Real wood belongs in a Finnish sauna. It is advisable to use wood for the interior decoration of the sauna, because wood is very resistant to temperature and humidity changes and, best of all, it has natural antibacterial properties. Antibacterial means that the material has properties that kill bacteria or prevent their reproduction. Wood's antibacterial protection is based on extractives, which are nature's own protective mechanism. For example, conifer resin has been found to have a limiting effect on the growth of bacteria and fungi.

Wood is also a porous material, which means it dries faster and does not provide a fertile moist surface for bacterial growth. Combine this with the extracts from the wood that inhibit bacterial growth, and you have a healthy and safe material for your sauna.

Take care of these things when decorating your sauna

The interior design of the sauna should be done carefully to ensure that the wood can withstand the demanding conditions of the sauna. We've put together a few things you can do to ensure that your sauna interior is made to withstand long-term use.

Protect wood from moisture

The long-term durability of wood is improved by the surface treatment of the wood. The preservatives in surface treatment products prevent excessive moisture from being absorbed into the wood. It is advisable to decorate the sauna with concealed sauna panels. With concealed panels, the fixing marks are always hidden under the next panel and the result is a nail-free wooden surface. Water and contaminants cannot damage the wood through the nail holes.

With prefabricated, industrially finished sauna panels, decorating your sauna is quick and easy. Not only are the panels coated with an even layer of preservative, but the points of the panels are also protected so that no unsightly streaks appear between the panels as the wood wets and dries. So always make sure that any wood materials you put in your sauna are properly treated. Only well treated products will withstand years of wear and tear. Treated panels are also easier to clean, as they are easier and better to clean.

If you have to cut panels when decorating your sauna, the cut surfaces of the panels must be treated carefully. Water absorbed through the panel cut-outs can cause cracks in the sauna interior. Always make sure that the surface treatment you use is suitable for the sauna interior. Paints and varnishes should not be used in sauna interiors as they do not allow the wood to breathe.

Take care of ventilation

Decorating a sauna is not just about material choices. Good ventilation also contributes to a comfortable sauna. Ventilation provides oxygen for wood burning and air circulation in the electric stove. It also brings oxygen-rich air to breathe and removes sweaty air from the sauna. Acidic baths are good for a long sauna. The lack of oxygen and high carbon dioxide levels caused by poor ventilation quickly make you feel tired, and even in the most beautiful sauna you won't be able to sauna for many minutes.

The ventilation taken into account in the interior design of the sauna has a decisive influence on the durability of the sauna. Proper sauna ventilation keeps the sauna rooms fresh and dry between baths. It is also important to remember to ventilate the sauna thoroughly after a sauna session, so that the structures dry out and excess moisture evaporates. If the sauna is not properly ventilated, a foul, stale smell will be left in the room. You may even have to renovate your sauna, as inadequate or ineffective ventilation can cause rot damage to both the sauna and the washrooms.

Sauna is the last thing to be decorated

Whether you're building a new sauna or renovating a sauna, it's a good idea to plan your sauna interior carefully. Real wood panels should be purchased 1-2 weeks before the installation date. Panels used for sauna decoration should be stored at the same temperature at which they will be used and kept on a flat surface off the ground. The ideal temperature for storing panels is 15-22ºC. Also check that the humidity in the room is not too high. Remember that building heaters or other heat sources must not be used in the same room as the panels.

The interior decoration of the sauna should be done during the finishing phase of the house construction. The interior panels are not resistant to fluctuations in humidity during construction. For example, wet work in damp areas in the sauna interior should be carried out before the sauna panels are installed. If the wet work is done after the panels have been installed, the wood will absorb moisture and swell. This damages the sauna interior and often makes the panels unusable.

Take care of the cleanliness of your sauna properly

Sauna surfaces remain beautiful and durable when the sauna is carefully decorated and used correctly. In the sauna, water should only be thrown on the heater, not on the walls or the ceiling. A tablecloth or other seat cover should be used to protect the boards and make sitting on a hot surface comfortable.

The interior of the sauna remains in good condition when the sauna is dried after use. Keep the heater on for 30 minutes after the sauna. This will keep the sauna surfaces dry and in good condition year after year.

Decorating the sauna in white

The white colour is ideal for small saunas. White brings light and space into a small space. The STRUKTUURI sauna panel is a stunning, pure white panel without the creamy tinge usually associated with wood. The panel's embossed surface brings nature close with its beautiful branch patterns and wood grain.

To decorate a white sauna, you can also choose white LAUDE wooden planks for the ceiling. This will give the whole sauna a fresh white and uniform look.

Decorating the sauna with pearl shades

Decorating your sauna with pearl shades will add a mystical atmosphere to your sauna. The pearlescent surface of the STRUKTUURI panel glistens subtly in the light and is sure to leave no one cold. The pearl grey shade is perfect for the entire sauna interior and the dark interior can be lightened with a light-coloured ceiling material.

Warm pearl brown is a brand new shade for the modern sauna. The pearl pattern on the brown softens the brown tone and elegantly highlights the spruce branches and scalloped pattern. The pearl brown sauna panel is paired well with the wide, translucent grey LAUDE wood panels, which add a touch of coolness to the modern sauna interior.

Decorating the sauna with black

Decorating the sauna with black-finished wood brings a smoke sauna-like atmosphere to the sauna. Black tones can be found on KUULAS panels as well as on the embossed surface of STRUKTUURI panels. The black panels go beautifully with the light-coloured tiles, which soften and illuminate the dark interior of the sauna. You can also continue the dark interior by choosing the black LAUDE wood panels to complete the sauna's smoke sauna-like interior down to the last detail.

Decorating the sauna with elm trees

Ash and birch are beautiful materials for the interior of the sauna. The light but lively surface of ash is beautiful on the VIRE panel. The three-dimensional surface of the VIRE panel offers many possibilities for sauna lighting. Decorating the sauna with indirect light brings out the three-dimensional shape of the panel in an interesting way, allowing light and shadow to play on the surface of the wood.

Birch has a smoother surface than ash. For example, the minimalist design of KOO panels beautifully brings out the natural beauty of birch. The 21 mm thickness of KOO panels is also a durable material option for sauna interiors. The panels can be easily sanded and refinished over the years. The disadvantage of birch is that it is more difficult to install than other materials. Birch panels have a strong will of their own and often become twisted while waiting to be installed.

Decorating a sauna with two types of wood

For the more adventurous, you can combine two types of wood in your sauna. The calm white and black tones of KUULAS panels can be combined with ash or birch, for example. Black wall surfaces and a ceiling and main wall decorated with ash add a touch of style to your sauna.