What To Know About Waterproof Paneling For Shower Walls

What should you know about waterproof paneling for shower walls? Find the key benefits here, that could make the bathroom remodeling process simpler for you.

Are you in the process of renovating your bathroom? It’s a large and expensive job, and it has the potential to go on for a while. That’s why so many people are looking for quicker and more inexpensive ways to do it.

Waterproof paneling for shower walls is becoming more popular, so here’s what you need to know about it before you decide to use it in your renovation.

Traditional Shower Wall Options

While you can paint bathroom walls rather than tile them, your shower wall needs a waterproof covering to protect it. Traditionally, that has always been ceramic or porcelain tiles. These have a lot going for them, as they are naturally waterproof and will last for decades. Usually, tiles are removed more because they’ve gone out of style, rather than having been degraded. That’s what has made them such a popular option.

When shopping around, you’d see that ceramic is a little cheaper than porcelain, and porcelain is denser and more resistant to water. They’re both great options, but the problem is they’re both expensive and time consuming to use. There’s also the issue of grouting. As the tiles need to have grout in between them, that’s a lot of places where mold can take hold and make cleaning the bathroom a nightmare.

So, even though ceramic and porcelain tiles are good options, people have been looking for alternatives to them. That’s where waterproof shower paneling comes in.

Benefits of Shower Wall Paneling

Waterproof paneling is usually made from acrylic or fiberglass, and unlike tiles, it’s designed to fit onto the wall in one, continuous sheet. When it comes to installation, that makes things so much easier for you as a homeowner. It’s much easier to cut through, so it’ll be easier to fit around features in your shower. As a time saver, there’s not much that can beat waterproof sheets when it comes to fitting.

The other major benefit is that there are no grout lines to worry about. You’ll see the sheet goes in in one continuous sheet. Because of this, there are barely any gaps in the shower wall at all. This avoids any problems with water getting into the wall, as there’s no entry point for it. There are also no grout lines to clean, so it’s much easier to clean down and keep mold free.

Of course, these panels work out to be a lot cheaper than tiling your shower walls. If you’re trying to keep your renovation on budget, it’s going to work well for you.

If you’re a confident DIYer, then you can actually install shower wall paneling yourself. This is another good way to cut down on the cost of remodeling the bathroom and spending that money on the things that matter to you in your bathroom. You will need two people to install sheeting, as you’ll need someone to hold it as you do so. However, it’s still fairly simple to do. You’ll just need to use some heavy duty adhesive to attach it to the wall, and you’re done.

Finally, you’ll see that these panels come in a wide array of attractive colors and styles. No matter what you want your bathroom to look like, you’ll be able to find a panel that suits your bathroom best.

Drawbacks of Paneling

While waterproof paneling offers a lot of benefits to you as a homeowner, there are a couple of drawbacks that you need to consider. Firstly, while they’re much easier to clean than tile, they’ll still attract mold in some crevices and corners. You’ll need to stay on guard and clean it away if it ever shows up. Keeping your bathroom ventilated will help prevent this.

Secondly, sheeting doesn’t age as well as tiles. While tiles can last decades if treated carefully, sheeting won’t last that long. Over time, it is prone to yellowing and scratches. As such, they show their age much more quickly. If there is a hole in the wall, you can patch it up. The problem is it won’t be invisible, which will damage the overall look of your bathroom.

These aren’t major drawbacks though, and for most people, they won’t be a problem. If you are okay with this, then you can go ahead and use waterproof sheeting in your shower stall to create a new look without breaking the bank.

Other Options For Your Shower Wall

What if you don’t want to use tiles, but waterproof paneling isn’t right for you either? Then there are a few options that you can consider for your bathroom:

Glass tiles: These have become increasingly popular over the last few years, as they offer a very stylish look for your bathroom. They are great for small bathrooms as they reflect light, making them seem bigger overall. These do have the same drawbacks as regular tiles, as they will need to be cleaned and maintained to keep the grout mold free. The tiles themselves are fairly easy to clean though, as you just need some glass cleaner and a soft cloth.

Stone tiles: Stone tiles work great in a lot of bathrooms as they offer excellent style and come in all kinds of colors and textures. They work in modern or traditional bathrooms, so it’ll probably work wherever you put it. You can use onyx, slate, marble, granite, and more.

The other great benefit is that no two tiles are alike, so it’s perfect for those that don’t want a uniform look. The drawback is that stone is often expensive, and some varieties can stain and scratch. However, most varieties are very durable, so they’re a great option for your shower.

Conclusion

As you’ve seen, there are actually a lot of options when it comes to your shower walls. While tiles come in a lot of shapes and sizes, they are expensive and very much add to the construction time of your new room. If you want to save money and have a shower that still looks great, waterproof paneling is going to be just the thing for you.