Which wood you choose?
19th January 2022
Which Wood You Choose: Stained Spruce, Thermowood & Red Cedar Made Easy
Thinking about purchasing a wood-fired hot tub but not sure which wood to choose? While most woods used in the construction of wood-fired hot tubs are both aesthetically pleasing and functional, there are some that perform better than others…
Spruce, Thermowood, and Cedar all have different characteristics, as well as colours. A hot tub can last for over 10 years if it is properly maintained; however, it’s important to be aware that some species of wood are more resistant to rot or shrinkage. Keep in mind that your choice of wood can also affect the enjoyment of your hot tubbing experience – arguably the most important consideration when choosing your hot tub!
So, without further ado, here’s a deep dive into three of Kirami UK’s most popular hot tub materials: Stained Spruce, Thermowood, and Red Cedar…
Stained Spruce (ST)
Spruce is a softwood timber that, in its natural form, is very light in colour. It takes very well to wood treatments, meaning it can be stained and polished to suit your individual preferences. Spruce is one of the sturdiest types of wood and is extremely versatile; however, we would advise that it should be regularly treated. With its superior strength, flexibility, and good looks, it’s no wonder that Spruce is one of the most popular materials for wooden hot tubs!
Kirami UK’s natural Stained Spruce panels feature a beautiful brown tint that will remain handsome for a long period of time. The outer shell is made from Finnish Spruce panels, which can be stained with a Dark Walnut or Coal Black tint. We recommend re-staining the wood every couple of years to ensure maximum longevity.
The following Kirami UK hot tubs are available with Stained Spruce (ST) exteriors:
- Chill = available in Coal Black ST with an LDPE plastic Stone Grey interior
- Breezy = available in both Dark Walnut and Coal Black ST with a Light Grey or Polar Blue interior
- Hazy = available in both Dark Walnut and Coal Black ST with a Casual Grey interior
- Family M = available in Coal Black ST with a LDPE plastic Stone Grey, Soft Beige, or Ocean Blue interior
- Family L = available in Coal Black ST with a LDPE plastic Stone Grey, Soft Beige, or Ocean Blue interior
Thermowood
Thermo-processed wood has been processed in high temperatures, making it a much better insulator, more weatherproof, and resistant to rot. The wood is darker than natural wood and is less likely to suffer from moisture deformation, making it much more suitable for usage in outdoor settings. Although it is typically a more expensive material, we guarantee that your Thermowood tub will be built to last!
Kirami UK’s original and natural heat-treated pine panels have a beautiful warm brown shade that maintains its shape well. Thermowood is a high-quality and long-lasting material that brings the genuine atmosphere of real wood into the tub and gives off a fresh woody scent.
The following Kirami UK tubs are available in Thermowood (TW) exteriors:
- Tiny = comes with a LDPE plastic Stone Grey interior
- Woody Tiny
- Woody M
- Woody L
- Family M = choose from a LDPE plastic Stone Grey, Soft Beige, or Ocean Blue interior
- Family L = choose from a LDPE plastic Stone Grey, Soft Beige, or Ocean Blue interior
- Steady = choose from a Casual Grey or Caramel Beige interior
- Grandy XL = comes with a Casual Grey interior
Red Cedar (RC)
Red Cedar is one of the most unique softwood species, producing natural rich tones with remarkable durability. The wood can withstand extreme temperatures and is incredibly strong, making it one of the best and most sought-after building materials. The wood maintains its original shape and does not warp, cup, or twist, as well as completely resisting moisture. People can’t get enough of Red Cedar hot tubs – it’s easy to see why!
Kirami UK’s multi-hued Red Cedar tubs are exceptionally beautiful, with the wood taking on a more grey/silvery hue over time. This luxurious and stylish exterior is a popular choice for Kirami UK’s superior range of wood-fired hot tubs.
The following Kirami UK tubs are available in Red Cedar (RC) exteriors:
- Family M = choose from a LDPE plastic Stone Grey, Soft Beige, or Ocean Blue interior
- Family L = choose from a LDPE plastic Stone Grey, Soft Beige, or Ocean Blue interior
- Steady = choose from a Casual Grey or Caramel Beige interior
- Woody Tiny
- Woody M
- Woody L
- Pearly M = comes with a Champagne interior
How to Maintain Your Hot Tub’s Wooden Exterior
We would advise that you regularly maintain and treat your wooden hot tub’s exterior, to ensure maximum longevity of the wood.
Stained Spruce and Thermowood surfaces can be treated with wood oil – as long as they do not form a layer that could damage the panels as the wood swells/shrinks. Stained Spruce and Thermowood panels should be treated with wood oil diluted with water in a suitable shade of brown. Red Cedar panels can be treated with paraffin oil. Composite panels only need to be washed occasionally.
When treating your hot tub’s wooden panels, we recommend removing the outer hoops or covering them with adhesive tape. This will allow you to remove any splashes or runoffs quickly and easily.
Kirami UK’s exceptional range of handmade Finnish hot tubs are built to last and can resist even the most demanding climates. Whichever wood you choose, you can be sure that our tubs have been created using the best possible materials.
Visit our website to browse our products or click here to book an appointment at our showroom with one of our hot tub specialists today!
