Black, Natural – or Any Color You Like

Customizable exterior finishes for your outdoor wooden sauna

When selecting a premium outdoor sauna for your garden, backyard, or even a remote getaway in nature, one of the most visually impactful decisions is the exterior finish. This choice does more than define how the sauna looks, it influences how it settles into its environment and reflects your personal style.

At Hetki, we offer a curated range of beautiful, natural wood finishes, each one applied by hand, always twice. Two of the most loved are black and natural. Both are timeless, both reflect Nordic aesthetics, and both age gracefully.

The Beauty of Natural

A natural spruce finish, treated twice by hand but without added pigment, brings out the soft, golden tones of the wood in its purest form. Over time, this finish transforms as the sauna weathers in the sun, wind, and rain. The wood takes on a silvery-grey patina, a natural aging process that highlights the organic character of the material.

This visual change isn’t a flaw. It’s part of the charm of using real, high-quality Finnish wood. It doesn’t compromise the sauna’s performance or durability in any way. However, if you prefer to retain the original tone or shift the look later on, the natural finish provides a flexible base. You can re-treat it with a light or dark translucent stain, allowing you to adjust the color as your preferences or surroundings evolve.

The Depth of Black

For those seeking contrast and bold character, black offers a grounded, architectural feel. It pairs well with modern homes, cabins, and traditional buildings alike, providing a strong visual anchor in any setting. Like all our finishes, it’s semi-transparent, so the grain of the wood remains visible, and it weathers gradually to a softer, more lived-in tone.

Carefully Treated by Hand

Every Hetki sauna is made to order in Finland from premium Finnish spruce logs – a robust, durable wood that has grown slowly in the harsh conditions of Northern Finland. The short growing season creates exceptionally dense and strong timber, ideal for log sauna construction. All wood is sourced from sustainably harvested forests, supporting responsible forestry and long-term ecological balance.

All visible exterior wooden surfaces are carefully hand-finished using breathable, translucent wood stains. These high-quality treatments offer essential protection from UV rays, moisture, and varying weather conditions, all while preserving the natural texture, feel, and beauty of the wood.

We never use opaque paints or film-forming coatings that would seal the surface. Instead, we use safe, translucent, penetrating stains that allow the wood to breathe and age naturally. This approach ensures your wooden sauna remains beautiful, functional, and resilient in outdoor conditions for years to come.

Long-Term Care and Re-Treatment

If you wish to maintain the color or refresh the look after years of use, the exterior can be re-stained. We recommend using a wood-protective stain with UV protection to resist weathering. Never use varnish or thick paints – these trap moisture and prevent proper aging.

Before applying a new treatment, remove any surface stains with gentle sanding and use a sharp knife to remove any resin that may have seeped through the wood. For the best results, consult your local paint supplier or Hetki retailer to select a suitable product and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

Make It Your Own

The exterior finish is just one part of the experience. With Hetki, you can personalize many other details as well – door and window design, bench style, heater type, lighting, and a variety of thoughtful optional features. Each sauna is crafted to reflect not only Finnish tradition, but your unique needs and environment.

Try It Out with Our Configurator

Not sure which color works best in your setting? The Hetki sauna configurator on our website lets you explore various customization options, including available exterior finishes. While it doesn't simulate your exact environment, it gives a clear overview of the choices and helps you get a feel for the look and features of your sauna.

For additional inspiration, a great place to see real-life examples is our social media channels, where we regularly share photos of completed Hetki saunas in a variety of settings.

Custom-Made, Delivered Fully Assembled

A defining feature of every Hetki sauna is its traditional dovetail corner joint, a method rooted in Nordic log-building tradition. This construction technique not only provides structural strength and dimensional stability but also gives the sauna a distinctive, timeless look that connects it with centuries of craftsmanship. Pictured are the most popular exterior colors, black and natural, which beautifully highlight the craftsmanship of this iconic joint.

Hetki is a log sauna. A wooden sauna. Made from a natural material that’s not only beautiful, but calming, sustainable, and deeply connected to nature. Every part of the structure is designed to support long-term durability, comfort, and the essence of a real Finnish sauna experience.

Our saunas are built and fully assembled in Finland. This means there’s no on-site construction or prolonged installation process. Your sauna arrives as a complete unit, ready to be used, and enjoyed the sama day.