Bathroom Wall Panels, What Materials Are Used?
Bathroom wall panels are becoming more and more popular as those looking to update, upgrade, and enhance their bathrooms discover that they exist. And that’s the important thing; once you’ve learned what bathroom wall panels are and how they can make your bathroom look beautiful (as well as the numerous other benefits that come with them), you’ll never look back – bathroom wall panels are the way forward.
There are plenty of reasons to choose wall panels for your bathroom over and above the traditional tile wall covering – they’re practical, cost-effective, and stylish (and we’ll go into all this and more later in the blog), but what exactly are they? And, perhaps more importantly, what are bathroom wall panels made of? Read on to find out more.
The Different Types of Bathroom Wall Panels
There are a few different types of bathroom wall panels available on the market, each made from different materials and suited to different needs and preferences, so you’ll want to do some research to find the right option for you. Don’t worry, though; it’s not as tricky as it might sound, and it can even be an enjoyable thing to do, especially when you find the perfect wall panel made from the ideal bathroom wall panel material.
MDF Core
One of the most common materials used are MDF core wall panels, which stands for medium-density fibreboard. MDF is basically a composite wood product that’s made by breaking down leftover wood into fibres and then creating a whole piece from the bits using plenty of pressure, a high temperature, and wax and resin to bind it all together.
One of the reasons that MDF is such a great option for wall panel material is that it’s so durable, plus it’s got a lovely smooth finish, so not only will your panels last a long time, but they’ll look good too – what more could you want?
On top of that, MDF is really versatile, and you can cut it to any size or shape you want, meaning you don’t have to compromise when it comes to a perfect finish in your bathroom. And since MDF is less expensive than some other materials, it can be a cost-effective way to get a gorgeous, luxury look.
It’s not all good news, of course, and there are cons to go with all these pros. One of those negatives is that MDF isn’t waterproof, so it has to be coated with a waterproof layer and it needs to be sealed properly. When you’re buying MDF panels, make sure that’s the case, otherwise you’ll end up with warping and deterioration, which no one’s going to want to see.
PVC
PVC wall panels (polyvinyl chloride) are another popular option for bathrooms. It’s a type of plastic that’s often used in construction because, once again, it’s durable, but it’s also flexible, and it’s got good resistance to water and chemicals.
In fact, it’s this that makes PVC such a good option if you’re asking what are bathroom wall panels made of and you want an answer you can rely on – PVC is one hundred percent waterproof, and in a bathroom that’s going to count for a lot.
Is there anything else that makes PVC wall panels a good choice? Well, what about them being lightweight so they hang easily and safely on walls and they’re easy to install? Or how about that they come in a wide range of colours, patterns, and finishes, allowing you to design your bathroom in any way you want? Plus, PVC is stain resistant, and it doesn’t fade, even in direct sunlight.
If you want to hear both sides of the story, there are some negatives to choosing PVC. One is that it can scratch quite easily, and it can dent too if you’re not careful. And PVC doesn’t offer quite the same level of luxury as MDF or wood can. If that’s not a concern, PVC could be a great choice for your wall panel material.
Wood
For anyone who wants a more natural, warm feel to their bathroom, wood wall panels could be the right material to choose – they can be an excellent choice, especially if you’re going for a more sustainable feel in your home décor. There’s just something special about wood that gives a gorgeous sense of cosiness and elegance that synthetic materials have a hard time replicating.
Wood panels can be made from lots of different types of wood, including oak, pine, and cedar, and each is unique, finishing with its own grain and colour and even feel. And you can enhance the wood if you want, using stains or paint – but many people like to leave it looking natural because it’s beautiful in its own right.
However, if you opt for wood, you are definitely giving yourself more work to do because this kind of bathroom wall panel does need more maintenance. Wood is susceptible to moisture, so it has to be treated with a water-resistant finish to stop it warping, getting mouldy, or even completely rotting away. And that’s not a one and done job either; you’ll need to top up the finish regularly to keep things look good.
The Benefits of Wall Panels
You might be wondering why choosing wall panels is even an option when good old tiles are still around and have been doing a good job of decorating bathrooms for decades. And it’s true that tiles definitely still have their place (and if they’re your preference, you should use them – it’s your bathroom, after all), but the fact is that there are many benefits that come with installing wall panels, and once you know what those benefits are, it might just sway you.
Easy Installation
Tiles do look great when they’re installed, but the installation itself… that’s not so great. It’s time-consuming, it’s tricky to get right, and more often than not, you’ll need to hire experts to help you out. With bathroom wall panels, you’ll find you need less time and effort to get fabulous results, and you can usually DIY the job if that’s your preference (although hiring help is never a bad idea if you feel that’s the right thing for you).
Waterproof
If there’s one thing that’s guaranteed to happen in a bathroom it’s that it’s going to get wet in there, and it’s not just going to be wet when you have a shower – every time you run a hot tap, the air’s going to get humid and that moisture has to go somewhere; your walls are the ideal place. In other words, in a space where the moisture and humidity levels are sure to be high, choosing waterproof wall panels makes sense. Of course, a good extractor fan will help, but waterproof walls are still a good idea.
Easy To Clean
Who loves spending loads of time cleaning their bathroom? Okay, some of you will have your hands up and that’s your business, but for the majority of people who’d rather not spend so much time on housework, bathroom wall panels are ideal because they’re easy to clean and maintain. When you compare them to tiles, there’s far less chance of mould and mildew growth, and that’s going to please everyone.
Modern Look
Finally, if you want your bathroom to have a modern and beautiful finish, opting for wall panels is the right thing to do.
How To Install Bathroom Wall Panels
Installing bathroom panels is usually quite a straightforward thing to do, especially compared to tiling, and what’s even better is that most panels can just be placed directly on whatever’s already on the wall, saving a lot of time and hard work (although if the wall is very bumpy, it might be best to do what you can to flatten it, just to ensure you get the great finish you’re after).
Preparation
First, you’ll need to make sure the walls are clean, dry, and that there’s nothing loose on them like fluff. And if you need to, now’s the time to apply a waterproof membrane or layer to make sure everything’s protected from moisture.
Measuring and Cutting
Next, you’ll need to measure the wall area you want to install the panels on and cut the panels to fit it – and you’ll need to watch out for anything like windows, doors, and plumbing fixtures, which is when things can get fiddly and you might need an extra pair of hands.
Fixing the Panels
Depending on the wall panel material you’ve chosen, there will be a variety of ways to fix the panels to the wall, including adhesive, screws, and nails. PVC panels generally use adhesive, while MDF and wood can benefit from screws as they’ll give the panels a bit more stability (they’re heavier than PVC so they might need it).
Sealing the Edges
To make sure water doesn’t seep behind the panels and cause all kinds of mess and destruction, you’ll need to apply a waterproof sealant along all the edges and joints – if you’re using MDF or wood you mustn’t ignore this step, but it can be a good idea no matter what wall panel material you’re installing.
Finishing Touches
Finally, it’s time to install any trims, mouldings, or corner pieces – or any other extras you might like the look of – to complete your bathroom in just the way you want to. Or just leave it plain; that can work perfectly too.
Buying Bathroom Wall Panels
When it comes to buying bathroom wall panels, it’s so important to choose a product that ticks all the boxes, from how it looks to how much it costs and how easy it is to install. At Plumbworld, you’ll find a huge range of bathroom wall panels to suit any need, so take a look at what we can offer, and you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for. And don’t forget, if you’ve got any question, just get in touch and we’ll be able to help.
If you found this post useful, you may also like – 10 Reasons to Spend More Time in the Bathroom, Complete Guide to Making the Most of a Small Bathroom, and Tiles or Bathroom Wall Panels – Which are Best?
We love seeing your bathroom and kitchen makeovers and sharing them on our Instagram page - if you've had a Plumbworld renovation, tag us in your photos to be featured!
We would love to see, so why not share your favourite designs on social media with us?
Find us at:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Pinterest
Alternatively, sign-up to our newsletter for the latest offers, newest product launches and advice.
Are you planning a new bathroom or kitchen makeover? Shop online with Plumbworld for guaranteed lowest prices and next day delivery options. Don’t forget to check out the rest of our blog for more bathroom and kitchen advice.