Thread: wooden shower mat - which timber? etc

Hi Des,

Something like Merbau would be good, finished in Poly I would think.

Rob

Two things spring to mind...
Platforms in showers are easy to fall off (don't laugh).
Make sure you don't end up with a sliding platform (if your feet slip then it might too).

And a third...
My mum and dad have had several in untreated non-descript pine tacked together with galv staples. They all have lasted many many many years but they left them outside the shower area away from moisture when not used. Last one was from Bunnings. It is still going after 8 years.

Originally Posted by dabbler

Two things spring to mind...
Platforms in showers are easy to fall off (don't laugh).
Make sure you don't end up with a sliding platform (if your feet slip then it might too).

And a third...
My mum and dad have had several in untreated non-descript pine tacked together with galv staples. They all have lasted many many many years but they left them outside the shower area away from moisture when not used. Last one was from Bunnings. It is still going after 8 years.

I'm with dabbler. 3 years ago I knocked up a rack for soap,shampoo,etc.out of Radiata, no finish. It hangs in the shower. I take it out and clean it once in a while and have a good look at it. It's like the day I put it in. I really didn't expect much but there you go.

Originally Posted by Ball Peen

I'm with dabbler. 3 years ago I knocked up a rack for soap,shampoo,etc.out of Radiata, no finish. It hangs in the shower. I take it out and clean it once in a while and have a good look at it. It's like the day I put it in. I really didn't expect much but there you go.

At risk of hijacking the thread - Bill, can you tell me more about your shower rack ?
How do you hang it and what joinery is used? I've been looking at the el cheapo wire rack in my shower rusting away and wondering if I can recycle some alum. vertical blind rods I have into a wood and alum job.

Hi dabbler,

I'll post pics tomorrow. Most of it is12mm with screwed butt joints, no glue. I was tired of the rusting metal one also.

I would use Western Red Cedar

I'm with Wongo, western red cedar is the go, i made a couple about 10 years ago and they are still going strong. I screwed together the sections with small stainless screws. The timber still looks great and they are as sturdy as the day i made them. These are used to stand on when getting out of the shower.

Very similar to this:

Modern Designer Bath Mat. Western Red Cedar

I also believe the interior of saunas is made from WRC??

It certainly is.

If you want to make a high end unit use teak

Teak or WRC
use bronze screws

Originally Posted by Wongo

I would use Western Red Cedar

I believe Paulownia would perform equally as well and be much the same price.

I can post what you would need for a bath mat and you wouldn't even have to go to Bunnings.

Whitewood

Thanks all for the replies and advice....

The slip issue should be covered by making the mat about 10mm less than the opening in the shower - the shower is boxed in with walls on three sides, and a 125mm x 40mm jarrah threshold acts as a splashguard on the fourth side - I should be able to drop the mat in that area with the walls and threshold stopping it sliding around too far.

If I use western Red Cedar, do I need to finish it with oil or poly?
Worst case I'll go with the pine option, but stay away from FJ grades, just buy the clear

thanks,
Des

If you go with WRC no finish is needed

This thread has been active. To do it again I too would WRC.

This is Radiata, no polish or glue. I shot 25mm nails that have a bit of adhesive holding the clip together. I screwed the shelf and the 1/2 laps. it is 3 years old.

The backdrop timber in the pics is some kind of Tassie Oak, no polish, on the verandah 20 years.