Ayous Sauna Cladding

Ayous Sauna Cladding for Sale in Ireland

Thermal modification turns Ayous into a stable, durable cladding board. The timber is heated with steam to over 200 degrees, which changes the wood itself rather than adding chemicals. After treatment, Ayous can be compared with Durability Class 1 hardwood, it has good resistance to rot, and it holds its shape as temperature and humidity change.

The triple slatted profile gives each board three shallow waves across its face, so a wall reads as fine vertical or horizontal lines rather than wide planks. The boards have a warm colour that turns grey over time.

Ayous board size

Every Ayous board has the same triple slatted profile at 129 x 21 mm. The 129 mm is the working width, the face each board covers once fixed, so use it when you measure. Choose the length on the product page; longer boards mean fewer joints on long walls. The calculator on the product page turns your wall area into a board count, and the cart adds the matching extras.

Installing Ayous cladding

Thermally modified timber is more brittle than untreated wood, so handle and fix it with care:

• Mount the boards horizontally, on vertical battens at 300 mm centres. The boards have one visible face.
• Keep the bottom board at least 10 mm clear of the floor or ground.
• Always pre drill, and fix with 45 mm stainless steel round head nails or stainless steel screws so the wood acids don’t react with the metal. Let nail heads sit on the surface rather than driving them in.
• Carry and store the boards carefully, because the steam process makes the wood brittle.

Ayous vs other sauna cladding

Alder sauna wood is the traditional resin free choice in a smooth tongue and groove profile. Thermo Spruce sauna cladding offers the same triple slatted look in a thicker 26 mm board. Compare every wall board on our sauna cladding page.

Looking after Ayous

Ayous doesn’t need treating to last, but left bare it turns grey over time. Where the boards are used outside the hot room, such as on a garden wall or fence, most customers keep the colour with an exterior oil such as WOCA Exterior Wood Oil, refreshed every two or three years. See our exterior wood oils. Inside a sauna, use only sauna specific finishes.

See the full sauna timber range.