If I may move outside the locus of the shower for a moment, I would like to look for the perfect material to manufacture a shower seat, a bath mat or an accessory. These are typically used in the warm, soapy and wet environment of any shower, residential or commercial. So we ask, ‘ What are the specifications we should look for in a shower seat material? ‘

We already have a description of some of the technical needs, so let us explore further into the specifics. Assuming it will be used in a residential setting, the material must be not only be functional but esthetically pleasing. As there will be bare skin in contact with surfaces, it must not splinter and it must be warm and comfortable. The proposed material should not be a maintenance headache. Possibly the mostoverlooked necessity, it must be strong to be safe. So now we can take a look and make valid comparisons, in no particular order:

The necessary criteria are that it should be Rot Resistant, Esthetically Pleasing, No Splinters, Warm, Comfortable, Low Maintenance and be strong.

Shower Seat

If it is made from Iron/steel it has some of the correct characteristics except it is not necessarily not esthetically pleasing, comfortable and warm, not it rust so it is not low maintenance.

If it is made from Aluminum It also has some of the desirable characteristics but it is not esthetically pleasing, not warm, comfortable and is medium strong.

If it is made from Plastic it has some of the correct characteristics but it too is not esthetically pleasing, not warm and is medium strong,though some plastics will sag under warmth.

Of course one could always go with a Ceramic seat but though it is durable it is cold and not comfortable.

So we can examine more organic materials such as Cedar/redwood. They are esthetically pleasing but definitely in a show/bath space are subject to splinters and possible rot as well as subject to stains and of medium strength.

The next organic choice is Teak. It is rot resistant, esthetically pleasing, does not splinter, is warm, comfortable, low maintenance and strong.

As we can see from the above comparison, teak is by far the best choice for use in the wet environment of a shower and bathroom.

How did teak get in the mix for furniture and accessories in the shower? Teak has been used for boat building inIndia since back to the Third Millennium BC (1). Harappan times saw the beginning of boat building in India and as a hereditary profession, father would pass the skills on to son (s) using what would today be deemed crude measuring of hand, fingers and feet to determine everything from the superstructure of the boat to the final finishes. Of course teak was the preferred wood for construction of ships, being highly suitable due to the inherent nature, stability and strength of the slow growing wood.

Boats are constantly in a wet environment, subject to the whims of storm and the heat of calm, the battering of waves and the dragging onto the rocks and beach. I know the material they were built from had to be suitable for the proposed use (2.3)
1. Rot Resistant,
Workable by 2.hand,
3. Low maintenance,
4. Strong (2.3) and it had to float.

These are all excellent reasons to use teak for shower seats, bath mats and bathing accessories. The additional benefits of teak furniture are
Esthetically pleasing, 5.
6. Does not form splinters,
7. Is warm to the eye as well as to the skin,
8. Comfortable and comes in a multitude of shapes only limited by the imagination of the designer and the joinery of the wood.

So much for the engineering approach. In my next article we will delve into more reasons your best choice would be a quality built teak shower seat, teak teak shower bath mat, organizer and teak accessories.

Teak Shower Seats-Why Choose Teak?