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Original poster

Wall panels vs tiles in bathroom

68 replies

TiredandLate · 09/02/2023 19:05

Has anyone opted for wall panels instead of tiles for a bathroom?

Ordered some samples and I'm not sure I like them, I expected them to be slightly 3D like real tiles but these ones were smooth.

If you have panels would you recommend them? Any tips on where to find textured ones would be appreciated too 😊

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Thread gallery
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DigitalGoat · 09/02/2023 19:35

Yes we went for paneling when we had our bathroom done last year. We had Nautical Wood Showerwall, it's MDF with acrylic finish. Really happy with it, and it's got a slightly grainy finish like proper wood rather than being shiny.

www.rubberduckbathrooms.co.uk/nautical-wood-showerwall-panelling?source=googlebase&gclid=CjwKCAiA0JKfBhBIEiwAPhZXD9pdhH57UBPCpg_CwY0buAgWD0AFNzLpsXmQadL6VO6hJbo1MYfIlxoCbrsQAvD_BwE

We deliberately chose this type over the hollow plastic ones that would have worked out cheaper - my parents had these fitted and though they looked good at first, they are quite vulnerable to cracking either due to accidental impact or just due to repeated contact over the years.

Original poster
TiredandLate · 09/02/2023 21:40

Thank you.

Good point about durability, especially with clumsy teenagers.

The ease of fitting and cleaning vs real tiles is really tempting but I don't want it to look crap in a few years time.

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TizerorFizz · 09/02/2023 21:42

I have large format tiles. Minimal grout as they fit together fairly tightly to give a streamlined look. They are from Porcelanosa and I love them. Friends have a wall panel for their new shower. It’s ok but has no “life”. It’s institutional and functional. Do you see these in high end houses or hotels? No. So not for me.

tabulahrasa · 09/02/2023 21:49

I’ve got the cheap hollow plastic ones 😂

DP put them in about 8 years ago because we had at the time two teenagers and we needed something easy to clean and that we could cover the whole bathroom in.

They’re in perfect condition tbh, they’re very easy to damage while fitting them, but not once they’re up.

Railwayroad · 09/02/2023 21:52

Love tiles more but Lordy…..the grout cleaning is a pain

Fakecrazy · 09/02/2023 21:52

We've tried to talk ourselves into them, but we just don't like them. Caravan bathroom vibes.

Neighneigh · 09/02/2023 21:55

We went for panels which now remind me of 1980s primary school toilets. Needless to say it is All My Fault because I didn't want to have to clean grout but I really wish we'd stuck with tiles tbh. It's really hard to choose a pattern on a website then be surrounded by 7ft of it all....and hate it

RandomMess · 09/02/2023 21:56

We had black pixels from wet wall absolutely loved it.

Moved have tiles and grout. It always look dirty and stained and grim 🤬

Coffeetable123 · 09/02/2023 22:01

We have Nuance Bushboard ones. I love them.

SleepingisanArt · 09/02/2023 22:03

We have a mix of both in our ensuite - the original tiles were not installed correctly over the shower tray so that the grout continually failed and water leaked into the kitchen below. The choice was to have the whole room re-tiled (the large tiles we have are no longer available so couldn't be matched) or to have the shower re-done with panels. We chose to have the panels. The plumber installed heavy duty marine ply ones which have a gloss finish - they are perfect in the shower. So easy to keep clean! When we update the main bathroom we will have panels in there too.

Original poster
TiredandLate · 10/02/2023 08:07

Oh this is hard, mixed opinions. I think I need to find a bathroom showroom with some on display.

The picture is not the exact colour scheme but the kind of vibe that wall panel websites are promising me.. the samples I've had so far are nothing like.

The last thing I want is for it to look cheaply finished, unfortunately most of the money will go on knocking through and making the bathroom bigger, argh.

Wall panels vs tiles in bathroom
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bestbefore · 10/02/2023 08:16

We have these ones - www.multipanel.co.uk/products/bathroom-wall-panels/linda-barker-collection/
There's def a texture to them and a matt finish. I would just have them in the shower and then paint the other walls with a small splash back round the sink. I hate fully tiled bathrooms, can't see the point

Acunningruse · 10/02/2023 08:17

Oh god we are getting wall panels fitted on Monday and this thread is making me worried!!

Original poster
TiredandLate · 10/02/2023 08:28

Acunningruse · 10/02/2023 08:17

Oh god we are getting wall panels fitted on Monday and this thread is making me worried!!

Which ones did you pick if you don't mind me asking? Good luck on Monday hope it turns out fabulous 👌

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Original poster
TiredandLate · 10/02/2023 08:29

bestbefore · 10/02/2023 08:16

We have these ones - www.multipanel.co.uk/products/bathroom-wall-panels/linda-barker-collection/
There's def a texture to them and a matt finish. I would just have them in the shower and then paint the other walls with a small splash back round the sink. I hate fully tiled bathrooms, can't see the point

I looked at those last night, thank you. More samples on the way!

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tabulahrasa · 10/02/2023 08:30

Acunningruse · 10/02/2023 08:17

Oh god we are getting wall panels fitted on Monday and this thread is making me worried!!

I like mine...

It doesn’t look like a caravan bathroom and weirdly I don’t live in a high end hotel 😂 so not particularly bothered if it doesn’t look like one.

I like the colour I picked and it looks way better than the crappy tiles the builder put in - and much more practical than how it was before too.

Acunningruse · 10/02/2023 08:34

We've gone for this one, it's part of the Italian collection from Bathroom Cladding Direct. I would say the photos don't do it justice. I know you are ordering samples but i would definitely recommend visiting a showroom if possible as the effect when it's spread over a large area is completely different.

Acunningruse · 10/02/2023 08:34

Doh! Pic would help.

Wall panels vs tiles in bathroom
justasking111 · 10/02/2023 08:36

Moved to a fully tiled house god the condensation, mould on the ceilings. I'm going back to tight fit floor tiles, panelled shower and plastered, painted walls. I want pictures etc. I hate the operating theatre look.

Friends have wainscoting in their bathroom, it's stunning. Go Google it

Acunningruse · 10/02/2023 08:36

Thanks @tabulahrasa I am definitely looking for practicality- the grout on our existing tiles is just disgusting and I am never going to be able to keep on top of it.

Original poster
TiredandLate · 10/02/2023 08:42

Haha we bought this house as a project 18 months ago. I currently have a bsthroom with mouldy WALLPAPER, carpet, and tiles that might have been cream in the 80s but are now a sad nicotine yellow with brown grout. Anything at all will be an improvement, a caravan bathroom feels luxurious after living with this 😅

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TizerorFizz · 10/02/2023 09:27

I never ever clean grout. No need. Large format tiles hardly have any! Literally a thin line. I think posters don’t have the right type of tile in their bathroom.

I do live in an expensive house and wall panels would look naff. We only have 2 tiled bathrooms out of 4 and they are beautiful. No. They have not got dripping walls and mould because they have underfloor heating and ventilation. The other bathrooms have tiled showers and never had issues with those either.

If you have shower panels, don’t do the whole room. Choose something that actually looks classy. Why cheapen an area when it’s new?

Original poster
TiredandLate · 10/02/2023 09:51

They might not be to everyone's taste but I don't think it will automatically look naff either. We have very wonky walls to contend with, but a mix of tiles on the new straight walls and paneling in parts might be a good solution. Will definitely be going to look at some showrooms before ruling it out.

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Original poster
TiredandLate · 10/02/2023 09:52

I would go for large tiles over smaller ones either way, I prefer them.

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Original poster
TiredandLate · 10/02/2023 09:53

Whilst we are on the topic, what flooring do you all have? Tempting as it is to keep the purple carpet, it might not quite work with the new look 😂

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