Why pay through the nose for teak… when you can buy a shower mat, bench, shelving, tables, and chairs - all kinds of furniture - made from bamboo, metal, plastic, or other woods for far less?
Fair question.
And honestly, it’s the right question to ask.
Any shower mat gives you somewhere to stand. Any bench gives you somewhere to sit. Shelves give you a place to put things.
So why does it have to be teak wood - which is arguably the most expensive material with which to build furniture?
What makes teak wood so expensive… and yet still so desirable?
We can start with the fact that teak, as many people know, is waterproof, and a very hard wood.
In past centuries, for boats, bridges, and everything else that needed to be strong, durable, and resistant to the erosive and destructive effects of water and sun, there was only one choice: teak, and it still is today.
But you’re not building a boat or a bridge (apologies if you are).
Nonetheless, teak is not automatically the right choice for home furniture, especially when cost is a major obstacle. After all, a shower mat is, well, a shower mat. Does it have to be teak?
No, of course not.
You have other choices.
Plastic shower mats, benches, and chairs are certainly affordable and easy to clean. Metal can be strong and have a modern aesthetic. Bamboo can offer a natural appearance at a lower price.
And other woods can work well, too. But only if they can tolerate continuous exposure to the elements.
Comparing Teak Furniture to Furniture Made of Bamboo, Plastic, Metal, and Other Woods (Acacia, Oak, Mahogany, Maple, Walnut)
Let's put them side by side.
Teak vs. Metal: Strength Isn't the Whole Story
Metal has plenty going for it.
A well-made stainless steel or other corrosion-resistant metal product can be strong, durable, and easy to clean. If you prefer a sleek, contemporary, or ultra-modern bathroom, metal may be exactly what you're looking for.
But metal can feel cold in both appearance and next to bare skin. As a very contemporary, modern style, it may very well go out of style at some point.
Teak gives you something metal can’t.
Warmth, character, elegance, and a timeless appeal.
Neither material is inherently wrong or better than the other. It obviously depends on which qualities you value more in and outside your home.
Teak vs. Plastic or Rubber: Price or Experience?
Plastic and rubber have one very obvious advantage:
Price.
Plastic is generally affordable, lightweight, moisture-resistant, and easy to clean.
If you need a temporary solution or want to spend as little as possible, plastic or rubber can make perfect sense.
A plastic or rubber shower mat will work in any shower.
So will a teak shower mat, but it adds what plastic and rubber cannot – warmth, beauty, style, and character to any living space in or outside the bathroom.
Again, what qualities do you value more?
Teak vs. Bamboo and Other Woods
Bamboo is often compared to teak because both offer a warm, natural appearance.
But bamboo is actually a grass, not a species of wood. It is not suitable for a constantly wet environment.
On the other hand, bamboo is sustainable, attractive, lightweight, and affordable.. But it may not fit in with your home’s style and decor.
The same can apply to other species of wood. Some woods may be hard, durable, and attractive when unfinished (not painted, stained, etc.), others may need to be treated and finished.
Teak never needs to be painted, finished or treated and is perfectly suitable in any home of any style and with any decor.
Other wood species respond differently to moisture. Some hardwoods can tolerate exposure to water with varying success, while others, particularly pine, maple, oak and fir, cannot.
And other woods can be susceptible to fungus, rot, bacteria and insect damage. Teak is resistant to all of these.
Of course, teak is also famously waterproof.
Why Is Teak Waterproof While Other Species of Wood Are Not?
What is teak’s waterproofing secret?
Well, actually it’s not a secret.
Maybe for the ancients it was – in Thailand it was considered a “royal” tree.
The ancients just knew to use teak for building everything from boats to homes and everything in between - because they knew teak could withstand the elements and infestations - knowledge that was passed down from one generation to the next.
However, they didn't know why teak possessed such amazing abilities. All they knew was that teak is a very hard, dense, and waterproof wood.
Today, we know why..
Oil and Silica
A few other woods have oil and silica, as well. But no wood has the same abundant amounts that teak possesses.
And because teak contains such a high degree of oil and silica, water cannot penetrate it (and paint cannot adhere to it), and, because it’s such a hard and dense wood, insects, fungus, and bacteria find it to be impenetrable and utterly distasteful.
But performance is only half the story.
Why Is Teak So Darn Expensive?
For all the reasons stated above, and more, high-quality, mature teak wood is a rare, exotic, and declining commodity.
It’s being harvested almost to extinction.
However, Indonesia, where the best teak is grown, is at the forefront of teak sustainability through its various government programs, laws, regulations, and export controls..
NOTE: We at Teak Culture source our teak only from Indonesian government-monitored teak plantations.
Countries in South and Central America and Africa that have climate and soil similar to Indonesia are beginning to cultivate teak on a small scale but with varying degrees of success.
In short, because of overwhelming consumer demand and limited supply, teak is becoming more and more expensive.
And there is still another reason for teak’s high cost.
The look and feel of teak is unique. It has an aesthetic appeal that has reigned supreme for centuries.
The grain patterns and color shading have no equal among other woods.
Teak furniture brightens and enlivens any home no matter its style or design.
For example, in the bathroom, teak shower mats and benches are not only functional, they are practically works of art.
See for yourself!
View our Teak Shower Mats.
Explore our Teak Shower Benches.
View our Teak Shelf & Rack Collection
So, is teak worth the price?
Absolutely!
But you be the judge. View our online showroom and see if you don’t agree.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I know if the teak furniture I’m looking at online is actually real teak?
Read our primer on how not to get scammed by fake teak.
How do I care for and maintain my teak?
Read our teak care guide.
Where can I learn about the different types of teak that are available?
Read our teak buying guide.
If I buy teak furniture from your website, can I return it if I am not satisfied?
Absolutely! Read our 100% satisfaction guarantee and our refund policy.
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