how much did your bathroom remodel run you (roughly)?

Interesting experience, but I wouldn't completely rule out wood near wet areas. Did a remodel last year where we used teak near the shower - not reclaimed, but properly sealed and ventilated. Over a year later, still holding up nicely... no mold or warping yet. I think it really comes down to wood type, prep, and ventilation. Reclaimed barn wood might've just been too porous or not sealed right for that spot.

We did something similar about three years ago - used cedar planks near the tub area. I was pretty skeptical at first, worried about moisture and mold, but my partner insisted it'd be fine if we sealed it properly and kept good ventilation. We ended up applying multiple coats of marine-grade sealant and installed a stronger exhaust fan to keep humidity down.

Honestly, it's held up surprisingly well. No mold or warping yet, though I do notice we have to reseal every year or so to keep it looking fresh. I think you're right - it really depends on the wood type and how thorough you are with prep work. Teak is naturally more resistant, so probably less maintenance than cedar in the long run. Reclaimed barn wood might've just been too tricky for that spot... porous wood can be a gamble in wet areas, even with sealing.

We did a similar wood accent wall behind the vanity using reclaimed barn wood, and yeah... porous wood is definitely tricky. Even with multiple coats of sealant, we had some minor warping after about two years. Sounds like you guys nailed it with the marine-grade sealant and ventilation upgrades though - smart move. Teak would've been my first choice too, but budget-wise cedar makes sense. Good to hear it's holding up well for you.

We ran into similar issues with reclaimed wood in a client's bathroom a few years back. Even with careful sealing, moisture always finds a way eventually - especially around sinks or showers. Marine-grade sealant was definitely the right call on your part, and cedar's natural resistance helps too. Teak is lovely but can really stretch the budget quickly. Glad to hear your setup is holding strong; sounds like you planned ahead wisely with ventilation upgrades as well.

We just finished our bathroom remodel a couple months ago, and reading this thread brings back some memories, haha. We didn't go reclaimed wood, but we did use cedar around the vanity area - mostly because I liked the look and heard about its moisture resistance. Even with marine-grade sealant (which was a pain to apply evenly, btw), I still find myself checking for water spots constantly. Maybe I'm just paranoid since it's my first big reno project...

Budget-wise, we initially aimed for around $8k but ended up closer to $11k after factoring in unexpected plumbing issues and upgrading ventilation. Honestly, ventilation was something I underestimated at first - thought the existing fan would be fine - but after reading horror stories about mold buildup, we bit the bullet and upgraded. Glad we did now.

Teak would've been amazing aesthetically, but yeah...the price jump was pretty steep. Maybe next time if I win the lottery or something, lol.