Shower Panels vs Tiles: Which is right for your bathroom?

Shower Panels vs tiles: making the right choice

The choice between tiles and shower panels is not necessarily straight forward. There are a huge range of style and colour options on the market. Take a look at our guide to help you make the right decision for your bathroom.

Inexpensive Solution

Tiles can be a really budget friendly bathroom solution. The cheapest models might not be the most impressive, but they can offer a good solution.  

However – not all tiles are a cheap option. The costs of tiles varies dramatically; some can reach hundreds of pounds per square meter an include expensive elements and materials to make them.

Installation

Intricate patterns can add interest to your bathroom, however they can also be hard to install and maintain. Each tile has to be individually applied and leveled in order to achieve the perfect result. This not only takes time, but can also cost you a lot of money in terms of fitting. It is worth remembering that many intricate patterns that you find online can be difficult to accomplish in reality.

For areas like plug sockets, windows or doors it can also be tricky to create a perfect finish, whilst installing taps or shower heads can cause problems due to cutting the hard surfaces.

In comparison, Versital wall panels can be cut with ordinary wood work tools allowing for a really easily installation. .

Grouting

Probably the biggest pet peeve if you speak to anyone asking for a new bathroom is grouting and more specifically cleaning grouting! Because of its porous nature, grouting allows for water to  collect, leading to discolouration and even mould.

There is also the cleaning aspect. Using tiles in wet areas like showers means more work cleaning and upkeep. Each grout line will need to be individually cleaned. The more intricate the pattern the more grout to clean. 

Over time tiles will need to be refurbed and have the grout refreshed or even replaced.

No Grout – No Mould

Versital bathroom wall panels eliminate the need for grouting as they are fixed on walls and shower areas using sanitary grade silicone. Silicone is also used for sealing any joints or meeting points. Silicone is a non-porous, hypoallergenic material. It is waterproof and cannot harbour germs, making it the perfect option for a bathroom.

The panels do not allow for collection of water and with no grout there is nowhere for the mould to collect.

Grout can also crack or wear out over time creating problems like leaking showers. Shower panels instead of tiles prevent that from happening. 

Use panels for shower walls and tiles in other areas

Consider using a mixture of panels and tiles to achieve the result that you want. Using panels in areas of high use like vanity tops, splash backs or showers can save you work in the future. Tiles work well in areas where you are less likely to have splashing like over the bath, behind toilet or to create shelving. This will keep the cleaning minimal and make it easier to maintain a hygienic space, making your life easier in the long-term, whilst also giving you the look you are wanting to achieve.

Ease of Installing

Versital panels are available in very large sizes, up to 3 meter’s long, making the installation much easier and straight forward than the tile alternative. Bespoke shower panels can help installers save time by having ready to install panel sizes, and also by the ease of cutting to suit. Unlike tiles Versital panels can be cut with ordinary woodwork tools getting rid of the need for specialised masonry and tile cutting equipment.

All of our bathroom wall panels are fully bespoke and made to measure. Therefore you can use them to fit precisely for a required area, including curves and odd shaped spaces.

Minimal Maintenance Required

Due to the lack of grouting Versital bathroom wall panels are much easier to maintain. Wiping them with a cloth and non-abrasive detergent makes them look just like new.

Our gel coat is cast onto every product and guarantees its longevity, as well as its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties silently protecting your family for years to come.

Fully Waterproof

When creating a shower enclosure or a wet room, making sure the area is waterproof is the most important important factor. Your bathroom has to stay leak proof to protect the rest of your house from future issues with leaks and damage. Our shower wall panels ensure fully waterproof areas without the need for tanking or other time consuming and costly procedures.

Anti-bacterial

Bathroom’s are one of the most used rooms in the home and can also be the dirtiest! It is so important that they be kept clean and hygienic. Versital bathroom wall panels guarantee an antibacterial and antimicrobial properties due to its fully non-porous structure and protective gel coat.

Versital panels do not catch dirt, preventing harbouring mould and bacteria on the surface. Unlike tiles which are surrounded by grouting, providing the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.

Huge range of Style Options

Bathroom panels offer a range of styles to suit modern or traditional bathrooms. Unlike many other wall panels Versital offers a range of true to life marble and granite finishes, all hand made to order for a very realistic alternative to the natural product.

Fully Bespoke

All of Versital bathroom panels are fully bespoke and manufactured to order. Each panel can be ordered to the exact shape and size you need ready to be installed quickly and simply.

Range of Colours

Versital colour range includes over 90 different finishes. Our famous ‘Arabesque’ or ‘Busy Carrata’ are man made alternatives to real marble that don’t have the drawbacks like staining and water marking.

Browse through the options and order free samples to see the product in person. Alternatively you can visit our flagship showroom for specialist advice.