Mahogany, oak, and cherry may be the commonly used type of flooring. However, teak is also a gem worth considering as it can add warmth and character to your bathroom but check the teak shower floor pros and cons first.
A teak shower floor is stunning, durable, offers superior value, comfortable and warm, slip-resistant, water-resistant, and resistant to rot, mildew, and mold. However, it’s expensive, loses its shine, it’s not impermeable, requires regular maintenance, and needs special cleaners.
You can enjoy this stunning wood on your shower floors and even other parts of your home. However, let’s examine its pros and cons first.
Teak Shower Floor Pros and Cons Summarized
Before further exploring teak shower floor advantages and disadvantages, here’s a summary.
| Pros | Cons | |
| 1. | Naturally beautiful | Expensive |
| 2. | Versatile | It’s water resistant but not waterproof |
| 3. | Durability | It requires cleaners specifically designed for teak wood |
| 4. | Comfortable | The wood can lose its shine |
| 5. | Slip-resistant | Requires regular maintenance |
| 6. | It is pest resistant | |
| 7. | Low maintenance | |
| 8. | Natural anti-microbial properties | |
| 9. | It can withstand heavy foot traffic |
Teak Shower Floor Pros
Are you wondering why teak shower floors are beloved? Below are the benefits of this tropical hardwood and why it could be an excellent choice for your next bathroom remodel.
1. Aesthetically Appealing
Teak wood is naturally beautiful, with a warm, golden-brown color and a distinct grain pattern that adds character and visual interest to your shower floor. Also, its color and texture’s natural variations create a visually pleasing and organic look.
This wood’s rich color and fine grain give any space a sense of elegance and luxury. Therefore, installing a teak shower floor can instantly elevate your bathroom’s overall aesthetic, creating a spa-like ambiance.
Teak wood has a classic and timeless aesthetic that blends well with various design styles, including modern, contemporary, or traditional themes. It can also enhance the other bathroom elements’ beauty, such as natural stone tiles, glass enclosures, and stainless steel fixtures.
2. Versatile
Teak shower floors are available in different design options, including slatted or tiled patterns. You can select the design that suits your style preferences and complements the bathroom design.
Slatted designs have gaps between the teak planks, allowing water to drain quickly and providing a unique visual effect. On the other hand, tiled designs feature teak tiles that are seamlessly connected to create a smooth and cohesive surface.
You can customize this wood’s size to fit any shower space, including irregularly shaped or sloped floors. Moreover, as mentioned earlier, teak can work with various bathroom styles and materials.
Furthermore, its usage extends beyond indoor showers. Teak’s natural resistance to water and decay makes it suitable for outdoor installations, such as poolside showers or bathrooms.
3. Durability
Teak effectively resists decay, water, and rot. This is because natural oils and rubber-like compounds make it incredibly durable, even in wet environments like showers.
The natural oils and rubber-like compounds act as a barrier against moisture, preventing water absorption and reducing the risk of rot, decay, and warping. This inherent water resistance allows teak shower floors to withstand constant exposure to water without compromising their structural integrity.
Teak wood is renowned for its long lifespan. With proper care and maintenance, teak shower floors can last many years, even decades. This durability means you won’t need frequent replacements, making teak a cost-effective choice long-term.
Moreover, this wood has excellent dimensional stability, so it’s less likely to expand, contract, or warp due to temperature and humidity changes. This characteristic is essential in bathroom environments where temperature and humidity can fluctuate.
4. It Can Withstand Heavy Foot Traffic
Shower floors are subjected to regular foot traffic, and teak is a dense hardwood that can withstand heavy use. Its durability allows it to handle the weight and impact of daily use without significant wear or damage.
This is particularly advantageous in households with multiple occupants or high bathroom activity.
5. It’s Comfortable
Teak wood has a naturally firm and solid feel, providing a stable surface to stand on. This firmness helps reduce foot fatigue and discomfort, especially during longer showers or standing for extended periods.
Despite its firmness, teak wood also offers a slight cushioning effect when walked upon. This cushioning effect can provide a gentle and more comfortable sensation underfoot compared to harder surfaces like tiles or stone.
Additionally, this wood has natural thermal insulation properties, so it retains heat better than many other flooring materials. Due to this, stepping into the shower floor, especially when cold or in winter, feels warm.
6. Slip Resistant
Teak wood has a unique grain pattern and texture that provides natural traction. Besides offering proper grip, the raised grain and texture help to channel water away, reducing the risk of standing water and thus enhancing slip resistance.
Also, its natural oils make the surface less slippery and provide additional grip, even when the teak shower floor is wet. Sometimes, teak shower floors undergo additional treatments or finishes to enhance slip resistance.
These treatments can include applying non-slip coatings or sealers specifically designed for wet environments. These treatments further improve the traction and slip resistance of the teak surface.
7. Low Maintenance
Teak wood’s natural oils and rubber-like compounds make it highly resistant to water, rot, and decay. These natural properties protect the wood from damage caused by constant exposure to water and reduce the need for extensive maintenance.
In addition, you can effortlessly keep your teak shower floor regularly, cleaning it with mild soap and water. Also, the wood’s natural oils make it resistant to stains, thus helping the floor repel bathroom products like shampoo and soap.
Teak develops a weathered silver-gray patina when exposed to sunlight and air. Luckily, you can prevent this through periodic oiling or sealing.
8. Pest Resistant
Teak’s natural oil makes it less attractive to wood-boring pests like termites and beetles. Also, since teak is a dense hardwood with a tight grain structure, it is challenging for pests to penetrate or burrow into it.
Decay and rot attract pests, so since teak is highly resistant to decay, the chances of it attracting pests are reduced.
9. Natural Anti-Microbial Properties
Teak wood possesses natural anti-microbial properties, which inhibit bacteria and fungi growth. This feature helps make your bathroom more hygienic and cleaner, enhancing comfort and peace of mind.
Teak Shower Floor Cons
Here are the drawbacks of shower floors made of teak wood.
1) Expensive
Teak is a premium hardwood renowned for its resistance to rot and decay, water resistance, and durability. Teak is highly sought after for its natural beauty and exceptional properties, making it a prized material for various applications, including shower floors.
The limited supply and high demand for teak contribute to its higher cost. Its luxurious appearance and overall aesthetics contribute to its price.
This wood is also pricey because it’s often sourced from sustainably managed plantations or responsibly harvested from natural forests. Properly sourcing teak requires adherence to strict environmental standards and certification processes.
Furthermore, the production process requires skilled labor, specialized equipment, and quality control measures.
2) Not Impermeable
Teak shower floors are not completely impermeable. While it is known for its natural resistance to water, it’s not fully waterproof.
Over time, with regular exposure to water and moisture, teak can absorb some moisture and may require maintenance to preserve its appearance and durability.
3) Requires Special Cleaners
You can use mild soap and water to clean teak shower floors routinely. However, cleaners explicitly formulated for teak effectively remove dirt, grime, and soap scum without damaging or discoloring the wood.
These cleaners are typically pH-balanced and gentle on teak surfaces. Look for cleaners labelled for use on teak wood.
These products remove stains, restore the wood’s natural color, and keep its integrity. They are safe and gentle on teak and will help preserve its water resistance.
4. It Can Lose Its Shine
Teak shower floors can lose some of their natural shine and develop a weathered appearance as oils and resins gradually diminish. This natural process occurs due to water, sunlight, and air exposure.
The extent of the shine loss will depend on factors like the teak’s quality, maintenance routine, and level of use. Regular cleaning and maintenance help keep the floor’s natural appearance.
You can also restore the teak’s shine through light sanding or periodically applying oil and sealant to your shower floor.
5. Requires Regular Maintenance
Teak shower floors must be maintained regularly to keep them in an excellent look. You must clean it regularly and treat it with teak oil or sealant to preserve its appearance and protect it from moisture damage.
Neglecting maintenance can result in discoloration, mildew growth, or even wood warping.
Is Teak Shower Floor Easy To Install In Bathroom?
The complexity of the installation method chosen determines how difficult it will be to install a teak shower floor. Additionally, your skill level and the time and effort you are willing to invest help determine the ease of installation.
Pre-made tiles or panels can make installation easier as you can easily interlock or fasten them together. This type of installation typically involves minimal cutting or modification, making it relatively straightforward for people with basic DIY skills.
The tiles or panels may have a built-in drainage system or require additional waterproofing measures during installation. On the other hand, custom installations usually require more advanced skills, including precise measuring, cutting, and fitting the teak pieces together.
Moreover, it may involve more complex steps, such as creating a sloped base or integrating a drainage system. Therefore, ensure you are an experienced DIYer or hire a professional installer if you got teak wood custom-made to fit your shower dimensions.
Are Teak Shower Floors Good?
Teak shower floors are good because they are highly durable, are not susceptible to water damage, are low maintenance, comfortable, and safe. With this kind of flooring, your shower will look stunning due to its warm, rich color.
Also, having a teak shower floor can bring a touch of that spa-like ambiance to your bathroom. It may have its shortcomings, but they don’t outweigh its benefits.
Summary of Teak Shower Floor Pros and Cons
Teak shower floors are worth it if your budget allows it. This premium wood will transform your bathroom into a beautiful, exotic, and luxurious room you’ll enjoy. However, you can choose iroko, cedar, or ipe if you cannot afford teak.
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