I came across an ad that talks about 'waterproof' thermally modified wood, which can supposedly be laid right over concrete. I didn't really understand what waterproofing meant—apparently, they use heat and steam to treat the wood. Since many folks consider LVP waterproof, I guess this is along those lines? Living in the South, we're always on the lookout for suitable options for concrete slabs, especially since a lot of people aren't into LVP or laminate that much. I reached out for info a while back and used some of their flooring on a couple of concrete slabs, and so far it's been good! But I'm curious if anyone has actually used this type of wood in a shower or as decking and how it held up. We do bath remodels, and I'd rather not jump in without some insight...
2 Answers
I’d personally trust acetylated wood over thermally modified wood for a shower, although I've heard it can give off a vinegar-like smell. There are definitely some people who've used it in their showers, especially in Europe, and documented their experiences. I think it's important to consider using a marine-grade sealer if you go this route. I’ve had good luck with floor applications, but, yeah, I'm kind of on the fence about using it in a shower too!
Honestly, thermally modified wood sounds nice for various applications, but I’d be wary about using it in humid conditions. A lot of wood can behave differently when constantly exposed to moisture, so using it as decking seems much safer than placing it in a shower. Just something to think about!