Our Finnish Roots
Make it stand out.
We grew up spending summers and snowy weekends in our grandparents’ wood‑fired, Finnish sauna they built decades ago in their backyard. Health, warmth, laughter—and the unique rhythm of hot, cold, rest, rinse, repeat—shaped our childhood and left us with a deep love for authentic Finnish sauna culture.
A Taste That Never Faded
As we traveled across North America, we kept searching for that same experience. But hotel saunas and gym “saunas” never came close. Most felt like dry, airless hot boxes—no gentle heat, no fresh air, no connection to the ritual. Sadly, some Finnish sauna enthusiasts speculate that many people in North America buy a poorly designed sauna and lose interest after a year or two. As Trumpkin’s Notes On Building A Sauna put it bluntly: “90% of saunas in North America are bad. The other 10% are worse.”
That reality sparked a mission: bring the authentic Finnish sauna experience to life here, using design principles that actually work. Sauna should be a weekly ritual that lasts a lifetime, not a fad that becomes obsolete after a year or two.
At Timber Sauna Co., we take our cues from the masters. Every detail—from ceiling height and bench placement to air flow and heater choice—follows time-tested Finnish practices and a close consult on a number of sauna building resources:
What we did about It
Shout out to Glenn Auerbach (SaunaTimes) Lassi Liikkanen (Secrets of Finnish Sauna Design) and Walker Angel (Trumpkin’s Notes On Building A Sauna)
Timber’s Sauna Philosophy:
Saunas should be built here like they are made in Finland
• Purpose‑driven design/engineering: Beautiful, thoughtful exteriors, high benches (feet above the stones if you want) , proper ceiling height, and convective heat flow create that enveloping warmth.
• The Best wood‑fired or electric heaters in the world: for soft, gentle löyly steam and a dense heat that penetrates to your bones.
• Ventilation done right: fresh air and downdraft systems so you breathe cleanly and relax deeply.
• Fresh and hygienic: great drainage and easy-to-clean interiors keep your sauna smelling fresh—not like a gym locker room.
• Thoughtful cooling and rest zones: showers and quiet spaces to complete the authentic Finnish cycle.
If you’re ready to leave behind mediocre heat and musty smells for real löyly and real quality, welcome home.
