Cedar shakes are more than a material choice at Harbor Saunas - they are a deliberate connection to centuries of coastal architecture. We use them with purpose to ground our sauna builds in the visual and structural language of Northeastern and Scandinavian maritime design.

Seen most prominently on the porches of our saunas, cedar shakes are a defining feature. Treated in either a Weathered Grey Pre-Patina or a Black Viking Linseed Oil, they provide an immediately established look, invoking the timelessness of salt-weathered cabins and coastal shelters built to last through harsh seasons.

In this article, we’ll explore the legacy of cedar shakes, why we use them, and how they elevate the longevity, aesthetic, and regional identity of every sauna from Harbor.

Cedar shakes have a long-standing role in the architecture of North Atlantic coastal regions—from the shores of New England to the fjords of Norway. Builders chose cedar for one reason: it lasts.

Unlike other softwoods, cedar resists rot, repels insects, and weathers without losing integrity. Early coastal builders, with limited access to modern treatments or sealants, split cedar by hand into shakes and layered them in overlapping rows on exterior walls and roofs. The angled placement helped deflect wind and water, while the natural oils in the wood prevented decay.

Over time, the sun and salt air turned these cedar shakes from warm red-brown to soft silver-grey—a look that came to define entire architectural regions: Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, the Hamptons, and maritime fishing villages across the North Atlantic.

The same technique appears in Scandinavian boat sheds, sauna outbuildings, and coastal barns—structures designed to take a beating from the elements, year after year.

That’s the legacy we draw from at Harbor.

Cedar shakes endure not just because they’re rugged, but because they age well. In a world of materials that fail with time, cedar becomes more beautiful and character-rich the longer it’s exposed to the elements. It’s a rare combination of durability and dignity—a quality we believe all good architecture should have.

When applied using traditional techniques—shakes layered in offset patterns with proper ventilation and exposure—they create a breathable, protective skin for a structure. They’re not trying to seal the building in—they’re letting it live.

This approach aligns directly with how we design our saunas: natural materials, layered intelligently, meant to adapt to their environment, not resist it.

We don’t use cedar shakes everywhere. We use them where they matter.

On our saunas, cedar shakes are placed on the porch surrounds—the transitional zone between the sauna’s interior and the surrounding landscape. This placement is a visual and functional cue: you’re stepping into something crafted, grounded in place, and built to last.

These cedar shake facades provide contrast to the cleaner lines of thermally modified wood or glass, and help soften the threshold between modern form and natural setting. They nod to old structures—boathouses, smokehouses, cabins—without replicating them. It's about echoing the past, not mimicking it.

While the form and material remain consistent, the finish you choose tells a different story. At Harbor, we offer two treatment options for cedar shakes: Weathered Grey Pre-Patina and Black Viking Linseed Oil. Each brings a distinct regional aesthetic and functional benefit.

This finish is a direct reference to the coastlines of the Northeast—Cape Cod, Maine, Long Island—where cedar-clad homes have weathered naturally into soft, silver tones. We accelerate that process with a pre-patina treatment that gives the wood the look of age from day one.

The grey tones blend seamlessly with fog, dune grass, rock, and sea. They don’t compete with the natural environment—they sit quietly within it.

Benefits of the weathered grey finish:

• No waiting period for even aging
• Low maintenance over time
• Seamless integration with coastal or natural landscapes
• A timeless, understated look rooted in regional vernacular

For those drawn to darker, bolder finishes, we offer a linseed oil treatment that references Scandinavian and Viking preservation techniques. Heated raw linseed oil—often mixed with natural pigments—is applied deeply to the cedar shakes, giving them a rich, matte black finish.

This method doesn’t just color the wood—it seals and nourishes it. It’s a tradition used on cabins, fences, and saunas across Norway and Sweden to protect against moisture and wind.

The result is a dark, dramatic tone that accentuates modern architectural lines, while still drawing from a deep well of historical craft.

Benefits of the black linseed oil finish:

• Deep protection from UV and moisture
• A bold contrast to light wood or glass
• A connection to Nordic sauna heritage
• A finish that develops patina, not wear

We believe in material honesty. That means using materials in ways that make sense—not hiding them, not forcing them, and not finishing them beyond recognition.

Cedar shakes are honest. They are raw, resilient, and beautiful in their natural state. They don’t need synthetic coatings or false texture. That’s why our treatments are subtle, breathable, and designed to let the material age with integrity.

In a sauna, where natural heat, air, and rhythm define the experience, the materials surrounding that experience should reflect the same principles. Cedar shakes do that—quietly, and over time.

Our saunas are designed for four-season use, and cedar shakes perform year-round:

• In winter, their layered structure deflects snow and cold wind.
• In summer, their breathability helps regulate surface temperatures.
• In wet climates, they repel water and resist mold.
• In dry regions, they age gracefully without cracking.

And thanks to the treatments we apply, they require minimal upkeep. Both the weathered grey and black linseed oil options are designed to resist fading, peeling, or uneven wear. They’re low maintenance, high character—just as a good exterior material should be.

Every sauna from Harbor is built to last and age timelessly. We build with the mindset that this sauna might be around in 30 years, still functioning, still beautiful, still in use.

Cedar shakes support that vision. They’re time-tested. They have survived coastal storms, sea air, harsh winters, and hot summers for generations. When we build a sauna porch with them, we’re not just adding texture—we’re adding longevity, cultural memory, and design clarity.

At Harbor Saunas, we’re not just building outdoor saunas—we’re building structures that belong. Materials like cedar shakes ensure that each build doesn’t just look good the day it arrives—it looks better five, ten, twenty years later. Because good design isn’t just about first impressions—it’s about aging well.

When you see cedar shakes on the porch of a Harbor Sauna, you’re seeing a piece of architectural language that has spoken quietly for centuries. It says: this structure belongs here. It was built for this place, in this weather, with this intent.

When designing your sauna with Harbor, you’ll have the option to choose between weathered grey or black viking cedar shakes for your porch surround. Each carries history. Each shapes how your sauna feels and fits into its environment.

Whichever you choose, you’re joining a lineage of structures that respect climate, place, and purpose. That’s what Harbor is built on.

Ready to begin your design? Explore our finishes, material options, and architectural inspirations by visiting your design page, or get in touch with our team to start your build.