bathroom shower wall/ PVC panels

blushingbride_3

Hi
I am having my bathroom refitted/ tiled as its looking tired.

Am considering wall panels instead of tiles.
Has anyone any experience or recomended brands.

I'm getting a white combination wc/basin vanity and a new bath so panels will just be around the bath and then will put a row of tiles above the sink/ wc

thanks in advance :j

A.Penny.Saved

I have been thinking along similar lines with regard to PVC panelling. The choice being PVC panelling all around and on the ceiling. PVC panels in the bath area, on the ceiling and tiled everywhere else and finding a way of joining the panels to the tiles. Or a combination of panelling, both laminated and PVC. I do not want any hassle cleaning mould from grout, in the shower area and around the top of the window is the worst but there are small amounts of mould in a few other places.

It's difficult to work out where everything is from what you say. Is there any other wall space other than in the bath area and above the sink/WC?

There are to my knowledge two types of panelling. A laminated type with a water resistant Plywood core and hollow PVC panels. The PVC types should be a bit warmer and in theory, more resistant to condensation. Whereas the laminated plywood type is firmer, more hard wearing and more heat resistant which might be more suitable near close fitting radiators. The PVC type might be more difficult fitting anything to the walls. Some types are about 10mm thick and others are 3mm and can be applied on top of existing tiled walls.

Either type should be far more resistant to mould and fungi than tiles which is one reason why I like the idea of them. Plus it is much faster to fit.

There are many, many different makes of bathroom panels and all different prices. Doing a search of bathroom panels throws up lots, there are some on eBay and examples on youtube.

The laminated panels seem to be the most expensive. There are larger panels which tend to be 100cm wide which are meant for shower areas, whereas many panels are 25cm wide with some being 33cm. There are also tilepanels which look a bit like tiles without the grout to go mouldy.

However so far I have not seen them in person because so far I have not ordered any samples, so I have to reserve my judgement on what they look like.

blushingbride_3

The bath is in it's own alcove so the panels will just be around the bath.
The rest of the bathroom will just be painted

It's only a room

getmore4less

I saw some in homebase, they look ok and can come in quite nice patterns. Sealing the corner joints and the joint to the shower tray/bath is more than just a bead of silicon judging by the instalation isntruction I read for one brand.

A.Penny.Saved

getmore4less wrote: »

I saw some in homebase, they look ok and can come in quite nice patterns. Sealing the corner joints and the joint to the shower tray/bath is more than just a bead of silicon judging by the instalation isntruction I read for one brand.

From what I have seen, some brands sell sealing strips for use at the bottom of the panels to connect with the bath/shower. They overlap the bath/shower and silicon is put inside the joint so that no silicon is outside the joint to become mouldy. If there is any mould, then it should be hidden inside. I would guess that a whole lot of silicon needs to be put inside the joint to make it waterproof. If it works as suggested then that would be one less joint to go mouldy and silicon can as bad as grout in that respect.

blushingbride_3

yeh you buy special strips for corners and for along the bath that the panels it in and get sealed into.

Just gotta see if I can find one I like and also work out if cheaper than tiling.

I only have 7m2 to cover so tiling might be a similar price....

andyhop

Try multipanel.co.uk

Local to us and they can tongue and groove boards rather than the nasty alloy or plastic trims. Trade pay £76 + vat per 1200x2400 sheet unfinished edge

aggypanthus

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

A.Penny.Saved

The prices vary widely from my research. They can be purchased for about £6 or so a 2.5-2.6 meter panel x 25 cm.
I quite like the arctic flower panel although I did not really want white for the walls because a white bathroom suite needs a contrasting colour. My bathroom is quite small at 2mx1.7m so needs to be kept fairly light and having panels running lengthways on the ceiling should help make it look longer. I wonder what they would look like on the ceiling?

I don't like the silicon sealant that they have used around the bath because that will encourage mould and fungi. I am sure that they do fittings to eliminate the need for external silicon when joining the bath and panels.
http://wetpanel.com/offers/

here is a good range but not so sure whether it is a discount price like the site name suggests
http://www.discountpanels.co.uk/index.php

The following site has a fairly good guide on panel types and other useful info
http://www.bathroommarquee.co.uk/bathroom-wall-panel-materials.php

What are you doing for the ceiling? Are you considering using panels?

blushingbride_3

Ceiling is currently painted with coving & I'm happy with that so it will simply be panels around the wall

Thanks for the links some I hadn't seen & some nice coloured ones also like the look of tile effect ones.

Gonna pop in to my local plastics shop which stocks them & I can see the choices.
My parents have them & are happy just I am not sure travertine goes with white gloss furniture?

I'm getting this:

http://www.dougfields.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=140_141&products_id=1615

And a new bath. Then hoping not to have to spend too much more my budget is £2