All Sun Stream Saunas are built entirely from 100% FSC Certified premium grade Canadian Hemlock. Many brands will use a less expensive soft wood timber for the internal frame. It is also common practice with many sauna brands to use plywood and particleboard hidden in the floor, ceiling, roof and elsewhere in the sauna, these are highly suspect for emitting formaldehyde when heated.
Our saunas are 100% Canadian Hemlock for the entire sauna, logged milled and kiln dried in BC Canada.
Canadian, BC Hemlock wood, also called Hemlock Spruce, is an exceptional lumber from the coniferous trees. As the most plentiful tree species on the coast of British Columbia, Hemlock is used in doors, windows, staircases, cabinets, mouldings, spindles and panelling. Hemlock wood is known for its even density & stability with little tendency to cup, check or twist. This combination of stability and smoothness makes Canadian Hemlock a perfect wood for the construction of Infrared saunas.
One of the most important considerations is a wood’s ability to resist splitting when repeatedly heated and cooled. Canadian Hemlock has a naturally strong resistance to warping and splitting due to its dimensional stability once dried, plus the added bonus of having good sweat stain resistance.
Unlike Cedar which can cause respiratory irritation. Canadian Hemlock is the perfect choice for people who have sensitive skin or allergies and cannot tolerate aromatic oils, perfumes, shampoo or herbs. Therefore, saunas made from Hemlock can result in a comfortable and refreshing experience for those who are sensitive.
Heartwood is light reddish brown. Sapwood may be slightly lighter in colour but usually isn’t distinguished from the heartwood. The conspicuous growth rings can exhibit interesting grain patterns on flat sawn surfaces. Grain is generally straight, but may be interlocked or spiralled.