To tile or wall panel

[huw169]

Hi all
We are having a new shower room where we will be installing a 1200x900 shower with a 1200 door across the front. 3 walls will be paneled or tiled.
My wife and I are not seeing eye to eye on the wall finish. She likes the wall panels with a bit of sparkle, but I think they look a bit like a caravan shower. I would rather put big wall tiles up, which can have the desired sparkle if she wishes.

The shower itself will be fitted into the wall in the center of the 1200 wall at the back, if that makes a difference.

Just canvasing opinions, but we do need to get out and see a few more showrooms. Not been an easy task of late...

Many thanks

 

[muggles]

Almost all of my customers choose panels over tiles

 

[Baths'N'Gas]

Majority of our customers want Multipanels in the shower area, as they are fed up of the grout discolouring/failing, but some people want tiles

 

[huw169]

Thank guys. I've just noticed a tiling forum as well, so going to add to there as it's probably a more relevant section.

I hear what you are saying though. I suppose we just need to find the right panels...

 

[huw169]

Hi all

I asked this in the Plumbing section, but this section is probably more relevant, so sorry if you have already seen this.

We are having a new shower room where we will be installing a 1200x900 shower with a 1200 door across the front. 3 walls will be paneled or tiled.
My wife and I are not seeing eye to eye on the wall finish. She likes the wall panels with a bit of sparkle, but I think they look a bit like a caravan shower. I would rather put big wall tiles up, which can have the desired sparkle if she wishes.

The shower itself will be fitted into the wall in the center of the 1200 wall at the back, if that makes a difference.

Just canvasing opinions, but we do need to get out and see a few more showrooms. Not been an easy task of late...

Many thanks

Read more: https://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/to-tile-or-wall-panel.571465/#ixzz6vOnxFfeF

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

I think it somewhat depends on how fastidious you are with wiping down the walls after use, there's no doubt that with wiping/drying of the grout/shower seal after every single use will keep them free of mould and clean but if anyone in your household can't be bothered or will only do a half arsed job the mould will grow. At least wall panels eliminates the grotty grout issue.

 

[JohnD]

you do also need an effective and powerful extractor fan to whisk away the humidity, which continues for some time after finishing your shower.

have you got one?

 

[oldbutnotdead]

I'm looking at panels for a new ensuite- been looking for a while . The cheaper ones (as seen in. B& Q etc) do look a bit tacky, the more expensive ones (builders merchants and bathroom showrooms) look far more stylish. The expensive panels actually aren't really once you take off all the stuff you don't need to do (waterproof backer boards, tanking kits, tiles, adhesive, grout, labour time). If either of the side walls of your shower are accessible from the rear (ie they back onto the landing or bedroom or whatever) then consider having the pipework etc on that wall- rear access makes it much easier esp when dealing with 8' panels

 

[huw169]

you do also need an effective and powerful extractor fan to whisk away the humidity, which continues for some time after finishing your shower.

have you got one?

Going for a big square shower head, so planning to have one extractor fan either side of it with an LED bulb.

 

[huw169]

I'm looking at panels for a new ensuite- been looking for a while . The cheaper ones (as seen in. B& Q etc) do look a bit tacky, the more expensive ones (builders merchants and bathroom showrooms) look far more stylish. The expensive panels actually aren't really once you take off all the stuff you don't need to do (waterproof backer boards, tanking kits, tiles, adhesive, grout, labour time). If either of the side walls of your shower are accessible from the rear (ie they back onto the landing or bedroom or whatever) then consider having the pipework etc on that wall- rear access makes it much easier esp when dealing with 8' panels

Yes, I have heard that they can go straight onto regular plasterboard. Is this really the case though? I don't want to be doing it again in a couple of years just to save a few quid now.
I need thicker ones as well, as the tray i'm going to be using does not have an upstand around it.

 

[oldbutnotdead]

Different brands have different methods but yes the actual panels are waterproof, long as you have battens at corners/joints and don't skimp on the silicon you'll be fine (battens to prevent joins being able to open if someone leans on the walls).
You can get trims that give you the upstand on the tray....

 

[foxhole]

Never used baton at corners, the panel can’t move with the wall behind them to flex and are very rigid.

 

[huw169]

Thanks all. The boss has now decided she prefers the look of big tiles which I am happy about as I know how to finish the tiles. So now I have to consider whether to use aquaboard, or just plasterboard with a good tanking product. More dilemmas!

 

[foxhole]

Thanks all. The boss has now decided she prefers the look of big tiles which I am happy about as I know how to finish the tiles. So now I have to consider whether to use aquaboard, or just plasterboard with a good tanking product. More dilemmas!

Have seen many showers where the plasterboard has failed behind the tiles.

 

[Suited72]

Plasterboard and tanking is the way to go, aquapanel is a gimmick... and if you do then Everbuild Aquaseal 7.5M kit is the best one IMO - has the best tape for corners. And, you can use the primer that the kit comes with on the rest of the walls prior to tiling.