Combining design elements and build technique from the Northeast with Scandinavian minimalism, our saunas draw inspiration from the timeless structures found still standing throughout these maritime regions. By taking a nod from these structures and integrating modern build standards with a blend of time-honored and contemporary materials, our saunas honor this centuries-old ritual while reflecting the same thought and intention found in working coastal buildings.
Primary Building Materials
Cedar Shakes
Cedar shakes are a time-honored exterior material we use across our exteriors, selected for their durability and proven performance in harsh coastal environments. Drawing from working maritime architecture, the technique of cross-layering these shakes was developed to withstand wind-driven rain, salt air, and long winters along exposed coastlines. By intentionally layering the cladding, the structure is able to shed water while allowing the assembly beneath to breathe - an approach carried through each installation, with every shake treated and hung entirely by hand.
Cedar Tongue & Groove
Cedar is a foundational material used throughout our builds, selected for its durability, stability, and natural resistance to moisture in demanding environments. Long utilized in coastal and Nordic construction, it performs reliably across both exterior and interior applications - from cladding and structural elements to benches and wall surfaces. Its ability to withstand exposure while aging with character makes it well-suited to sauna construction, where heat, humidity, and time are constant factors.
Brass
Valued for durability and the way it weathers in corrosive environments, brass is material with a rich history supporting maritime builds.
Within our saunas, it serves as a quiet statement found on the exterior. Over time, its surface softens from bright gold to deeper, richer tones, developing a patina that reflects the passage of time in the surrounding landscape.
Steel
Selected for its proven performance in exposed environments, we utilize a textured 26-gauge standing seam steel across our sauna roofs.
Secondary Building Materials
01
Ash
Offered as a premium exterior cladding selection for our saunas, thermally modified ash from Arbor Wood provides exceptional reliability in environments prone to moisture.
With each passing season in the elements, ash will naturally silver, resembling the coastal structures that inspire our builds.
02
Copper
Complementing our exterior brass fixtures, we offer the copper and brass outdoor shower from ORCA, a shower that sits quietly within the elements and will look better with age.
03
Douglas Fir
Douglas fir is used selectively across our builds for its strength, stability, and clean, consistent grain. Long relied on in structural applications, it offers a dependable foundation where precision and durability matter most.
04
Tempered Glass
Tempered glass is integrated throughout our builds to introduce light, openness, and a direct connection to the surrounding landscape without compromising performance. Engineered for strength and safety, it is designed to withstand the thermal stress of sauna environments while maintaining clarity over time. Used across doors and expansive glazing, it balances durability with restraint - framing views while holding up to the demands of heat, moisture, and daily use.
05
Olivine Stone
Olivine stone is used within our heaters for its density, durability, and ability to perform under repeated high heat. Its substantial weight allows it to retain and evenly release heat over time, while its naturally rounded form promotes proper airflow between stones. This combination supports a consistent, balanced löyly - producing a softer, more controlled steam that defines a well-functioning sauna experience.
Living Finishes that Echo Centuries of Maritime Architecture
Historically purposed materials and exterior finishes comprise our sauna exteriors. By looking to time-honored components of maritime architecture, we build with living finishes that will change and weather intentionally with the passage of time.
Our Weathered Grey and Black Viking exterior treatments are natural paints custom blended with raw linseed oil - traditionally used by Nordic builders to protect their homes, barns, and boats from the harsh coastal and winter climates. Unlike modern synthetic paints, linseed oil paint soaks into the wood rather than forming a brittle outer layer. This allows the wood to breathe, preventing moisture buildup, cracking, and rot, which were critical concerns in historic wooden buildings. These treatments nourish the wood while allowing the raw character to be exposed, continuing to weather with intention over the years spent outdoors.
Across our builds, each raw material will continue to evolve and patina year after year with exposure to the elements. The result is a structure designed not only to withstand decades outdoors, but to feel increasingly at home within the surrounding landscape.
Request Material Samples
Samples of our hand-selected standard exterior cladding options and roof color profiles are available at no charge. Request a sample kit directly from our production room floor by providing your address below.
