Sauna colours and tips for treating the interior walls of a sauna

5 Tärkeintä Vinkkiä Saunan Pintakäsittelyyn

1. The colour of the sauna affects the atmosphere and the perception of the space's size.
   Black creates a safe and intimate smoke sauna atmosphere. White creates a modern feel and opens up the space. With contrasts, you create contrast: Treating the sauna benches dark also works well with light-coloured walls. Similarly, dark walls with light-coloured benches create a pleasant contrast and highlight the benches and other sauna details.
2. Lighter colours are always easier to update to dark than vice versa.
   Keep this in mind if you hesitate with choices.
3. Always remember to clean old surfaces before treating them!
   A good wash is sufficient for mineral oil before a new treatment. It is advisable to sand off the sauna sealant completely.
4. Familiarise yourself with the properties of the processing agents before selection.
   The most commonly used are sauna wax, sauna protection and paraffin oil.
5. Don't jump straight into the steam room after the surface treatment.
   Preheat and ventilate the sauna first!

Minkälaisia saunojen käsittelytapoja on olemassa?

There are many different options available on the market when choosing the colour and treatment for a sauna. The choice is most influenced by the final look and colour you want for the sauna, as waxes, sauna protectors, and translucent paints are available in almost any shade.

For example, good options for someone wanting a matte finish are wax or paraffin oil.

The sauna can be painted opaquely, but a more common surface treatment for saunas is oil or some kind of translucent finish that leaves the wood grain visible.

The surfaces to be treated in a sauna are: benches, walls and ceiling. In some saunas, also the wall behind the heater. Ehta saunas do not require treatment of the wall, but if your own sauna has a wall, You can find good tips and instructions for its use on Tikkurila's website.

Potential treatments for sauna wooden parts:

• oils, such as paraffin oil
• wax
• Sauna guards
• Glaze paints

Notes on different handling methods

• Waxed surfaces can last for years without re-treatment. Paraffin oil treatment should be renewed approximately 4 times a year.
• Paraffin oil is a colourless option, but also a non-toxic and natural choice.
• On wooden sauna benches, a dense paint or lacquer finish can feel hot against the skin. Paraffin oil or sauna wax works well for sauna benches.
• Applying too many layers of sauna sealant blocks the wood's breathability, and the sauna no longer functions correctly.

Here's how to choose the right material for the interior surfaces of your sauna

When treating the sauna's surface, you begin by choosing a product suitable for the situation. The auxiliary questions will help you achieve the desired result.

Millaisia ominaisuuksia käsittelyaineessa arvostat?

• Sauna protection It is an easy, water- and dirt-repellent option. However, it has its own challenges. Saunasuoja is not suitable for benches due to the surface becoming too hot. Furthermore, the substance contains plastic, so surfaces cannot be treated with other products afterwards. If the surface treatment is renewed or applied too thickly, the surface can become so dense that the sauna's breathability suffers and the sauna may no longer function as it should.
• Paraffin oil to keep the benches clean and hygienic without creating a film on the surface. Because the product is mineral-based, mould or fungi cannot grow on it. The oil also conditions the bench wood. Please note that paraffin oil slightly darkens the natural colour of the wood. The oil treatment also needs to be renewed frequently: if the sauna is used many times a week, the treatment should be renewed up to 3-4 times a year.
• Sauna wax It's breathable, contains natural wax, and protects against moisture and dirt, yet it breathes. A surface treated with sauna wax will remain in good condition for several years and can be safely reapplied if desired.

Has any surface treatment been done on the sauna before?

An untreated sauna that has been previously treated or has darkened surfaces is more demanding regarding further treatment. Consider the following points when choosing a surface treatment agent and colour.

• Glaze paint cannot be applied over paraffin oil or wax.
• Light over dark is a risk:
  If you choose a light shade, try it out on an inconspicuous area of the old surface (e.g., under the benches). Translucent and light shades look different on darkened wood compared to fresh wood.
  
  If the sauna has previously been treated with a dark shade, changing it to a light one is challenging. With careful pre-treatment and sanding, you can succeed.
• Plastic-based materials must be removed:
  If the sauna has been treated with a plastic-containing sauna sealant (e.g. acrylic-based sealants), the surfaces must be retreated with a similar product or the old coating must be carefully sanded off.

Is the sauna new and untreated?

If the sauna is new and untreated, any product intended for surface treatment of a sauna is suitable.

If you want the natural colour of the wood species to remain completely unchanged by the surface treatment, the best option is sauna wax. It does not darken or deepen the colour of the wood species like oils, for example paraffin.