Cedar is a premium sauna wood prized for its natural moisture resistance, dimensional stability, distinctive aroma and appearance, staying cool to the touch and resisting warping and decay — at a higher cost. Pine is an economical, widely used softwood that performs well as sauna lining when properly dried and finished, offering a lighter look and lower price, though some pines can be more resinous and less naturally moisture-resistant than cedar. For an outdoor cold-climate sauna, cedar is the premium choice for benches and lining where budget allows, while good sauna-grade pine is a sound, cost-effective option; both work when the wood is suitable and the build handles moisture properly.
Line a sauna interior and the choice of wood shapes how it looks, smells, feels and lasts. Two of the most common contenders are cedar and pine — one a premium, aromatic wood, the other economical and widely used. Neither is simply better; each has a place. This guide compares them for a cold-climate outdoor sauna, so you can spend your budget where it counts.
Cedar: the premium wood
Cedar is prized for sauna use because it:
- Is naturally moisture-resistant and resists decay.
- Is dimensionally stable — resists warping through the heat-and-humidity cycle.
- Stays relatively cool to the touch — valued for benches.
- Has a distinctive aroma and appearance.
The trade-off is cost — cedar is a premium wood. But its performance and character are why it’s the go-to for quality sauna interiors, especially benches.
Pine: economical and widely used
Pine is an economical, widely available softwood that performs well as sauna lining when it’s suitable sauna-grade wood, properly dried and finished:
- Lighter look, lower price.
- Widely and successfully used for lining and structure.
The cautions: some pines are more resinous (and can weep in heat) and less naturally moisture-resistant than cedar — so choosing good-quality, appropriately dried pine and managing moisture in the build matters.
Side by side
| Quality | Cedar | Pine |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture resistance | High (natural) | Good if well dried/finished |
| Stability | High | Good; some resin risk |
| Cool to touch | Yes — noted | Works; less noted |
| Aroma / look | Distinctive, premium | Lighter, plainer |
| Cost | Premium | Economical |
Cool to the touch: why it matters for benches
Cedar’s reputation for staying cool to the touch is a real advantage for benches — the surfaces you contact directly in a hot room. Pine works for benches too, but cedar’s cool-to-touch quality, moisture resistance and stability are why many people prioritise cedar for benches specifically. See bench design.
The budget-smart approach
A common, sensible strategy:
- Use cost-effective pine for much of the lining.
- Reserve cedar for benches and surfaces you touch.
This balances budget against cedar’s premium qualities where they matter most — comfort and contact. See best wood for a sauna for the fuller picture, and compare cedar vs hemlock for another option.
Common mistakes
- Using resinous or unsuitable pine that weeps in the heat.
- Poorly dried wood that warps or moves.
- Ordinary finishes or varnish — use only sauna-appropriate treatment, or bare wood.
- Spending on cedar everywhere when pine lining plus cedar benches suffices.
- Ignoring moisture management in the build regardless of wood.
Next steps
Choose cedar where its premium moisture resistance and cool-to-touch comfort count — especially benches — and good sauna-grade pine for economical lining. Whatever you pick, ensure the wood is suitable and well dried, the build handles moisture, and finishes are sauna-appropriate. See best wood for a sauna to weigh all the options.
Frequently asked questions
Is cedar or pine better for a sauna?
Cedar is the premium choice — naturally moisture-resistant, dimensionally stable, aromatic and attractive, staying cool to the touch — at a higher cost. Pine is economical and widely used, performing well when properly dried and finished, though some pines are more resinous and less naturally moisture-resistant. Neither is simply 'better': cedar excels where budget allows, especially for benches, while good sauna-grade pine is a sound, cost-effective option. Both work in a well-built, moisture-managed sauna.
Why is cedar used for saunas?
Cedar is prized for sauna use because it's naturally resistant to moisture and decay, dimensionally stable (resisting warping in the heat-and-humidity cycle), stays relatively cool to the touch, and has a distinctive pleasant aroma and appearance. These qualities make it excellent for benches and lining in a sauna's demanding environment. The trade-off is cost — cedar is a premium wood — but its performance and character are why it's so popular for quality sauna interiors.
Can you build a sauna with pine?
Yes — pine is widely and successfully used as sauna lining and structure, provided it's suitable sauna-grade wood, properly dried and finished. It offers a lighter look and a lower price than cedar. The main cautions are that some pines are more resinous (which can weep in heat) and less naturally moisture-resistant than cedar, so choosing good-quality, appropriately dried pine and managing moisture in the build matters. Many good saunas are built with pine.
Does cedar stay cooler than pine in a sauna?
Cedar is noted for staying relatively cool to the touch, which is valued for benches and surfaces you contact directly in a hot sauna. This is one of the reasons cedar is favoured for bench material. Pine also works for benches, but cedar's cool-to-touch quality, along with its moisture resistance and stability, is part of why it's considered premium. For benches specifically, many people prioritise cedar for this comfort.
Is pine cheaper than cedar for a sauna?
Generally yes — pine is an economical, widely available softwood, while cedar is a premium wood at a higher price. This cost difference is a major reason people choose pine, especially for larger areas of lining. A common approach is to use cost-effective pine for much of the build and reserve cedar for benches and surfaces you touch, balancing budget against cedar's premium qualities where they matter most.
What wood is best for sauna benches?
Benches are the surfaces you contact directly, so woods that stay cool to the touch, resist moisture and don't splinter are favoured — cedar is a classic premium choice for exactly these reasons, though other suitable sauna woods including certain pines and aspen are also used. Whatever the wood, benches should be smooth, splinter-free, and kept bare or treated only with sauna-appropriate products. See our guides on best wood for a sauna and bench design.
