Teak Shower Floor Pros And Cons You Should Know

Shower floors are an essential part of bathroom design. An excellent shower floor can soothe your feet and improve relaxation. Several materials can constitute shower floors, although they vary in cost and quality. 

Teak shower floors refer to teak slats inserts in your shower tray. Wood isn’t completely waterproof, so it’s not a good option for shower floor. 

Teak shower flooring usually assumes the shape of a mat or insert, but it can have other forms or even a custom design. 

Read to know about the teak shower floor pros and cons to make an informed decision.

The Teak Shower Floor Pros And Cons

Below are the pros and cons of teak shower floors. 

#1: Pros of Teak Shower Floors

Elegance: Teak is a beautiful wood that can last a long time with adequate care. You should polish and oil regularly to keep your shower floor gorgeous.

Durability: Teak species is one of the most durable woods available, and it isn’t easy to scratch or chip. It’s simply a fantastic wood with a lengthy lifespan.

Water-resistant: Teak shower flooring is one of the most water-resistant woods available. When exposed to moisture, most woods mold or expand in a matter of weeks, whereas teak rarely molds or swells. However, you should keep it well-protected.

Pest-resistant: Teak is pest-resistant, making it suitable for outdoor furniture. Termites, cockroaches, and other bugs aren’t drawn to it since it doesn’t collect moisture like other woods.

#2: Cons of Teak Shower Floors

Not entirely waterproof: Teak isn’t 100% impervious to water despite its resistance. Water will penetrate it, but it will not swell or stay.

Difficult to maintain: Teak is difficult to maintain since it requires time and attention. You must frequently polish and oil it; else, it will lose its appeal.

Bathroom cleaners are not ideal: Cleaning teak with bathroom cleansers isn’t a good maintenance option since it requires constant maintenance. Instead, acquire a teak-specific cleaner.

Shower gaps can grow bacteria: If you aren’t going to take the insert in and out every day, teak may not be the best option. The reason is that bacteria can grow behind the insert, putting anyone who uses the restroom at risk of infection.

High cost: Teak is one of the priciest woods available. It’s not cheap, and the packages are so small that you may believe you have a good deal.

How To Clean Teak Shower Floor

Teak is susceptible to build-up. So, it can lose its luster after a while. However, teak is a low-maintenance wood, so there should be no cause for alarm. Teak wood requires constant attention; thus, regular polishing is non-negotiable. 

Ensure you use polish specifically for teak. Polishing teak is straightforward, but it requires caution to avoid damaging the wood. Follow the steps below to clean teak wood.

Clean: Use some water and dish soap to clean the wood before polishing it. Scrub the surface lightly before rinsing it under the tap. Then, before continuing, let the wood dry naturally.

Apply oil: Start by using the oil polisher according to the manufacturer’s directions. This process usually involves delicately massaging the teak oil into the wood, similar to how you would polish a good leather shoe. You’ll probably need to wait a couple of hours for it to set.

Polish: Polish the dried oil in small circles until luster appears. This sheen will protect the wood and keep it looking excellent for months.

How To Make Teak Shower Floor

Yes, you can make your teak shower floor. Purchase pre-made slats from a hardware store to begin. Follow the steps below to make your teak shower floor.

Measure the floor:

Measure the dimensions of the shower floor and jot it down. Keep this note handy as you cut the boards, and sketch a diagram if required.

Creating a diagram is often a good idea in the building industry. In the long term, getting everything straight and organized in your head can help you make fewer mistakes.

Plan the installation:

The spacing between the slats should be roughly 1/2 inch. They’ll need approximately a half-inch on each side as well. As a result, the whole insert must be shorter than the shower by one inch.

Measure the wood and lay them on the shower floor. Make a half-inch space between them while marking them. You won’t have to worry about whether or not your calculations are correct.

Cutting:

Now is the time to get down to business. Measure the shower length and cut the 1-2 inch slats to fit. Then, arrange them to ensure that they all fit together neatly. After that, construct two or three rear bracing boards. Make a mark with the slats.

Fasten with screws:

Screw the slats to the bracing boards to keep them in place. You now have a place to put your insert. Place the shower insert in the shower when you’re ready to use it. 

However, keeping it in the shower all the time is not a good idea. Clean the slats once a week. Check for mold and polish it if necessary. Teak shower floors can last a lifetime if properly maintained.

How Long Does Teak Wood Last In Shower?

Teak wood has a natural oil that makes it more waterproof and mold and mildew resistant than other types of wood. In the shower, teak wood can last 10 to 15 years. If properly handled and maintained, teak wood can endure up to 50 years when used for outdoor furniture.

Teak Wood as Shower Benches

Shower benches add a pleasant, spa-like ambiance to any large standing shower, especially if the furniture comes from exotic woods like teak. However, with water, there’s always the issue of mold. Wood will rot when exposed to enough water. Hardwoods are no different.

Other Applications of Teak Wood 

Furniture: Teak wood is famous for projects in North America and Asia. It has a high oil content, sturdy tensile strength, and tight grain, making it an excellent choice for outdoor furniture. Teak is resistant to the elements and can last many years with little maintenance.

Boatbuilding: Teak wood has been a material for constructing watertight boats. A boat is mainly in water, so waterproofing and stability are essential. Teak wood proves to be superior in this scenario. Teak has a low shrinkage ratio. Thus it doesn’t change much after being exposed to water and sunshine for a long time. These qualities make teak an excellent choice for a boat builder.

Decking: Teak is durable and highly water-resistant. A deck must resist inclement weather and constant dampness. Therefore, it’s vital to use waterproof wood for deck building. Teak wood provides all of the qualities needed for a long-lasting deck. Although no wood is entirely waterproof, teak is more moisture-resistant than most hardwoods.

Plywood: Teak is used in making plywood and ornamental veneers. It’s relatively pricier, but it’s ideal for maritime use. Decorative veneers are standard in offices,  living rooms, gyms, and spas. Teak plywood is more expensive than traditional plywood.

Types Of Teak Wood

Although there are teak species out there, few of them are in great demand worldwide. 

Burma Teak:

The most well-known and valuable teak species is Burma Teak. Its natural golden hue and exquisite straight grain pattern make it a popular choice worldwide. Burma teak grows in Burma and Myanmar’s woods. Teak from Burma takes 50-60 years to reach harvestable conditions.

Thailand Teak:

This teak species is solid and has excellent grain quality. Because of the high demand, it is often difficult to obtain. Thailand is the home of the Thai teak. Thailand teak contributes significantly to Thailand’s economy, exported globally.

South American Teak: 

This teak is a highly sturdy and long-lasting hardwood. Like other teak species, South American teak contains natural oil that repels termites and insects. It looks fantastic due to its deep golden brown tone.

Indian Teak:

This teak wood is native to India. Smoothness, durability, and a rich appearance are some of the reasons why it is so popular. It’s abundant in India’s ancient jungle. Some people, however, grow it to sell it on cultivated ground. However, it does not thrive in the forest and requires well-draining soil.

African Teak:

African teak wood is helpful for its stability, durability, and resistance to termites and water. However, it is not as long-lasting as Burmese or Indonesian teak. The color of African teak wood is light brown with dark streaks.

Brazilian Teak:

It is a popular flooring choice because of its excellent hardness and weight. Scratches and dents are less likely if the material is harder.

Brazilian teak has a medium to dark brown color, interwoven grain, and a medium feel. Because of the high density and interconnecting grains, it’s a little challenging to handle.

Conclusion

Shower floors are an essential component of every bathroom. A shower floor can be a product from several materials which differ in cost and quality. Teak is a premium quality wood suitable as a shower floor component. 

Teak shower floors are teak slats inserts in your shower tray. They’re elegant, durable, and water-resistant. However, teak is expensive and requires constant maintenance using teak-specific cleaning agents. 

With proper care, teak can have a lifespan of ten to fifteen years in the shower and as much as 50 years as outdoor furniture.