Wonder walls

Stylish, durable and quick to install, bathroom wall panels are becoming increasingly popular. These alternatives to traditional tiles bring affordable luxury to the masses. Bathroom wall panels come in a wide range of sizes, colours, designs and effects – from faux marble and stone to wood and tile.

Affordable alternative

Historically, plumbing and heating engineers wouldn’t take on the tiling part of a bathroom project, but the introduction of bathroom wall panels has changed that, enabling them to design and install a bathroom from start to finish.

Bathroom wall panels not only provide a waterproof finish, but they are much faster to install and far easier to clean and maintain than traditional tiles. The fact that they don’t need grout means that there is no unsightly mould or grout discolouration for end users to contend with.

“Waterproof panels are a modern, versatile tile alternative for decorating bathroom walls,” says Elliott Fairlie, product and marketing director at Grant Westfield. “They are suited to all sizes and shapes of bathrooms, wet rooms and cloakrooms. Panels can be mixed and matched to create a unique look, while pairing them with walls painted in contrasting colours is also highly effective.”

For those who still like the look of ceramic tiles, there are panels that replicate them, but without the messy and sometimes lengthy installation or ongoing maintenance issues that can come with the real thing.

Additional revenue

Bathroom wall panels provide plumbers with an ideal opportunity to take complete control of their bathroom projects. Upskilling to fitting panels removes the need to bring in another trade, which not only maximises the profit per job but also speeds up the overall project, helping you to complete more installations each year.

“Panels open up design possibilities that aren’t always achievable with tiles,” points out Fairlie. “For example, slatted panels can be used to create a contemporary look that’s hugely popular in interior design.”

Using simple systems such as tongue-and-groove joints enables installers to fit panels in as little as half a day, compared to the multiple days usually required for tiling. In fact, bathroom wall panels can be installed up to five times quicker than traditional tiles.

“The fact that no specialist skillsets are required to fit panels simplifies labour demand on projects, as solo engineers and smaller teams can pick up the work themselves,” adds Joanne Mailen, product lead at Wetwall^™. “Freeing up and streamlining project time means plumbing and heating engineers can take on and complete more jobs, knowing this aspect of the installation can be covered off quickly and effectively.”

Easy installation

Bathroom wall panels offer installers and end users a range of benefits, including the fact that they are highly adaptable in a bathroom and can be used in showers or around baths or to line walls from top to bottom for a seamless look.

“They can be used vertically across walls, turned horizontally for bath surrounds or as a half-wall installation,” explains Mailen. “Across all applications, their large format makes them easier to fit. This is to say nothing of innovations such as post-formed edges, that negate the need for trims and finishing, and fast-fit tongue-and-groove joints that further streamline already swift installations.”

Preparation is key to ensuring a perfect finish, so installers need to make sure that wall surfaces are clean and free from dirt and grease, structurally sound and, ideally, level. If necessary, flatten high spots and fill in low spots and remove any wallpaper or loose paint that could interfere with a strong adhesive bond.

Certain brands of panels can be fitted to imperfect walls as there are systems that allow for up to 6mm of tolerance and they can even be fitted over existing tiles. Tongue-and-groove joint systems can be used when walls are not level.

“Always plan ahead – panels come in set sizes, so good planning helps minimise waste,” says Fairlie. “Offcuts can be used effectively for splashbacks or bath panels, making the most of each sheet. Also allow for expansion gaps at the top and bottom of the panels, seal these with silicone and make sure the correct trims are used throughout the installation.”

Practical advice

If walls are particularly uneven, fitting shower panels directly to them may affect the quality of the joints and result in the adhesive not making sufficient contact when the panels are installed. In this instance, rather than making sure that panels are plumb with existing walls, installers should ensure that the panels are themselves plumb.

One option is to level out the surface of the wall by plastering but this could make the job more costly and mean it takes longer to complete. Creating a batten frame built over the uneven wall to create a level surface for new panelling would work, assuming that the customer is happy with the slightly reduced dimensions of the room.

The use of battens will not only make it easier to install the bathroom wall panels, they can also have the benefit of providing space to conceal pipes that might detract from the aesthetic.

Having checked that the walls can support a firm screw hold, you should ensure there is a vertical batten under every panel join. In those areas where heavy items such as a hung basin or toilet are to be attached to the wall through the panels, extra battens must be installed to provide additional support.

“Wall panels can be the perfect solution for your bathroom upgrade, even if the walls are less than perfect,” says Fairlie. “By getting the preparation right installers can create a beautiful and durable bathroom wall covering that will look good for years to come.”

Benefits for installers

• Quick to install: Typically a one-day job, instead of several days for tiles
• Easy to install: With click-lock systems
• Cleaner: Less dust and disruption, ideal for occupied homes
• More profitable: Faster installation times mean reduced labour costs

Benefits for end users

• Modern aesthetic: A wide range of finishes including marble, stone, matte, gloss, wood and tile effects
• Low maintenance: No grout to clean and no need for harsh chemicals
• Long-term peace of mind: Some come with warranties of up to 30 years
• Cost-effective: Overall lower cost due to reduced installation time
• Quick installation: Less disruption and a faster bathroom transformation.