Shower Wall Panels

Buyers Guide to Shower Wall Panels

How to Choose Shower Wall Panels

Your choice may be directed by the look you want to achieve. Modern shower wall panels are manufactured in a great range of colours and in finishes such as marble and wood grain effect, or you may prefer a high gloss glass like appearance.  

Types of Shower Wall Panel 

Acrylic Shower Wall Panels

These are made from dense multi-layered acrylic and tend to be the thinnest type of shower wall panels, offered in a variety of bright colours and can be semi-transparent. Glass looks fantastic as a waterproof wall covering in a modern bathroom, but it is expensive, very heavy, tricky to fit and liable to damage. A wonderful alternative is an acrylic shower wall panel - the high gloss type looks just like glass except without any of the disadvantages. Lustrolite acrylic panels (pictured above) look simply fantastic.

See our acrylic shower panels page for a full range of product options.

Laminate Shower Wall Panels 

Composed of MDF bonded to a covering of a mineral laminate on both sides under high pressure, these shower wall panels are known to be extremely durable - often recommended for busy family bathrooms, heavy wear areas or commercial uses. Top quality manufacturers we recommend are Bushboard and Showerwall.

See our laminate shower panels page for a full range of product options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are shower wall panels?

Developed as a solution to some of the downsides of using tiles in a bathroom, shower wall panels or bathroom wall panels are a waterproof, wall finish system that is now becoming popular. They are manufactured in large sized panels which can be cut to size for use in many areas in a bathroom, including wet areas and wet rooms.

What are the best shower wall panels?

Both acrylic and laminate shower wall panels offer guaranteed waterproofing if fitted correctly, so choosing between the types may depend on the desired colour, style and finish.

Are shower wall panels better than tiles?

The large panels are smooth, watertight, and hygienic as there are no grout lines to gather grime and discolour. Offering cost and speed of installation benefits over tiles, they come in a choice of attractive colours and finishes such as wood grain or marble. 

Are shower wall panels cheaper than tiles?

The short answer is yes, generally. Obviously the cost of installing tiles is initially based on the price of the tiles themselves, but they usually also take longer to affix and finish than shower wall panels therefore bathroom wall panels provide savings in labour and installation costs. Also, tile grouting can attract mould and discolour over time which requires more maintenance in the long run.  

Can you finish a whole bathroom with wall panels?

The simple answer is yes. They a suitable as a wall finish throughout the whole room. They can be installed directly onto block or brickwork, onto plasterboard or even directly onto your existing tiles. Care should be taken to ensure the sub wall is prepared to properly accept the adhesives or that the subwall will not deteriorate affecting the finished panel in the future.