Multipanel for Showers - Cheapert Source & Alternatives?

Bert_Anderson

Hi All,
I'm in the process of updating my shower cubicle from the early 1980's to somethng more in keeping with the current era

Rather than tiling the walls I've seen a product called "Multipanel" at the local builders merchants but at 100 quid a sheet plus VAT it seems a trifle expensive for a piece of laminate on a plywood board???

See here if not sure what I mean http://www.multipanel.co.uk/

Are there any other alternatives out there that look just as effective, i.e. decent quality plastic panels to suit?

I don't see anything like this product at screwfix either

Thanks in advance :beer:

Alan_M_2

http://www.norske-int.co.uk/

There's another manufacturer of a product called Mermaid panel, these are very high quality and suitable for steam rooms.

Consider what it would cost to tile a cubicle properly to any quality with preperation and tanking and £100 per board suddenly seems very reasonable indeed.

Bert_Anderson

Hi Alan,
Does this seem like a similar product?

http://www.bathroommarquee.co.uk/homepage.htm

"The Bathroom Marquee are the wall panel specialists with one of the largest selections of panelling available on the internet - and our range is growing all the time."

Skiduck

When I was a merchant, the cheapest ones were from Grant Westfield. Norske are a bit dearer. However Jewson/Graham brought it there subsiduries panels, I think the were from IDS - international decxorative surfaces, so try and ask for them
http://www.idsurfaces.co.uk/aspfiles/decorative_panel.asp I think they were cheap - they all seem the same in quality 5mm (i think) laminated marine ply, that's all you need.

As Alan says, they are good value compared to tiling with decent tiles, and they look fantastic - I've seen a few installations, I'm considering using them in a kitchen aswell.

Alan_M_2

They are all pretty similar products but the look of it.

I really only had experience of the Mermaid Board whch as Skiduck says is one of the more expensive ones, it's a 9mm WBP plywood sandwiched between two layers of formica.

rsvtoddy

We've had Mermaid panels in our shower cubicle for 6 years - recommend them without a doubt, much better than tiles!

Kup

Do you have to fix these panels to batterns or are there adhesives?
I need that extra inch

EDIT: Ignore that question, I've just seen it on the Bathroom Marquee site. However, its got me thinking now. I was going to replaster the bathroom before putting up tiles. I could just knock the existing plaster off and glue these panels directly to the brick. Advisable??

Gers

We have something similar - can't remember the name of the make, sorry, but these are much better than tiles. No horrible grouting to clean. Ours are white with a bubble pattern printed on them, lots of other patterns or plain panels were available.

The panels are relatively expensive but I suppose about the same as tiling a shower enclosure. They are fixed to the wall with battens.

If you can get them to fit then they are a good alternative to conventional tiles.

squidmillion

I have had Multipanel in my shower for around 7 years now and it is still looking as good as the day it was fitted.
There are other panels available but I am not sure if I would trust MDF in a shower environment.
Multipanel is a water and boil proof hard plywood core panel and is very reasonably priced considering the quality of the panel.

MrsMW

We have www.wetwall.com/ and I love it. It's really easy to keep clean, no manky grout to clean! We've had ours about 4 years and it cost about £100 a sheet.

the.patches

If you think that multipanel is too expensive, you should try TILEPANEL.

This is a 3mm thick solid laminate waterproof panel with a mozaic tile pattern embossed on the surface. It can be applied directly over your existing tiles and comes with the usual corner sealing strips etc in 10 different patterns.

Most builders / plumbers merchants sell Tilepanel or you can get it from Grant Westfield Ltd direct.

Definately a big plus over conventional tiles!

They also do CEILINGPANEL a pvc waterproof panel which is cheaper still!
Check it out...