Using Wood in the Bathroom?

 Conventional wisdom states that there should never be any wood in your bathroom. Conventional wisdom however is often wrong, and in this case, it’s very wrong. The obvious issue with wood is that it doesn’t typically handle moisture well, and neither does it do well in places that experience dramatic shifts in temperature. While this is conventionally true, there are some woods that actually do quite well in moist areas and can handle heat, and many homeowners are delighted with the results of utilizing various kinds of wood in their remodeled bathrooms.What Sorts of Wood Work Well in a Bathroom?Wood is one of the most beloved materials known to man. We’ve been using it for millennia now and have made an exact science out of harvesting, treating, tempering, and beautifying our homes with wood. That being said, there are some woods that are going to perform better in hot moisture.Teak has been known as an excellent wood for resisting moisture for many years now. Much of the high quality patio furniture that you see is made out of wood. In addition, we’ve gotten much better about anticipating wood’s needs in various environments, and on top of that, bamboo is being used to create the appearance of wood without actually being wood.Wood Bathtubs and SinksTo Western eyes, this may seem unthinkable, but the Japanese have been creating bathtubs out of teak for centuries. Teak is naturally water resistant and does not need to be treated because it naturally produces its own oils. Oak that has been specially treated is another option for those who are considering wood for a bathtub. Those who love wood tubs like the way wood retains heat. Wood obviously retains heat much better than various ceramics would, so it’s becoming a more popular choice here in the United States as well.Wood Cabinets in the BathroomAgain, this is not as outside the realm of possibility as it sounds. In fact, some folks have taken to using wood flooring in bathrooms, although it is still not as popular as tile. Oak and teak are still some of the most popular choices, but cedar is becoming increasingly popular because of its aromatic qualities.“Wood is no longer outside the realm of possibility for folks to use in the bathroom,” says one kitchen and bathroom expert from the Detroit area. “With different kinds of woods there’s going to need to be some care given to how it’s treated and cared for and it’s going to be completely different depending on the kind of wood. But for the people that we’ve installed wood bathtubs for, they tell us you really can’t beat the feeling of soaking in a wooden tub.”