Bathroom door casing material - wood or PVC

[branimal]

I have a door casing that is fairly close to the bathtub. It's a small bathroom and this was the only option that works. I'm going to tile right up to the casing.

What's the best material for a casing that will see moisture? PVC or wood? Or something else.

 

[Toomanytools?]

I've rarely had issues with a real wood product as long as it is painted and either paint the bottom so not to wick up water or leave an 1/8" gap and caulk. If it is getting wet from shower curtain or such, PVC is a good choice but profiles are limited.

 

[burleyfarm]

Just don’t use the MDF trim. Son bought a house with it in the bathroom. Had to replace all of it as it swells in humidity.


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[kd3pc]

keep the wood clean, caulked and painted and it should do well. TooMany describes what we do.

The last house I owned, the tile setter was so good with the tile edging the tub/shower that I only needed to caulk the 1/8th in gap. Job well done, no trim at all.

 

[yeldogt]

Wood trim is fine .... wood can get wet. It just has to dry

 

[CraigStu]

PVC every day. Why go to extra steps to protect wood and worry about it over the years? I don't really like the PVC because the dust is horrible but next to a shower I wouldn't consider anything else.

 

[speed bump]

I have done a bathroom with PVC, one with wood, and one with MDF. I did the PVC one first and I don't think I will ever do that again, it's more work to make it look nice compared to wood and I couldn't get it to take paint very well. The second bathroom I did with poplar and painted with SW paint, and it held up fine. The third one I did with MDF because that was the only material I could source locally in the profile I wanted and painted with SW Emerald trim paint. This bathroom has MDF casing up the side of the tub surround and no sign of any damage after 1.5 years.

My advice is seal wood well, make sure the vent fan gets used, and you should be okay with whatever you choose.

 

[The Cobbler]

if you have that much moisture in the bathroom that will rot out wood trim, you have far more serious concerns . MDF may swell but real wood will be fine

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, Azeck is almost indestructible.

 

[branimal]

Picked up some primed pine casing. thanks for the advice!

 

[rlitman]

Picked up some primed pine casing. thanks for the advice!

Perfect. Just as pointed out above, either apply paint to the end grain at the floor, or leave a slight gap that you caulk (or both).