What Features to Look for in Your Finnleo Sauna

Essential Elements for a Perfect Home Spa Experience

Last updated: May 23rd 2025

Thinking about adding a Finnleo sauna to your home or looking for a high-quality sauna brand? Choosing the right model is about more than just picking a size or style—it’s about crafting a wellness experience tailored to you.

From heater types like traditional electric or infrared, to selecting wood finishes that balance durability and design, every detail matters. You'll also want to consider the layout, seating options, and ambient features like lighting.

But beyond the basics, what are the standout features that can truly transform your sauna into a personal retreat? Let’s explore what makes a Finnleo sauna not just good—but exceptional.

Explore more guides and resources on our sauna's main page for everything you need to choose your spa.

Sauna features to read more about:

• Sauna types
  • Traditional saunas
  • Infrared saunas
• Wood choiches
• Bench capacity and sauna size
• Lighting options
• Exterior and interior
• Control panel
• Heater types
  • Electric heaters
  • Wood-burning heaters
• Sauna Accesories
• Where to buy a Finnleo sauna

Sauna Types

When choosing a sauna, understanding sauna types is essential for tailoring your experience.

Traditional saunas, with their heated rocks, offer a high-temperature, humid-controlled environment, while infrared saunas provide direct body heat at lower temperatures for immediate use.

Knowing the differences will help you select the right option to meet your wellness goals.

Here's a quick comparison of key features:

Traditional Saunas

Often referred to as a Finnish sauna, this setup uses either electric or wood-burning heaters filled with rocks to raise the air temperature in the room—typically between 150–185°F. By pouring water on the rocks, you can create löyly, a burst of steam that adds both heat and humidity, letting you tailor the experience to your liking.

These saunas take about 40–45 minutes to fully heat and are ideal for users who enjoy the ritual of multi-round bathing sessions. The ability to control both temperature and humidity offers a deeply immersive, time-honored experience. You can get either an indoor sauna or an outdoor sauna.

Infrared Saunas

Infrared saunas use infrared panels or emitters to heat the body directly, not the air around you. They reach lower temperatures—usually 120–140°F—but still promote deep sweating by raising your core body temperature. Because they heat up almost instantly, they’re perfect for quick sessions and are often preferred by users with limited time or sensitivity to high heat.

With their efficient energy use and gentle warmth, infrared saunas are ideal for daily use and longer sessions, and they often feature sleek, contemporary designs with wood finishes like Canadian Hemlock.

Wood Choices

The wood you select for your sauna plays a vital role in both its performance and atmosphere. From heat retention and comfort to scent and durability, each type of wood offers distinct advantages that shape your overall experience. Finnleo provides a carefully curated selection of high-quality woods to suit a range of styles and preferences.

For sauna walls and ceilings:

Nordic White Spruce

Canadian Hemlock

Western Red Cedar

For backrests and benches:

Each of these woods brings its own character to your sauna. Whether you prioritize aroma, appearance, or long-term durability, Finnleo’s selection ensures you can customize your sauna to match both your lifestyle and personal taste.

Bench Capacity and Sauna Size

When planning your sauna experience, understanding bench capacity and sauna size is key to ensuring comfort and functionality. You'll want to consider how many people will use the sauna simultaneously, as this will determine the necessary size and configuration. Finnleo offers a variety of standard sizes, plus custom-cut options for unique spaces.

Bench configuration plays a key role in both comfort and heat distribution within a sauna. Tiered benches allow users to choose their preferred temperature level—higher benches for more intense heat, lower for milder warmth—while L-shaped or wraparound layouts offer more seating and a social, open feel. Thoughtful bench design enhances both relaxation and functionality.

Here's a quick reference table to help you gauge sauna size based on the number of users:

Lighting Options

Effective lighting can transform your sauna experience, enhancing both ambiance and functionality. When designing your Finnleo sauna, consider how well-placed lighting can create a soothing environment that complements your relaxation.

Soft under-bench lighting offers a gentle glow, making it an ideal choice for creating a calming atmosphere. Recessed LED lights in the backrests provide targeted illumination, allowing you to read or enjoy music without harsh glare.

For a unique twist, explore color therapy puck lighting in the ceiling, which can promote relaxation or invigorate your senses depending on the hue you select. These options not only enhance the visual appeal of your sauna but also contribute to your overall wellness experience.

You can tailor your lighting choices to suit your preferences, ensuring that they align with your sauna's design and intended purpose. By investing in quality lighting, you're not just illuminating your sauna; you're crafting an environment that elevates your entire wellness routine.

Exterior and Interior

The exterior and interior design of your sauna plays a crucial role in not only its aesthetic appeal but also in enhancing your overall sauna experience. A well-designed sauna can transform your space into a sanctuary, combining functionality with beauty. Consider using a full glass front or glass-to-glass corners to create an open feel and connect with the outdoors. Meanwhile, interior options like mixing dark wood walls with lighter benches can create a stunning focal point.

Here's a quick overview of some choices to consider:

Control Panel

Elevate your sauna experience with the intuitive SaunaLogic2® control panel, designed for seamless user interaction. This feature-rich control system gives you the flexibility to manage your sauna effortlessly from anywhere, ensuring you have complete control at your fingertips.

The sleek glass touch screen offers an easy-to-navigate interface, allowing you to adjust time and temperature effortlessly. With built-in RGBW lighting control, you can customize the ambiance to suit your mood.

Plus, the SaunaLogic2 mobile app supports both iPhone and Android devices, integrating smoothly with Google Home, Alexa, and Siri for hands-free operation. You can set a delay time of up to 24 hours, decide on a 60-minute timer, or create weekly schedules to fit your lifestyle.

The app allows you to manage multiple users by creating a "Family" option, making it convenient for everyone to enjoy the sauna experience.

Whether you want to dim the lights, adjust the heat, or connect to the optional Bluetooth sound system, the SaunaLogic2 control panel enhances your sauna journey, setting the stage for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Heater Types

When selecting a heater for your sauna, you'll choose between electric and wood options, each offering distinct advantages.

Electric heaters provide rapid heating and precise temperature control, while wood heaters create a traditional ambiance and aromatic experience.

Understanding your preferences and sauna design will help you make the best choice for your ultimate relaxation and wellness.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison chart of electric vs. wood-burning sauna heaters:

Electric Heaters

Electric sauna heaters are a convenient and efficient option for modern sauna users. Known for their quick heat-up times and precise temperature control, they allow you to enjoy spontaneous sauna sessions with minimal effort. Electric heaters distribute heat evenly throughout the space, creating a consistent and comfortable environment ideal for relaxation.

Many models are compatible with wireless connectivity and Bluetooth. They also require little maintenance and are well-suited for indoor installations, making them a practical and reliable choice for everyday wellness routines.

Wood-Burning Heaters

For those seeking a traditional and immersive sauna experience, wood-burning heaters offer unmatched atmosphere and charm. These heaters create a gentle, radiant heat and fill the space with the soothing aroma of natural wood smoke, enhancing the sense of calm and authenticity.

While wood heaters require more involvement—such as tending the fire and ensuring proper ventilation—they reward users with a deep, grounding experience. Proper airflow is essential, so placing an air intake vent below the heater and an exhaust vent on the opposite wall helps maintain consistent circulation and heat distribution.

Ideal for outdoor saunas or off-grid settings, wood-burning heaters provide a rustic, hands-on experience that turns each sauna session into a mindful retreat.

Sauna Accessories

Every traditional sauna needs the right accessories to deliver a complete and satisfying experience—and all Finnleo sauna rooms and kits come with the essentials to get you started, including a quality bucket and ladle for that perfect löyly (steam) session. From there, you can explore the wide selection of authentic Finnish sauna accessories to personalize your space for comfort, function, and style.

• Buckets & Ladles- A classic wood bucket with a plastic liner brings traditional charm while preventing leaks, and pairs beautifully with a bamboo or aluminum-handled ladle to gently pour water over the hot stones.
• Linens & Textiles- Add comfort and protect your sauna surfaces with soft, breathable textiles. Seat covers, towels, and sauna pillows enhance hygiene and help you fully relax during each session.
• Fragrances & Scented Washes- Enhance your sauna atmosphere with aromatic oils and scented washes. Whether you want to unwind, energize, or clear your mind, fragrances like eucalyptus can transform the air and elevate your overall experience.
• Brushes & Scrubs- Support your wellness routine with natural brushes and body scrubs—perfect for deep cleansing, exfoliation, and promoting healthy circulation during your sauna bath.
• Thermometer & Hygrometer- Stay in tune with your environment. An accurate thermometer and hygrometer help you monitor heat and humidity levels for a safe, authentic Finnish sauna experience.
• Sauna Maintenance- Extend the life of your sauna with the right care tools. From drip pans to cleaning products, maintenance accessories keep your space performing and looking its best.

Find All of these Custom Design Possibilities with Grand Traverse Leisure

At Grand Traverse Leisure, creating your ideal sauna experience is more than just a purchase—it's a personalized journey. Ready to start your custom sauna journey? Visit our showroom or contact us today.

We proudly offer a wide array of custom design options through our partnership with Finnleo, a United States-based manufacturing brand. Whether you're envisioning a compact indoor retreat or a spacious backyard sanctuary, Finnleo’s unmatched craftsmanship and design flexibility ensure your sauna will be tailored to fit both your space and your lifestyle.

From selecting the perfect wood species and heater type to configuring bench layouts, lighting, glass features, and smart controls, every detail is customizable. Prefer a minimalist Scandinavian aesthetic? Want added wellness features like integrated sound systems? Looking to build around specific dimensions or architectural styles? We’ll work with you to bring your vision to life.

With Grand Traverse Leisure and Finnleo, your dream sauna isn’t just possible—it’s fully within reach.

Frequently Asked Questions About Saunas