Short answer: Blazin Saunas builds outdoor saunas from Sugi cedar, handmade in Idaho Falls by a team of six. Pods, barrels, cubes, and Timberline have 1 5/8" Sugi cedar walls. Teton and Blackwood are insulated cabins with interior wood options that include Sugi cedar. This hub covers what Sugi is, why we use it, which models use it, and how to care for it.
New to outdoor saunas? Start with the Outdoor Sauna Buying Guide. Comparing species? See Sugi cedar vs Western Red Cedar.
What Sugi cedar is
Sugi cedar is the production wood for Blazin outdoor saunas. An outdoor cabin cycles through UV, rain or snowmelt, freeze and thaw, and high interior heat with humidity when you ladle water onto stones. Species, thickness, roof detailing, and care all have to match that reality.
We do not invent lab percentages or "X times more durable" claims. Performance is species plus grade plus thickness plus roof plus site plus care. Our job is to pick a cedar we trust for that stack and build it carefully in East Idaho.
Why Blazin uses Sugi
Blazin Saunas started in 2024 after seeing too many mass-produced imported saunas. We standardized on Sugi so the Outdoor Saunas collection shares one outdoor wood story: consistent sourcing, build practice, and care advice.
- Natural moisture resistance for outdoor builds
- Classic cedar aroma in a traditional hot room
- Thick wall stock on kit models that helps the cabin hold heat
The clean-build stack around the wood matters as much as the species name: stainless steel screws, no glue in the cabin joinery, and no plastics in the structure that off-gas in the heat. Full detail: Clean build.
Which models use Sugi cedar
From live product pages:
- Pods, barrels, cubes, and Timberline: walls are 1 5/8" Sugi cedar. That wall thickness applies to these models only: Pod Mini, 2 Person Pod, 4 Person Pod, 2 Person Barrel, 4 Person Barrel, XL Barrel, 4 Person Cube, 6 Person Cube, and Timberline.
- Teton: insulated cabin that arrives fully built. Interior wood options listed on the product page include Sugi Cedar, Thermo Spruce, or Clear Grade Thermo Aspen; exterior siding is chosen per build.
- Blackwood: insulated cabin that arrives fully built. Interior wood options listed include Sugi Cedar, Thermo Spruce, or Thermo Aspen; exterior siding is chosen per build. Compare the two in Teton vs Blackwood.
Our pods, Pod Mini, cubes, 2 Person Barrel, XL Barrel, and Timberline list 175–230°F for the included heater. We offer electric and wood-burning heaters, and dual-heater builds are available. Gas and propane heaters are available by request: call, text or message us to set it up.
Care and maintenance
Outdoor cedar ages. UV softens color; wet bases and trapped leaves speed wear. A short routine keeps the cabin looking and heating the way it should:
- Wipe benches after sweaty sessions when practical
- Leave the door cracked briefly after use so moisture can escape
- Keep the vent path clear
- Clear leaves and snow from the black metal roof and around the base
- Confirm the pad stays level (Foundation and electrical)
We do not prescribe a specific stain brand here. Ask us if you want finish recommendations matched to your climate. Seasonal winter notes: Outdoor sauna winter prep. The shorter care checklist also lives on Cedar sauna maintenance.
Helpful gear: thermometer, bucket and ladle, vents, doors and windows in Accessories.
Shipping, sale, and warranty around the wood
Pods, barrels, cubes, and Timberline ship free to the contiguous U.S. (Hawaii and Alaska quoted), take about 4–5 weeks to build, and typically 5–10 business days in transit. Those same models are $1,250 off regular price until we are booked up. Teton and Blackwood arrive fully built at regular price, with shipping quoted by location and crane needs.
Most customers assemble kits themselves. Professional assembly is optional at $1,250 for pods, barrels, cubes, and Timberline, done by Blazin's nationwide team; the Teton and Blackwood arrive fully built. See DIY vs professional assembly. Before assembly day, have a level, stable base ready and plan on a licensed electrician to hook up an electric heater.
Every sauna carries a 3-year limited warranty. All sales are final. Each sauna is handmade for your order in East Idaho. Defects are covered by our 3-year warranty. Financing is available through Affirm. HSA/FSA payments run through TrueMed.
Frequently asked questions
What is Sugi cedar?
Sugi cedar is the outdoor wood Blazin Saunas builds with. On pods, barrels, cubes, and Timberline, walls are 1 5/8" thick Sugi cedar. Teton and Blackwood are insulated cabins, and their interior wood options include Sugi cedar (with Thermo Spruce or Thermo Aspen as other interior choices on those models).
Why does Blazin Saunas use Sugi cedar?
We chose Sugi for outdoor cabins that see sun, snow, heat, and humidity: moisture resistance, classic cedar aroma in the hot room, and thick wall stock that helps the room hold heat. Pair that with stainless screws, no glue in the cabin joinery, and no plastics in the structure that off-gas in the heat.
Which Blazin models use Sugi cedar?
Pods, barrels, cubes, and Timberline are built with 1 5/8" Sugi cedar walls. Teton and Blackwood product pages list Sugi cedar as an interior wood option alongside Thermo Spruce and Thermo Aspen (Blackwood lists Thermo Aspen; Teton lists Clear Grade Thermo Aspen).
How do I care for a Sugi cedar outdoor sauna?
Wipe benches after sweaty sessions when practical, leave the door cracked briefly after use so moisture can escape, keep the vent path clear, and clear leaves or snow from the black metal roof and around the base. Confirm the pad stays level. Ask us if you want finish recommendations matched to your climate.
Does wall thickness apply to every model?
The 1 5/8" Sugi cedar wall thickness applies to pods, barrels, cubes, and Timberline. Teton and Blackwood are insulated cabins, so that wall figure does not apply to them.
Talk with us
Questions about Sugi, models, or care? Call or text (208) 520-6612 · (208) 270-5860. Or email support@blazinsaunas.com, or browse Outdoor Saunas.