Best wall covering for en-suite or bathroom?

Chickereeeee

What is the best approach for an en-suite or bathroom wrt wall coverings nowadays? This would include a shower (with tray, door) as well as the wash basin etc area. I have always had tiles, which eventually get discoloured grouting. I have seen LVF mentioned for floors, but what about the walls? And what about the wall-floor junction? (Current en-suite has a skirting board).

Suggestions based on experience welcomed!

bris

The wall boards (shower panels) are my new go to. I use the 10mm pvc ones from Eurocell for rentals or there are dozens available online)and they look great for about £60 a pop.

 But if you have a bigger budget the Multipanel by Lynda barker, about £180 a board or the many cheaper alternatives with the wood core. They arent must cheaper though and still cost about £150 a board. I use the tongue and groove for an invisible finish as I don't like the ones that need a trim inbetween to join them.

They can be installed on top of tiles, especially if removing the tiles destroys the walls, which can and does happen.

For the flooring LVF is the best choice for me personally, some people still prefer tiles but LVF is much more comfortable under the feet and so easy to lay, even over the old tiles as LVF is only a few MM's thick.

It's always a better look to take off the skirting board and replace it after the job is done. it's much better finish than using beeding.

ka7e

I have acrylic wall panels as a shower surround. No grouting to worry about and easy to clean. You can get a huge range of colours and patterns, though plain white is the cheapest. Around the bath I have tongue and groove panels which are OK, but I would have preferred a flush surface. They were definitely quicker to install than tiles, so cheaper labour costs. I still have skirting boards in place,

DRP

I agree , shower panel /aquapanel around the shower cubicle walls, vinyl flooring and plaster/bathroom paint for the rest.

Who wants the hassle of tiles & grout? 

koalakoala

The LVT that I looked at all said unsuitable for bathrooms, as not 100% waterproof

neilmcl

koalakoala said:

The LVT that I looked at all said unsuitable for bathrooms, as not 100% waterproof

Well you're clearly looking at the wrong stuff then.

ashe

Gonna go against the grain and say tiles. Those panels look tacky as anything 

Chickereeeee

Thanks for replies. 
I have seen some panels that look unappealing, usually in hotels, but that may be because of their specific finish. I believe you can get a tile-look finish, but have not seen it installed.

Cost isn't the major concern, but looking good over a reasonable life-span is.

MalMonroe

You can get some really lovely tiles and nowadays grout isn't one of the prominent features. Just have a look at the Wickes website for example, to get some ideas. My friends have just had their bathroom renovated and it looks lovely with those large tiles that look so smart on all the walls, including those in the shower. Minimal grout and maximum expensive looks, although they didn't spend a fortune. Just have a google, see what's out there. I fancy some of those blocks of tiny tiles for my bathroom walls, when next we renovate. . . but the thought of discoloured grout shouldn't put you off, that's a thing of the past.

Bendy_House

Chickereeeee said:

Thanks for replies. 
I have seen some panels that look unappealing, usually in hotels, but that may be because of their specific finish. I believe you can get a tile-look finish, but have not seen it installed.

Cost isn't the major concern, but looking good over a reasonable life-span is.

Visit a few bathrooms stores - I think you'll change your mind :-)

There are some truly impressive panels available these days, with textured surfaces to match their finishes. They both look and feel quality - not at all a compromise to tiles. Having said that, the least effective aesthetic panel finishes - imo - are the ones designed to mimic tiles with their (phony) grout lines, so I much preferred the whole panels in finishes such as slate and stone.

I'd also avoid the cheaper hollow PVC panels - they are great value and I'm sure they 'work', but the other impressive aspect of the 'proper' shower panels is how solid they felt. I think the ones I looked at included the Linda Barker range. I'm a convert, and will seriously consider them for my bathroom refurb - that or large-sized tiles.

DRP

BH's comments resonate with me too. In my mind these panels were like the plastic ones you might find in cheap holiday chalets or caravans, but there are great finishes out there - we're on our 3rd bathroom with them (over 2 houses) !!