Our Approach to Wood Care

Our approach is aimed at maximizing the traditional finish and sauna construction you’d see in a Finnish / Scandinavian sauna with non-toxicity and low maintenance.

Finishing Wood

Exterior

Exterior oil finish for raw wood: Rubio Monocoat Hybrid Wood Protector

We like this because it is non-toxic and an oil rather than a film that sits on top of the wood and peels off over time. This oil works well on all of our exterior wood choices and can be reapplied every couple of years.

Interior

Leave interior cedar walls unfinished for the best löyly sauna feel. You can protect your benches with a pure paraffin oil finish since you will be sweating on the benching and touching them during normal use.

Addressing Wood Cracks

Leave Alone - Normal Wood Behavior

• Hairline cracks

• Surface checking less than 1/8" (3 mm) wide

• Small end-grain checks

• Cosmetic cracks that don't collect water

Sand Splintered Edges

If a board edge is rough or splintering:

1. Remove loose fibers with a sharp chisel or utility knife.

2. Sand with:

   • 80 grit, then 120 grit

For Larger Cracks (1/8"–1/4")

If water can sit in the crack, repair it.

Epoxy filler can seal larger cracks. You can use small amount of products such as:

• Abatron WoodEpox

• System Three SculpWood

Steps:

1. Clean crack thoroughly

2. Allow wood to dry

3. Fill slightly wide

4. Sand flush after cure

5. Apply finish