When designing a sauna, one detail that's often overlooked is bench skirting, sometimes known as bench fascia. This is the timber panel fitted to the front of the bench frame, closing the gap between the underside of the seating and the floor.

Some sauna owners prefer the clean, enclosed appearance that skirting creates, while others favour the open, minimalist look of exposed bench framing. Neither option is inherently right or wrong, but each offers distinct advantages depending on the size, style, and intended use of the sauna.

This guide explores the pros and cons of sauna bench skirting to help you decide which option is best for your project.

What Is Sauna Bench Skirting?

Sauna bench skirting is a timber panel installed along the front face of the bench structure. Rather than leaving the framework visible beneath the seating, the panel creates a solid, continuous finish across the front of the bench.

Skirting can be fitted to lower benches, upper benches, or both, depending on the design of the sauna.

Benefits of Sauna Bench Skirting

Creates a More Finished Appearance

One of the main reasons homeowners choose bench skirting is aesthetics.

By concealing the structural framework beneath the bench, skirting creates a cleaner, more furniture-like appearance. The result is a polished, intentional finish that works particularly well in contemporary sauna designs and luxury wellness spaces.

Easier Day-to-Day Cleaning

With the underside of the bench enclosed, there are fewer visible surfaces to clean and maintain.

Dust, debris, and everyday dirt are hidden from view, while routine sweeping and mopping become simpler because there is no need to reach deep underneath the bench structure.

Additional Protection in Commercial Settings

For commercial saunas, hotels, spas, and social sauna clubs, bench skirting can offer practical protection.

Cleaning equipment, footwear, and general foot traffic can gradually damage lower wall panels. A skirting panel acts as a sacrificial barrier, helping protect the wall finish behind it. If cosmetic damage occurs, replacing a fascia panel is often easier and less costly than repairing wall cladding.

Benefits of an Open Bench Design (No Skirting)

Makes Small Saunas Feel Larger

In compact one, two, and three-person saunas, visual space matters.

An open bench design allows the eye to travel through the structure to the wall behind, creating a greater sense of openness. While the physical dimensions remain unchanged, the sauna can feel noticeably less enclosed.

Reduces Material and Build Costs

Removing skirting reduces the amount of timber required and shortens installation time.

While the savings are relatively modest on a single bench, they can become more meaningful across larger projects or multi-sauna installations.

Reflects Traditional Scandinavian Sauna Design

Many traditional Finnish and Baltic saunas feature simple, open bench structures without decorative detailing.

This minimalist approach reflects the practical roots of sauna culture, where functionality and craftsmanship take priority over ornamentation. For those seeking an authentic Scandinavian aesthetic, open benches are often the preferred choice.

Improves Ventilation and Accessibility

Open bench designs can improve airflow beneath the seating area and make it easier to inspect, clean, and maintain the sauna over time.

This can be particularly beneficial in commercial environments where hygiene and ongoing maintenance are important considerations.

Should Commercial Saunas Have Bench Skirting?

For commercial saunas, the decision often comes down to balancing aesthetics with maintenance requirements.

Bench skirting can provide a premium, finished appearance and offer protection against everyday wear and tear. However, many modern commercial sauna designs are moving towards cleaner, more open structures that simplify cleaning and improve accessibility.

High-end Scandinavian-inspired wellness facilities increasingly favour open bench designs, particularly when paired with flush wall detailing and minimalist interiors.

Our Recommendation

For most residential saunas, the choice between skirting and no skirting is largely a matter of personal preference.

If you prefer a clean, furniture-style finish and want to conceal the bench structure, skirting is an excellent option. If you want to maximise the sense of space, embrace traditional Scandinavian design, and keep construction simple, an open bench design may be the better choice.

For commercial projects, we generally favour open bench structures or carefully integrated fascia systems that balance aesthetics, durability, hygiene, and ease of maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is sauna bench skirting?

Sauna bench skirting is a timber panel fitted to the front of a sauna bench to conceal the structural framework beneath the seating.

Does bench skirting make a sauna easier to clean?

It can reduce visible dust and debris beneath the bench, although open bench designs often provide easier access for deep cleaning and maintenance.

Is bench skirting common in Scandinavian saunas?

Many traditional Finnish and Scandinavian saunas use open bench structures without skirting, although modern luxury sauna designs may incorporate it for aesthetic reasons.

Should I choose skirting for a small sauna?

In smaller saunas, open bench designs often help create a greater sense of space. However, if you prefer a more finished appearance, skirting remains a popular option.

Final Thoughts

Bench skirting is a small detail that can have a noticeable impact on both the appearance and functionality of a sauna. Whether you choose an enclosed bench or an open structure, the best option is the one that aligns with your design goals, maintenance preferences, and how the sauna will be used.

For most homeowners, it's a design choice. For commercial operators, it's a practical decision that should balance aesthetics, durability, hygiene, and long-term maintenance.