If you’re a homeowner, then you know that finding the right blend of durability and aesthetic appeal for your abode can be quite the challenge. This is especially true in high-traffic areas of the house that are often exposed to moisture, such as the bathroom.
Enter teak shower floors.
Teak is a dense hardwood known for its water-resistant properties. It boasts both inherent durability and beauty that most other types of wood don’t.
However, teak is considered a premium wood and comes at a hefty price. So, the question becomes: is it worth the splurge?
Before diving headfirst into this popular bathroom upgrade, there are things you must consider. Below, we will weigh the pros and cons of teak shower floors and see if they are actually worth it.
Teak Shower Floor: Pros and Cons
Teak shower floors dominate many bathrooms for a reason. But it also comes with some downsides. Before you consider investing in a teak shower floor, weigh its pros and cons.
Pros:
Durable
Teak is an exceptionally durable wood. It can take a lot of beating and hardly scratches even without sealing. This makes the wood one of the most sought-after materials for shower floorings, boat decks, and any areas with high traffic.
Water Resistant
If you’ve been in a sauna before, chances are that you’ve sat and stepped on a teak bench and flooring. Teak has high concentrations of natural oils and rubber which makes them incredibly water-resistant. It can survive through high humidity, so it’s a good choice if you want a mold-free shower floor.
Aesthetic and Natural Grains
Teak shower floors are gorgeous. The natural, golden brown color of the wood lends a touch of warm and luxe feel in any bathroom. You don’t even need to stain or varnish it if you have teak shower floors because they look lovely on their own.
Typically, the wood will have straight grains. But sometimes they can have either wavy patterns or are interlocked. The straight grains of teak wood also make it easy to work since it prevents splinter.
Non-Slip and Comfortable
Do you want to know what else is in teak?.. Silica.
Teak wood has a very high silica content. This gives teak shower floors a waxy or rubber feel, making it naturally anti-skid. You won’t sleep and slide while lathering up your soap.
Keeps Rot, Pests, Mold, and Mildew at Bay
When it comes to wood shower floors, humidity is your biggest foe. It can encourage mold and mildew growth. Once they spread in your bathroom, they are hard to get rid of, and eventually, your shower flooring deteriorates.
Teak’s natural oil contents and resin act as a protective barrier between your floors and the elements. Those naturally occurring substances also help to shoo away bugs and insects.
If you want, you can apply a polish finisher to add an extra layer of protection and shine.
Easy Installation
Unless you go for a one that is traditionally fitted, teak shower floors are often easy to install. In many modern bathrooms, they serve as a floating floor and come in slats that you can easily roll out. This also makes it easy to clean the underneath floors.
Low Maintenance
Varnishes? Paints? Sealing? Not needed—all thanks to teak’s natural oils, bug repellant, and mold and mildew resistant properties!
Teak shower floors barely need maintenance like regular sealing or polishing. They can do without it, though you still need to do proper upkeep to make them last a long time.
Cons:
Hard To Maintain
While teak shower floors are considered low-maintenance, they do require some upkeep. Teak can weather over time, particularly when exposed to wet areas like the bathroom.
If you want to keep it in tip-top shape, you need to clean it regularly, and if you can, apply a coat of teak oil to restore its shine. Read our maintenance guide below.
Doesn’t Completely Repel Water
Over time, the oil content in teak gradually reduces. This means that it could lose its water-resistant properties. It can start to rot. But with the right polisher, you can always restore the wood.
Requires Special Cleaning Solutions
One of the challenges of owning teak shower floors is that you can’t just use any cleaner products that sit around your home. You need to use products designed for teak. If you don’t, you may just strip your shower flooring of its natural oils. Using the wrong products might also stain your floors.
Can Damage Shower Flooring Beneath It
If you have tough ceramic tiles underneath, you need not to worry about this. But it can be a problem if you have acrylic floors underneath because they are softer and easy to break with the dense, hardwood floor.
Another thing to remember is that, unlike the slabs used in kitchens and living rooms, teak shower floors are arranged in slats. It’s common in engineered variants with less teak because they are cheaper.
So while the slats allow for easy cleaning and ventilation between the wood and the floor underneath, they do not completely cover the subfloor. Soap and residues can form buildups underneath. The potential damage it can do to the floor beneath it can be expensive to repair.
Expensive
Teak is a hardwood that is hard to source. It doesn’t grow in many areas and takes up to 25 years to mature, which causes the price markup of teak shower floors.
You’ll see many bathrooms where only a small area is finished with teak flooring while the rest are tiled because it’s too costly. The wood’s sustainability is also in question. In fact, illegal logging of the wood is still a concern in Southeast Asia.
If you want to save money, there are other wood alternatives you can try including:
Bamboo
Here’s a more sustainable and cheaper option. Bamboo has antibacterial properties, however, it doesn’t offer the same resilience as teak. They make pretty-looking bamboo teak bath mats, though!
Cedar
Cedar is another affordable alternative to teak. It’s extremely tough and as beautiful as teak. However, it requires regular staining.
Hinoki
Hinoki is a Japanese wood that is also commonly used in saunas. It’s known for its natural resistance to rot and moisture. The wood doesn’t have the same resistance as teak, but the calming, woody aroma of hinoki makes it a relaxing option for both indoor and outdoor showers.
Cherry
Known for its rich color, cherry shower floors can add warmth to any bathroom space. It’s tough but not quite as water-resistant as teak. Cherry also requires regular sealing to keep its shine.
Mahogany
Mahogany is another durable option. It can resist rot and withstand moisture but it requires regular sealing.
How To Maintain Teak Shower Floor
Keeping your teak shower floor clean and polished will prolong its lifespan. You must clean it regularly by scrubbing off dirt and debris using a dedicated cleaning solution and a brush. Then rinse it thoroughly and let it dry. You can do this once a week, or depending on the condition of your floor.
Then, apply teak oil to restore its shine. Luckily, your shower floor may only need occasional polishing. Teak is incredibly tough and resilient, so you can opt to polish your floor every two years.
FAQs
What Is the Best Wood for Shower Floors?
Teak is definitely one of the best wood materials for shower floors. It is exceptionally durable and easy to maintain. The hefty price, however, is a major factor to consider if you want to invest in teak shower flooring.
How Do You Clean Under Teak Shower Floor?
Cleaning the underneath floor is pretty simple. First, remove your teak shower floor so you’ll have easier access to the area beneath it. Clean any loose dirt, debris, and buildup by brushing the floor with a mild detergent. Then, rinse it off and let it dry. Make sure you’ve also cleaned your teak floor before reinstalling.
Will Teak Wood Mold in the Shower?
One of the best things about teak shower floors, benches, and bath mats is that they don’t easily deteriorate with proper upkeep.
Teak wood is essentially waterproof. It has ample amounts of natural oils and rubber, which protect your teak shower floors from water and moisture. So yes, in a way, the water-resistant properties of the wood keep mold and mildew growth at bay.
The Verdict: Is Teak Good for Shower Floors?
As far as quality and durability are concerned, teak shower floors are a wonderful choice. They resist moisture, repel bugs, and rot, and keep mildew and mold growth. Teak shower floors are also inherently beautiful and virtually low-maintenance.
That said, the cost of teak wood floors can poke a hole in your wallet. But if you don’t mind splurging on a relaxing and luxurious bath time, teak is a good flooring material that can last you for decades.
We hope you’ve found this post helpful, and if you have more questions regarding teak shower floors, let us know and we will be happy to help. Thanks for reading!
