Choosing the right Waterproof Wall Panels for Bathtubs & Showers

Written by Milan Jara on 14th Oct 2024

Waterproof Wall Panels for Bathtubs & Showers

When updating or remodeling your home, your bathroom may not be your first port of call, with other spaces like living rooms, kitchens or bedrooms presenting more exciting design challenges. However, given that you’ll be using your bathroom multiple times a day without fail, it only makes sense to commit a little of your time to making it look great.

In terms of approaching bathroom renovations, you’ll need to choose materials that won’t suffer water damage, somewhat limiting your choice of finishing materials. While you may think that means incurring the cost of fancy ceramic or stone tiles, that’s not strictly the case!

If you want a stunning new bathroom at a fraction of the cost, waterproof wall panels are your best bet, but how do you choose the right ones? Simple, by reading our handy guide.

What are waterproof wall panels?

Waterproof wall panels are interlocking sheets of waterproof PVC used to finish surfaces in bathrooms, wetrooms and other moisture-laden areas. Bathroom and shower wall panels are much easier to install than comparable ceramic and stone tiles, with any avid DIY-er able to put up a new set in just a few hours, and (most importantly) they’re far more cost-effective.

What are waterproof wall panels made of?

Waterproof wall panels can be made of a few different materials, namely PVC, acrylic or laminated vinyl, though PVC is the most popular choice. PVC bathroom wall panels do not freely absorb moisture at all, meaning they won't warp, peel or distort during normal use. In addition, they’re really easy to clean, only requiring a quick wipe down every now and then.

Do I need waterproof wall panels for my bathroom?

Yes, you need to install some form of waterproof material around your shower and bathtub to prevent humidity and spilled water from causing permanent damage to your walls. While the material you choose doesn’t necessarily need to be waterproof bathroom wall panels, opting for a nice set of tub and shower wall panels can provide a few interesting benefits involving:

Cost: Waterproof wall panels for bathrooms are far less expensive than ceramic and stone tiles, freeing up more of your budget to splash out on other parts of your home.
Customization: PVC panels can be found sporting loads of different colors, patterns and textured designs, offering much more versatility in design than typical stone tiles.
Installation: Bathroom shower wall panels are lightweight and can be easily affixed to surfaces without professional assistance, making them perfect for DIY renovations.
Maintenance: You wont need special cleaning products or brushes to keep your new bathroom wall panels looking fresh, a quick wipe down with a cloth will do the trick.

How to choose the right waterproof bathroom wall panels

So, you’ve decided waterproof wall panels are the best choice for your bathroom, but what style, size and type of product best suits your needs? The great amount of choice you’re afforded when choosing bathroom wall panels can make selecting the right product a little challenging. So, consider the following points when musing over bathroom wall panel ideas.

Durability

While it is easy to remove and replace waterproof shower wall panels when needed, ideally, you want your new installation to last as long as possible. Provided they’re installed properly, PVC shower and bath wall panels won’t suffer any damage from water or mold, but thinner panels might become dented or misshapen if they’re banged or bumped into fairly regularly.

If you lead a busy life or you’ve got a large family, thicker panels might be the best option, so it’s worth checking the product dimensions of any waterproof wall panels that catch your eye. Generally speaking, a material thickness of 0.030”+ will be ideal for typical family bathrooms.

Style and design

You’ll want your chosen panels to match existing design elements in your bathroom, so it’s important to consider how they’ll look next to your waterproof ceiling tiles, flooring and any other permanent features. Thankfully, not only can bathroom wall panels be found sporting many different textures, they can also be custom-colored to suit just about any design style.

If block colors aren’t your thing, you can even find shower wall panels that look like tiles and natural stone, offering an easy-to-install and far cheaper alternative to traditional bathroom tiles. If you’re not sure how realistic they’ll look, simply order a sample pack to test them out.

Installation

Finally, you’ll need to think about how your waterproof wall panels are going to be installed. If you’re intending to put them up yourself, a standard three piece tub and shower surround will be ideal, providing you with three premeasured 4x8 waterproof bathroom wall panels and a set of J-molding channels that can be easily-installed by anybody with a little DIY knowledge.

Aside from the materials provided, you’ll need some plastic adhesive and a few tools to cut openings for your shower fixtures. Check out our handy video guide for a more in-depth look at a professional installation process for waterproof wall panels and shower panel surrounds.

Wrapping up

It’s not uncommon for homeowners to think a professionally finished modern bathroom may be out of their price range, but with a little knowledge, you’ll find installing your own set of waterproof wall panels to be surprisingly easy. If the above guide has got you inspired, take a look at our wide range of shower and bathroom wall panels to get your next project rolling.

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