for buyers who use their sauna regularly with a partner or family member. The interior dimensions of a 2-person infrared unit are genuinely tight for two adults using the space simultaneously.

Buyers with the outdoor space to accommodate a 3- or 4-person unit who purchase a 2-person unit to save money typically wish they had sized up within the first season. The reverse , buyers who purchase a larger unit than they regularly use , is less frequently a source of dissatisfaction. If the space permits a larger footprint, the capacity decision should be made on realistic usage patterns, not minimum viable floor space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cedar the best wood for a sauna interior?

Cedar is one of the two or three most appropriate species for sauna interiors, alongside aspen and certain grades of hemlock. Its low thermal conductivity keeps bench and backrest surfaces comfortable at sauna temperatures, and its natural oils provide moisture resistance without chemical treatment. The practical case for cedar is strong , it outperforms construction-grade pine and most hardwoods in both comfort and durability under heat-humidity cycling.

What is the difference between western red cedar and aromatic red cedar in a sauna?

Western red cedar is the standard for commercial sauna construction , lower density, superior moisture resistance, and stable grain that resists warping through heat cycles. Aromatic red cedar is denser, releases a stronger scent, and is more common in smaller-format boards and accessories. For structural sauna applications , benches, wall cladding, full cabin exteriors , western red cedar is the stronger choice. Aromatic cedar serves well in backrest, accessory, and accent applications.

Can I use cedar grilling planks for sauna bench surfaces?

Cedar grilling planks are food-safe and chemical-free, but they are not dimensioned for bench applications. The thickness is insufficient for unsupported bench spans, and the width is too narrow for comfortable seating. The 12 Pack Cedar Planks for Grilling Salmon and More are a reasonable option for small decorative panels or floor mat projects inside a sauna, but structural bench construction requires properly dimensioned lumber.

How does the hemlock interior of the 2-person infrared sauna compare to an all-cedar interior?

Hemlock performs comparably to cedar for interior sauna surfaces in most thermal and comfort metrics. It has slightly higher density than western red cedar, which means it retains heat marginally longer , not a meaningful difference for most users. The primary practical difference is aromatic: hemlock does not carry cedar’s characteristic scent. Buyers who specifically want the cedar aromatic experience inside the cabin, not just on the exterior, should factor that preference into the decision.

Does a cedar sauna backrest actually stay cool enough to lean against?

Cedar’s low thermal conductivity is the reason backrests are made from it rather than from metal hardware or hardwoods. The Northwood Sauna - Sauna Backrest - Handmade from Canadian Red Cedar Wood and similar cedar accessories remain near ambient bench temperature even in a fully heated sauna , they absorb heat slowly and do not concentrate it at the contact surface. Owner reports consistently confirm comfort at normal sauna operating temperatures.