Cedar Barrel Sauna vs Thermowood Barrel Sauna: Which Is Better?

Picking barrel sauna wood is not like choosing a paint colour. Get it wrong, and you are dealing with warped panels, rot, or a sauna that just does not hold heat the way it should. Two materials keep coming up in conversations: cedar barrel saunas and thermowood barrel saunas. Both are genuinely good. 

But they are good in different ways, for different people, in different situations.
Here is what actually matters when comparing the two.

What Is a Cedar Barrel Sauna?

Canadian cedar has been the go-to sauna wood for a long time. There is a reason it stuck around. The wood is naturally resistant to moisture, smells incredible, and creates that warm, earthy atmosphere most people picture when they think of a proper sauna session.

Key characteristics of cedar:

•    Naturally aromatic, with a rich, distinctive scent that fills the room
•    Lightweight, which makes installation noticeably easier
•    Contains natural oils that slow down moisture damage and decay
•    Solid thermal insulation for steady, consistent heat
•    Beautiful reddish-brown grain that looks better with age, honestly

That scent is worth mentioning twice. Cedar aromatics are not just pleasant; they are part of the whole sauna ritual for many users. Thermowood cannot offer that. Not even close.

The honest downside? Cedar stains and darkens over time, especially in humid outdoor conditions. A little maintenance goes a long way, but it is still something to factor in.

What Is a Thermowood Barrel Sauna? 

Thermowood starts as ordinary timber, usually spruce or pine, and gets heat-treated at temperatures somewhere between 185°C and 230°C. That process changes the wood at a structural level. Less sugar content in the fibres, less food for fungi, far less water absorption.

Key characteristics of thermowood:

•    Dramatically reduced moisture absorption versus untreated wood
•    Strong dimensional stability, meaning warping and cracking become rare problems
•    Dark, rich brown finish that looks sharp and modern
•    Built for outdoor longevity, even in tough climates
•    Odour-neutral, which some users prefer and others find underwhelming

For a barrel sauna that lives outside year-round, thermowood is a serious contender. Rain in autumn, frost in winter, humid summers, it copes well. Better than cedar in raw weather resistance, if we are being fair.

The trade-off is exactly what you would expect. No scent. For some, that is a non-issue. For others, it removes something that felt essential.

Cedar vs Thermowood: Head-to-Head Comparison 

Which One Should You Actually Choose?

It comes down to priorities. Not a budget alone. Not just aesthetics. Actual use-case.

Choose cedar if:

•    The traditional sauna atmosphere is important to you
•    You love that warm, classic visual look
•    Occasional upkeep does not bother you

Choose thermowood if:

•    Your barrel sauna sits outdoors through all four seasons
•    Minimal maintenance is genuinely a priority
•    A modern, cleaner aesthetic fits your space better

Choosing the Right Sauna Wood: It’s About Fit, Not Perfection

Neither wood is the clear winner across every situation. Cedar brings tradition, scent, and warmth. Thermowood brings resilience, stability, and a very low-effort ownership experience. The right pick depends on your climate, your habits, and what the sauna experience actually means to you personally.

Sauna Shield carries both cedar and Thermowood barrel sauna options, with real guidance behind each one. Whether the sauna is going into a backyard, a garden, or an indoor space, the goal stays the same: the right fit, quality materials, and a build that holds up over years of use, not just the first few months.