Newsletter: Fall 2025
Country to City
We traveled through the the landscape of upstate New York, then hopped on a ferry in order to reach our final destination on the east coast. Upon delivery, we topped off the rocks and lit the fire.
When we travel, the ever-changing landscape becomes the backdrop for our photo shoots. Our sauna design was inspired by the shepherd’s hut of the British Isles and one that specifically draws their identity from the land. It’s the wanderlust spirit that draws us to the creeks and into the woods for the most special sauna sessions.
The curve of an arched roofline softly settles into the landscape that surrounds.
One of the reasons we promote outdoor saunas is to experience the ebb and flow of nature when taking saunas. There is a good reason to get outside no matter how snowy, rainy and gray—you will be surprised how good the body feels with wild spindles steaming off your body in the cold crisp air. Read more about Sauna & Nature Connection > and Sauna Glamping>
Pine is Fine.
We would love more people to ask us about using Pine (wood) for not only the exterior but the interior of our saunas. We think pine is fine and an affordable option when building a traditional and authentic sauna, especially in light of the increased cost of Western Red Cedar (due to tariffs). In the US sauna tradition, many of the old Finns built their saunas with Pine (including Podunk), but be aware of the sticky sap tears you will see (and feel) forever. If Pine is used for interior finishing we do recommend at least a Cedar backrest and Cedar benches.
We promote access to sauna, and to everyone, so if that means using Pine in order to afford a sauna of your own, that is great.
Arches for the mobile sauna roof are ready to install are balanced on a pile of 2×4’s.
Arches balancing upside down—daily works of art.
Most of our customers prefer to finish the interior of their saunas with Western Red Cedar or Northern White Cedar and for good reasons. These woods are a great choice among the commonly available softwood species due to it’s very low density which makes it a good insulator and it does not feel hot to the touch like hardwoods. Its low weight makes it easy to handle and is key for reducing weight in our mobile saunas. (about heat tolerances in Cedar Woes post>). There are different types of cedars that you should be aware of, but unfortunately, the rot resistance of cedar is because of the slightly toxic nature of the resins. Some of it may be more toxic, like juniper (aka eastern red cedar or closet cedar,) so please do not repurpose that. We suggest wetting samples and smelling them to see if you have adverse reactions.
Western Red Cedar is not to be mistaken for what is commonly called Eastern Red Cedar (a misnomer), but is actually Juniper—something you’d find in your old closet and is toxic to moths and humans.
We also have our reservations about the deforestation of the old growth trees in British Columbia, Canada which is the primarily source for the clear Western Red Cedar (regularly seen in sauna kits). Clear Cedar is free of knots, easy to work but may still have a lot of color variation. Vertical grain (aka quarter sawn) Cedar is the premium stuff (at a premium price) but the heartwood found in vertical grain cedar has more of the toxic resin. We usually recommend using Western Red STK (select tight knots) which is often sustainably harvested from smaller trees—not old growth.
The nature of wood is that it is imperfect, but installing the boards carefully with joints so tight that we don’t need edge trim is part of the wrangled joys of being good finish carpenter.
Sauna Building Class & Workshop
This fall ’25 we welcomed another round of very enthusiastic students from all over the US to learn about traditional sauna building, the building science behind saunas, and learning the practice of taking sauna! To those who have now taken our class, you have learned that there is more than meets the eye for these small structures. Students come with the dream of building their own saunas then graduate with the knowledge and the confidence to build their own.
For builders and fledgling sauna businesses who take this workshop, it has been a game changer but not only for them, but for us as well. This master class with Rob is on par with any college credit course you would receive or continuing education certificate for professionals in the trades, architecture and design. Kudos to our classmates for completing an intensive class!
We are not just building saunas; we are building a community of sauna builders. For us, it is a win-win. By educating new builders, we are making a difference because we know it is for the benefit of everyone to have access to safe and long-lasting saunas that function as a sauna should.
“Rob doesn’t just teach you how to build a sauna; he teaches you the why behind every step, from wood selection to airflow design & proper craftsmanship.”
“I left the class not only with practical skills but a deeper respect for the craft and the people who keep it alive.”
Portlight
One of our trademark designs is the round window—which, since it does not open, is properly called a portlight not porthole! Thankfully, one of our class attendees, a Coast Guard veteran, corrected us on the proper usage of the nautical term. Our customers love the look especially if they’re near coastal areas. The round forms are soft and related the body which is in-line with our curvatures and design aesthetic in the landscapes. It also satisfies our need to keep challenging our woodworking skills.
It’s ALL Sauna Business
We try not to talk about “the sauna business” when we are taking sauna and away from work but it inevitably happens. Sauna has been an integral part of each of our lives for a long time and so much that the lines blur between life, art, work & play. Maybe you can you hear the sauna bell ringing?
There is no better way to spend your wedding day than taking sauna!
We don’t normally take photos while a ladle of water is poured on the rocks löyly but this day was an exception! ❤️
SWEAT IT OUT
this Thanksgiving,
Rob & Scarlet
This is a newsletter from the shop of
Rob Licht Custom Saunas located in Ithaca, NY
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