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Shower panels or tiles? It’s a question faced by many property owners when they’re designing or redecorating their bathroom. Both have some essential qualities, not least that they are waterproof. However, delve deeper and you’ll see all sorts of reasons to choose shower panels instead. This post looks at why shower panels beat bathroom tiles hands down.
When you’re choosing a wall covering for your shower, you need something that’s waterproof, durable and easy to clean. That’s why, for years, tiles have been the most popular choice. They aren’t affected by water from the shower, they can’t be damaged easily and they’re mostly easy to clean.
Over time, however, dirt will build up within the grouting, which looks terrible and is tricky to clean. Even when cleaned, the new appearance of your tiles will be diminished. Tiles are also a pain to install. Any old tiles will need to be removed, before the walls are prepared and all tiles are laid carefully in the right place.
On top of all that, tiles have become quite dated in their appearance, meaning they stand out in otherwise modern design schemes. And despite each tile being affordable, the cost can soon stack up when you’re covering a whole room.
When there was no real alternative, people had to put up with these drawbacks. However, as manufacturing has improved, the shower wall panel has become a popular alternative…
Like tiles, shower panels tick all the boxes when it comes to practicality. Made from PVC, they’re completely waterproof and can be wiped clean with no hassle whatsoever. Their PVC surface also makes them impressively strong and durable, so you can expect your shower panels to stay in great condition well into the future.
In contrast to tiles, shower panels are easy to install. With a much larger surface area, you don’t need anywhere near as many to cover the wall. This has the added benefit of cost-efficiency – and they can even be installed over tiles in many cases.
What really sets shower panels apart is their appearance. With a sleek appearance, they don’t look out of place in modern design schemes. Even better, they come in a wide range of styles. Whether it’s a black sparkle effect, simple white or striking lime green, there is a shower panel perfect for every bathroom.
Igloo Surfaces specialises in high quality shower panels for both domestic and commercial bathrooms. Available in a wide range of colours and styles, our PVC shower panels will keep your bathroom looking its best for years to come. We even offer ‘all in one’ shower kits that include everything you need for a 2 or 3 wall shower. Sound good? Take a look at our bathroom wall panels and shower kits today to find the perfect style for your bathroom.
So, what are your options? Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of the 5 best kitchen wall cladding ideas for you to choose from.
Ceramic tiles have been the go-to choice for kitchen walls for some time. They’re moisture-resistant, easy to clean and available in a wide range of styles. However, as time goes on – and new wall cladding options have become available – they’ve become quite dated in their appearance. Grouting is also a problem when it comes to cleaning tiles and they’re far from easy to install.
You might think paint is unsuitable for kitchen walls, because of all the moisture it will encounter. And you would be right. However, plastic and acrylic paints provide an ideal solution. Unlike regular paint, they are resistant to moisture and mould build-up. But like regular paint, they come in a wide range of colours and are relatively affordable.
The downside? As we’ve all come to learn with paint, it can be a messy job, requiring multiple coats. And even the best moisture-proof paint isn’t going to be quite as durable as other wall coverings.
Stone is a popular option for kitchens because of its unmatched natural beauty. A number of stone types are available – slate, marble and quartz to name just a few – each with their own natural gradients and patterns. It’s also naturally durable and easy to clean, making it ideal for the hard-wearing kitchen environment. Unfortunately, stone does not compete with other options in terms of cost-effectiveness.
Stainless steel wall cladding is sometimes used in commercial kitchens because of its superb hygienic quality. Steel wipes clean easily, shows any stains and is completely resistant to moisture. The only downside is the appearance, which doesn’t usually fit in with the look of modern or traditional homes.
PVC wall panels are a simple, stylish and cost-effective way to clad the walls in your kitchen. They have a modern look, with a range of colours to match any design scheme. Most importantly, they’re durable and easy-to-clean for any splashbacks or spillages, with easy installation to boot.
Igloo Surfaces offers a kitchen wall panels, made from 100% waterproof PVC, in a wide range of colours. Our wall panels are hard-wearing, low-maintenance and easy-to-install. To make things even easier for you, we offer free samples, free delivery on orders over £100 and a 10-20 year guarantee. To take a closer browse through our full range of kitchen wall panels today.
