01 / Sauna benches & backrests
Abachi Wood for Sauna Interiors & Decorative Panels
Natural grain. Finished by hand.
Abachi, also known as ayous or obeche, is a lightweight African hardwood. Its fine texture and low thermal conductivity make it a familiar choice for sauna seating and backrests. Natural abachi is pale cream to light yellow; thermally modified abachi is darker.
- Why choose it
- A gentle grain and relatively uniform appearance suit broad, simple bench designs.
- Specify it carefully
- Choose smooth bench boards with rounded edges. Confirm natural or thermo-treated material when requesting a sample: their colours differ considerably.
- Care
- Use a seat towel, wipe the surface after use and allow the sauna to dry. Use only treatments intended for sauna wood.
Board sizes for your project
Board lengths: approximately 9.84–14.76 ft (3–4.5 m).
| Thickness | Overall width | Coverage width |
|---|---|---|
| 0.59 in | 3.54 in | 3.15 in |
| 0.79 in | 5.51 in | 5.12 in |
| 1.10 in | 7.48 in | 7.28 in |
Converted from 15 × 90 mm (80 mm coverage), 20 × 140 mm (130 mm coverage), and 28 × 190 mm (185 mm coverage). Coverage is the visible width after the boards are joined. Use coverage width when calculating the number of boards; final dimensions and availability are confirmed in your quote.
Choosing a profile: Tell us whether you need seating, backrests, wall cladding or decorative panels. The dimensions above do not establish suitability for every application; we will confirm the profile, edge finish and intended use in your quotation.
Finished by hand, board by board
The samples shown are finished with clear wax. An oil finish is also available and can deepen the tone for a darker Abachi look. We apply both wax and oil by hand, working with the grain and checking every board for an even finish.
For a coordinated sauna interior, our preferred combination is waxed walls and oiled benches, using finishes approved for each surface and the intended sauna conditions. Each board is individually finished for your project. Review a physical sample to choose the tone.
CNC-patterned Abachi panels
Abachi can also be made into panels approximately 78.74 × 47.24 in — about 6.56 × 3.94 ft (2000 × 1200 mm). CNC machining creates the flowing or fluted relief, followed by hand-applied wax or oil. The photographs show small pattern samples, not full-size panels. Discuss the pattern, panel construction and intended installation with us.
