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  1. #1
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    Feb 2022
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    Question What's the matter with white cypress?

    I'm currently embarking on a project to make a barrel sauna and am working out the best stock to use without breaking the bank.

    Wester red cedar is the clear favourite for this kind of project, but is also pretty darn expensive. White cypress pine seems much more affordable and available - I've used it a bit - it's sawdust has a lovely sauna-y smell and it seems to have much of the same qualities as WRC in terms of its resistance to rot and bugs. So I'm wondering - what am I missing here? Are there any reasons it would be a bad choice for this kind of project?

    dundalk-barrel-sauna-clear-with-porch_autumn_298d8399-9e77-4cb0-8f6b-2e62353a56f3_2000x.jpg

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  3. #2
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    Apr 2006
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    Default

    I would only consider Huon pine or hinoki.

  4. #3
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    Default

    I'd hate to imagine what that sauna would cost to make in WRC.
    Are saunas really that good?

  5. #4
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    Western Red Cedar and Redwood are the preferred timbers in the US and are indeed expensive: Even more expensive over here. Huon Pine I think, if you could get it, would require offering up both arms and both legs in payment and may reduce the neeed to have a sauna anyway.

    Cypress pine is quite resistent and would certainly prevent the white ants joining you, but it becomes brittle when dry. I have not heard of it being used, although that in itself is not a reason to avoid trying it. The picture shown above is a fairly ambitious design. This is a link to one of a series of videos made by my son in Norway. In one of them he made a portable sauna on a box trailer. It has been quite successful and his company are considering getting Simon to make another one as they hire it out.

    Building a portable Sauna #4 - NORTH & BEYOND (north-beyond.com)

    In the middle of the video they manage to have a drunken session with some local Finns when they sourced the heater from Finland: Just fast forward that bit. There is a little more detail on the build here:

    Building a mobile / trailer Sauna - NORTH & BEYOND (north-beyond.com)

    Regards
    Paul
    Bushmiller;

    "Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"

  6. #5
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    Feb 2018
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    Shepparton
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    when considering a sauna consider using a timber that won't smell when heated.That said i purchased a sauna in Australia and it is made of hemlock i think which is a British timber I think.[old moments are regular]

  7. #6
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    May 2011
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    Most of us on here, being from Australia, wouldn't know much about the North American White Cypress'. Are you considering the East Coast or West Coast species? From the little I've read it would seem that either would be suitable for your intended purpose.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
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    Wollongong
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    The Sauna I made was primarily of WRC, but would think that a good close grain softwood is the best choice. Possibly a white pine or fir.

    As mentioned previously here, White Cypress is prone to cracking and I think that the temperature extremes of a Sauna would only promote this. Pretty sure buckling would be another issue...

    Regardless of what you build, make sure that any metal fasteners are well concealed as skin contact will cause a nasty jolt or burn under high heat.

    Love that barrel Sauna look and have not seen those before. Very classy there.

    Here is a few pictures of our build.

    Cheers C.R.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  9. #8
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    Feb 2022
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by artful bodger View Post
    Are saunas really that good?
    Different strokes for different folks - I think they're pretty great!

  10. #9
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    Thanks Bushmiller. Ahhh the brittleness is not something I considered. It's also pretty knotty I guess. That mobile sauna is a pretty cool idea. I love the porthole window in the door.

  11. #10
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    Feb 2022
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    Thanks all for your input. I think I'll go with WRC - I've found some for sale at a *cough* reasonable price. I'll post some shots of my progress.

  12. #11
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by Illvibe View Post
    Thanks Bushmiller. Ahhh the brittleness is not something I considered. It's also pretty knotty I guess. That mobile sauna is a pretty cool idea. I love the porthole window in the door.
    Illvibe

    I was thinking about the Australian Cypress Pine, which may be different to the White Cypress you are quoting: I think you should research that further as I may have misled on your timber. I had not taken note of your location carefully enough.

    I did speak to my son about the timber he used and apparently it was whatever was cheapest! He mentioned that in a sauna you do not want it to be a dark timber as it becomes just gloomy. He also said that it was very important to have both a vent in the ceiling and a drain in the floor, which can be as simple as a removable block of wood. This is necessary to regulate the humidity. On the subject of timber again it is important to choose a timber that does not release tannins.

    I too thought the porthole in his mobile sauna was pretty cool and I think it was salvaged from the shipwreck he found in the "Something from Nothing" pizza oven video.

    Regards
    Paul

    PS: WRC is a good choice (at the right price )
    Bushmiller;

    "Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"

  13. #12
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    Aug 2011
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    As you are located in the right place, I would suggest having a look at backyard millers for some Sequoia (Red wood.) Tree loppers would also be worth a chat. I can even find the stuff here in the Wide Brown Land to mill and its not even a native.

  14. #13
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    Feb 2022
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    Thanks all. I’ve actually moved back to Aus (Mt Macedon in Vic) after being in California for a while (just updated my profile location), so your Aussie-centric advice is spot on. When I say white cypress, I am referring to cypress pine that is found in Australia. My reasoning for not finding any sauna projects that use it was perhaps that it’s not really available outside of Aus. Sounds like there are other reasons it might not be ideal.

  15. #14
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    Apr 2021
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    sydney
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    Default white cypress pine

    Hi Illvibe
    did you ever built your sauna using white cypress pine? how did it go? I am thinking of doing the same
    cheers
    Leo

  16. #15
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    Feb 2018
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    I have found that the best timber to use for sauna use is that which has little or no odour when exposed to heat whether it be from traditional use or infared radiation , if you look at the causes of reaction to timber used it would appear that the least odour from heat is desirable.

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