Eli5: How come wood stays cool to the touch in high temperature environments (e.g. saunas) when all other common materials would be hot?

Question

Eli5: How come wood stays cool to the touch in high temperature environments (e.g. saunas) when all other common materials would be hot?

In: 671

Answer 1

Conductivity.

We normally think about that in electrical terms, but it’s very important in heat transfer as well.

Some materials, like wood do not conduct (transfer) heat well. Some (like water) are very good at it.