How to Choose the Right Multipanel Shower Panels for Your Bathroom

Bathroom renovations are some of the most satisfying home improvement projects that one could ever do; however, it presents an array of designing challenges. The conventional choice for a long period of time for wet areas has been ceramic or porcelain tiles.

Nevertheless, keeping these tiles spotless would require endless efforts, while grout lines would wear out with the passage of time. In case you have been looking for a contemporary choice with unmatched durability, waterproof wall boards might serve as the ultimate solution for you.

This detailed article will walk you through all the aspects associated with selecting the best Multipanel Shower Panels for your bathroom makeover.

Be it material construction or selecting the right design, this pillar post acts as a complete guide for you.

Why Choose Wall Panels Over Traditional Bathroom Tiles?

However, before looking into the various alternatives in the marketplace, it is essential to discuss the reasons behind the current shift in favour of bathroom wall panels instead of tiles among modern British homeowners. The main problem with any tiled surface is its grout.

Grout is a porous substance, which means it tends to absorb water, soap and even skin oils over time. Consequently, it becomes a breeding ground for black mould and mildew, necessitating tough scrubbing and cleaning with strong chemicals. When you buy quality bathroom wall panels, the issue of grout disappears completely.

What you get is a sleek, hygienic surface, which can be easily wiped clean using just a piece of cloth. Moreover, installing wall panels is much easier and faster than tiling. It may take days to complete a job such as installing tiles in a shower, but wall panels can usually be installed in much less time.

Understanding Material and Core Compositions

Bathroom panels are not all made the way. The material inside the board is what makes it feel sturdy or not. It also affects how well it can handle bumps and how long it will last in a bathroom where it is always damp. When you are looking for bathroom panels you will find that there are three kinds of insides.

1. High-Pressure Laminate on a Plywood Core

This is what most people think is the kind for a really nice bathroom. These panels have a core made from special plywood that can get wet or a type of MDF that does not mind water. This core is then stuck to a layer under a lot of pressure. The result is a panel that’s very stiff and strong it feels like a solid wall when you push it. It can handle being bumped and changes in temperature really well.

2. Solid Grade Laminate and Composite Cores

Some panels have a core that is completely man made and waterproof all the way through. Because they do not have any wood in them you do not have to worry about the core getting bigger or rotting if water gets in. These panels are usually thinner than the plywood kind. They are still very tough and great for bathrooms where you need to cut the panels to fit exactly.

Bathroom panels like these are really good for people who want something that will last a time and can handle the dampness of a bathroom. Solid Grade Laminate and Composite Cores are perfect, for bathroom panels because they are waterproof and strong like bathroom panels should be.

3. Cellular PVC Panels

PVC panels are a choice when you want to save money. People often use them when they need to make some changes or when they are fixing up a rental property. The inside of PVC panels is special because it is hollow and has a honeycomb shape. This makes PVC panels really light and easy to work with.

PVC panels are also completely waterproof which means they are easy to clean.. They do not feel as nice, as plywood or other materials. They can also get dented if you hit them hard. PVC panels are an option when you need something that is easy to use and will not break the bank.

Sizing, Thickness, and Planning Your Layout

To avoid making a mess and get a look you must think about the size of your panels before you buy them. The boards that people usually put on bathroom walls go from the floor or the top of the shower tray all the way up to the ceiling.

These products are usually 2400mm high, which is a good size for most bathroom ceilings in the UK.. The widths are different and come in three main sizes: 600mm, 900mm and 1200mm.

If you are putting boards in a square or rectangular shower you should try to use the 1200mm wide boards. Using a board means you can cover a whole wall with one piece. This way you do not have any seams inside the shower where water can get in and the shower will be more waterproof.

The thickness of the boards is also important. The good quality plywood and laminate boards are usually between 9mm and 11mm thick. This thickness is good because it can cover imperfections on the wall behind it. The PVC boards are thinner, between 5mm and 8mm so the wall needs to be very flat for them to work well.

The Battle of the Joints: Tongue and Groove vs Straight Edge

How your bathroom panels connect to each other will decide how good they look. How well they keep water out. The people who make these panels use two ways to join them together on a big wall.

The Interlocking Tongue and Groove System

A lot of bathroom panels have special edges that fit together perfectly. When you put two panels together they snap into place tightly. If you add some sealant to the edge where they meet it makes a seam that is really tight and hard to see. This is a way to do it if you are covering a big wall because it makes the pattern look nice and continuous without any breaks.

The Clean Profile Trim System

Panels with edges need special strips to join them together. These strips come in types like corners and edges. Even though you can see the strips they come in finishes like shiny chrome, silver, black and white. These strips are great, for making your shower area look nice. They also help keep water out of the corners really well.

Choosing a Style to Match Your Interior Design

One of the things about modern manufacturing is that you can get designs that look really great. You are not limited to white plastic anymore. Nowadays you can pick from textures that look like real materials but are much cheaper.

If you like a look, concrete and industrial stone textures are really nice. They provide a yet elegant background. If you want a fancy look big marble designs, with realistic veins can make a regular enclosure look like a luxury hotel feature.

If you want to make your home feel warm and natural you can choose wood-grain finishes that look like wood. They give you the beauty of timber without the problems of warping or water damage that come with using wood.

Best Practices for Installation and Maintenance

The best waterproof panels will not work properly if they are not put in the way. To have a panel that you do not have to worry about you need to use the right things to install it. You should always use the adhesives and special silicone that the people who made the panel say you should use.

Making sure the seal, at the bottom of the panel is thick and strong where it meets the shower tray is very important. This is the way to stop water from leaking behind the panel. After you have put the panel in taking care of it is easy. You should not use scrubbers, bleach or strong chemicals to clean the panel because they can damage the surface over time.

To keep the panel looking new you can use a shower squeegee to get rid of water after you use the shower. You can also wash the panel with water and soap and a soft cloth sometimes. This will keep the waterproof panel looking like new.

Take the Next Step in Your Bathroom Renovation

The key, to making a room look really great is to choose the wall coverings. This way your space will look amazing now. It will be easy to take care of the wall coverings for a long time. If you want to see some good wall coverings and you need some help picking the right ones for your project you should go to our Multipanel Shower Panels service page. On this page you can see all the wall coverings we have and we can also help you get them put up.