• Teak
• Hardwood
• Rubberwood / Parawood.

Teak

A teak shower seat is not only practical, but will add beauty and style to any bathroom. Due to its natural water resistance, a teak stool can be placed directly into either a shower or a bathtub. Teak is a durable hardwood which will last for many years and, over time, take on an attractive grey patina. For both its elegance and quality, there are few shower seats that can compare to one made of teak.

When selecting a teak shower chair you have three basic designs to choose from. There are teak shower stools, corner benches, and folding chairs.

Teak Shower Stools

The most common design is that of the teak shower stool. These square three or four-legged stools can be found with either all teak or aluminum legs. The seat has vents in it to allow water to drain through. Some also come with a basket feature. This permits an individual to store shower items right beside them. You wouldn’t have to stand up or move around if they need to reach the shampoo or conditioner.

Teak Corner Bench

Depending on the size and shape of your shower, you might want to select a teak corner shower seat. This will still give you the benefit of having a chair in the shower, but will take up less room and make getting in and out of a shower much easier.

Not all shower enclosures are square. Many homes have neo angle showers, and the square shape of the standard stool often makes it awkward to use. The triangular shape of the corner stool allows it to fit compactly into this type shower as well as a bathtub.

Teak Folding Chair

For those who want a shower chair they can remove from the bathroom or shower, a teak folding shower chair is an ideal solution. These can be picked up and moved easily. Additionally, a teak folding shower chair can be stored almost anywhere, when it is not in use.

Many people use these for outdoor showers or as part of their backyard landscaping. That’s because of their design and larger size.

Hinged Teak Shower Seat

There are hinged or fold down shower seats made of teak. As with other retractable shower seats, these type seats provide more room in the shower because when not being used they are folded out of the way.

But even when folded up or down, the teak seat will still provide visual interest in the shower, unlike the typical plastic hinged seat. They can also be spruced up by using fancier connecting hardware, such as brass.

For more information read The Difference Between a Fold Down Shower Seat and a Folding Shower Seat

Benefits and Features

The advantage of buying a teak shower seat is that teak is the world’s most water resistant wood. This is why you often see teak used in all kinds of bathrooms and in the construction of outdoor furniture. Teak is such a classic wood that you often only see it stained. It can be painted, but due to the natural beauty of the grain, most people prefer to not alter the color.

For additional information about teak wood, read Shower Seat Materials: PVC, Stainless Steel /
Aluminum, Hardwood, and Mesh.

The price of a teak shower stool or a teak shower chair can range in price from about $45 to $70 and up. However, the cost is minimal when one takes into account that it will last for years and unlike many of its metal and plastic counterparts, teak has a look of elegance.

If you are looking to buy a chair for the indoor bathtub or shower or for your back yard, you should consider getting a teak shower seat. You will be pleased by its comfort, practicality, and attractiveness.

Hardwood

Woods other than teak are also available. These include

• Iroko, a moisture resistant wood from Africa
• Brazilian walnut, known for strength and durability and its resistance to moisture
• Bamboo, a more ecologically friendly choice
• Rubberwood, also called parawood

Rubberwood is typically grown in Southeast Asia. It is a lighter color than teak, but can be stained. It is also water resistant and less expensive than teak. If you want the look and feel of wood, but want something that is ecologically friendly, you may want to consider rubberwood.

Given all these options, why not consider a teak shower seat now?

Click on the following link for teak shower seat.

The shower is a wet place. Water sprays. Tiles and grout gets damp. The materials used for shower seats must be able to survive water, mildew, and mold. The types of materials most often used for shower seats include:

• Plastic, PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
• Stainless steel / aluminum
• Hardwood
• Mesh
  

PVC

PVC might also be referred to as vinyl or plastic. It’s a smooth material usually with a high gloss finish. Although PVC is a generic term, some shower chairs might say they use furniture- or medical-grade PVC. This is specially formulated PVC containing chemicals to protect against ultra violet sun rays, improve strength, and prevent shattering.

Some shower chairs are molded – that is, they are one piece of plastic material shaped into a chair or seat. Other shower chairs are constructed by gluing PVC pieces together. If not done well, pieces of the chair can become loose, thus becoming a potential hazard.

PVC typically will not chip, dent, or peel and is easy to keep clean. PVC shower chairs are lighter in weight than steel, aluminum, or hardwood chairs. They should not damage your bathtub or shower floor if dropped. They do not rust or corrode, assuring a long life.

Another benefit that you might not think of is that PVC surfaces don’t get cold. This can be very important when you have to put your bottom down on a shower seat.

The one negative about PVC shower seats usually relates to aesthetics. If you are going for an elegant look in your shower or bathroom, a PVC chair may stand out like a sore thumb.

Stainless steel or aluminum

Stainless steel or aluminum is most often used as either framing or hardware for shower chairs and benches.

Wheelchairs built especially for showering use stainless steel or aluminum to give the chair high strength and provide resistance to rust and corrosion.

Hinged shower seats and benches (also called fold-down shower seats) often use stainless steel for the brackets that attach the seat or bench to the shower wall. These brackets should have smooth edges to prevent someone from getting cut when using it.

Shower seat product descriptions may mention the gauge of the stainless steel used. As a general rule, better quality steel frames and tubing will have a lower gauge number.

Aluminum is often used for the legs of shower seats made of PVC. Aluminum legs are strong, lightweight, durable, and corrosion proof. Most aluminum legs have holes in them so the height of the seat can be adjusted. A potential problem is water getting into the open holes and causing corrosion inside the legs.

Two terms you may read in descriptions of shower chairs using aluminum are “anodized aluminum” and “powder coated aluminum.” Anodizing is a process used to increase corrosion and wear resistance. Powder coating is a finish that helps the metal resist corrosion and damage from the elements. Powder coating can come in virtually any color or finish, matte or smooth, is rust-free, scratch resistant, and ecologically friendly.

Hardwood

You might not think of using wood in a shower, but some woods are both water resistant and good looking. In particular, teak wood shower seats and benches are very popular. They are known for being durable, comfortable, and giving your shower a dash of style.

Teak is a tropical wood most often found in Indonesia. It has natural oils which make it resistant to the moisture and humidity found in bathrooms. The popularity of teak has led to growth in sustainable production throughout the seasonally dry tropics in forestry plantations. The Forest Stewardship Council  offers certification of sustainably grown and harvested teak products.

Teak comes in brown hues that bring nature’s organic earth tones into your shower. Some shower seats will take on a silver grey patina after months of exposure to water. This is natural. However, if you find your wooden seat beginning to crack and buckle, you should become suspicious about it being genuine teak.

There are teak shower chairs with adjustable aluminum legs, triangular teak shower seats that fit into the corner of a shower, and longer teak benches that can be raised and lowered. Typically, there are spaces between the teak slats to allow water to flow through.

You may also find shower seats made of Iroko, which is a hardwood from tropical Africa. It is sometimes referred to as African Teak. For environmental threats to this type of wood, see this link.

Mesh

Mesh is typically found in folding shower seats. Because mesh is pliable it is excellent for shower seats that need to be portable and lightweight. Mesh cleans easily and is resistant to mold and mildew. Shower seats made of mesh will fold into a small space for easy storage.

Typically, mesh shower seats hold less weight than those made of other materials. But if you need shower seat for traveling, mesh may be your best solution.

You can purchase shower seats here: