Bathroom: wood/mdf panelling

serious_saver

We're in the middle of renovating our bathroom but we're very short of cash.

The previous tiles (which for the most part fell off the wall without any effort on our part) covered,

- the area around our bath/shower(side wall)
- the area behind the toilet (back wall, up to the height of the window sill
- the area behind the sink (the other side wall, opposite the bath - up to the same height as the back wall)

That was a lot of tiles!

In order to save money we're considering getting some mdf 'mock tongue and groove' panelling to use on all of the walls, except for around the bath/shower.

It's our first bathroom so I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice, especially if they have done the same thing. For example, will the panelling be suitable for behind the sink? Are there anything I should bear in mind before buying the panels?

WestonDave

First thing to be aware of is that any form of reconstituted board is extremely sensitive to water. Get MDF wet and it will swell and go horrible, so if you are going to use it in the bathroom you need to make 100% sure its sealed all round - you might want to paint/varnish the back of it before you put it up to be sure.

Once its got decent waterproof paint on it (gloss etc) there's no reason why you couldn't use it behind the sink provided the surface never gets damaged.

I'd personally be more inclined to sand the walls smooth, give them a good coat of quality bathroom paint, and maybe use a line of the tiles from around the bath as a splashback along the top/back of the sink.

Hintza

Have a look at Selkie Board. Not that cheap but good value

http://www.rearo.co.uk/

They also have end of line and damaged boards if you live near one of the branches.

olias

Probably be as cheap to have it all skimmed and just painted and as you said, just tile around the bath/shower and basin.

Olias