There are several kinds of materials that can be used on the shower wall, for both decorative and protective purposes. If you are still unsure over which shower wall material to use, then you have just landed at the right place because in this article we are going to discuss just that.
After extensive research, we have come up with the five best shower wall materials that can look remarkable and fits perfectly on your shower walls:
- Acrylic
- Ceramic tiles
- Natural stone
- Fiberglass
- Glass tiles.
So, what makes these materials unique? Well, each of them has some great things to offer, but for starters, they are easy to clean and give an aesthetic look to your shower walls. To find out which material is best for you and why keep reading the article.
5 Best Material to Use on Your Shower Walls
We would never want to impose our decision about what is best for your shower wall. So, here we are going to let you choose for yourself. That being the case, we will present the five best shower wall materials, and you can decide which one will suit you well. Let’s get started!
1. Acrylic
Acrylic comes in single, large units that fit flawlessly onto your shower wall. It is comparatively smoother and presents a wide variety of appealing designs and styles. You can effortlessly decorate your shower and bathroom walls with an array of acrylic pieces to give it an aesthetic look.
Acrylic has high durability due to its triple-seal technology construction. It is made to stand up to the depletion caused by daily overuse. Acrylic is also nonporous, so it does not allow the soap scum, mildew, dirt, and mold to seep into it or stick to the surface. Although the price may vary, the pieces of acrylic are generally affordable.
Pros:
- Extremely durable and prevents damages to the surface.
- Installation is easy.
- Easy to maintain.
- Light in weight than other tiles.
Cons:
- Lesser style options.
- Can be installed by a professional only.
- Cannot be customized; they are packaged in fixed sizes and configurations.
2. Ceramic Tiles
Ceramic tiles typically come in a wide variety of designs, textures, and sizes. You can easily find something that matches your taste. Traditionally, they are made by revealing the clay piece to incredibly high temperatures.
If ceramic tiles are installed properly, they last longer and can give style to your bathroom walls. To clean the surface of the tiles, wipe it with a cloth dipped in soapy water. For extended durability, you need to pay a minimum of $3 per sq. Ft on low price whereas for expensive tiles, you need to pay $7 per sq. Ft.
Also, there are ways you can fix your existing ceramic tiles by painting them instead of replacing them.
Pros:
- Extremely affordable.
- Easy installation.
- Can be installed without a professional.
- Resists water.
Cons:
- Available in limited color variation.
- Increased risk of mildew and mold growth.
3. Natural Stone
Natural stone is the material that is the most eye-capturing. It will make you stare at your bathroom wall in awe for a while before you realize that you have been at it for quite some time now. The stone pieces are installed by fitting them one by one onto the concrete.
There are several types of natural stone available for your shower wall: slate, granite, travertine, and onyx. All of these stone types are easy to clean and absorb water and soap scum. Depending on the type of natural stone you like, the cost varies from $100 to $300 per sq. Ft inclusive of material and labor.
Pros:
- Naturally beautiful and Hardwearing.
- Appearance becomes better with age and use.
- These stones do not go out of fashion ever.
- Variety of sizes and forms available.
Cons
- Quite expensive of all.
- Heavy than most of the alternatives available.
4. Fiberglass
Fiberglass is a material that is synthesized in factories. It comes in the form of a single large sheet. This material is easy to install. The walls that are made up of fiberglass are thicker, which makes them soundproof.
It is also easy to clean because they do not have grout lines that need excessive scrubbing. If you are on a tight budget, this is the ideal choice for you as it is the most low-priced of all. The prices may vary depending on the state and location.
Pros
- Installation is economical and efficient.
- Available in two options: high density and medium density.
- Easy to clean.
- It has a plastic covering that prevents vapor.
Cons
- This material can cause cancer, as suggested by some studies.
- They don’t fit perfectly along with adjoining ceilings and walls.
5. Glass Tile
Most of the shower walls are made using glass tiles material. They are waterproof. They are fast and easy to clean due to their smooth surface. Use the all-purpose cleaners to clean the grout and the tiles. You can also use soapy water (We will expand on it later).
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Glass tiles are available in numerous colors, patterns, and sizes to match your bathroom aesthetics. The prices of glass tiles lie in a range between $600 and $1300. But you will have to spend some extra money on professional installation as they are delicate.
Pros:
- Cleaning is easy.
- Prevents the growth of mildew or mold.
- Water-resistant.
- The material is eco-friendly.
Cons:
- More expensive than the other alternatives.
- Needs professional installation.
Which Stone is Best for Your Shower Walls?
The variety of natural stones available in the market might make the homeowners overwhelmed and confused as to which one to choose. Each one looks beautiful if installed properly. The three stones that you must consider for your shower walls are.
Marble
The marble alone is enough to make your bathroom walls elegant and beautiful. Especially the white marble can give a classy touch. It is also easy to clean- all you need is a good quality cleaning product, and your marble will shine like new.
Granite
Granite is one of the hardest natural stones. It hardly gets stained, and the cleaning process is easy. Also, it comes in various colors.
Travertine
Travertine is a natural stone that is made of water. It is an ideal choice for wet places such as shower walls and bathrooms. Take precautions and keep the grout lines small to prevent water from seeping into the stone.
What to Install behind Shower Walls?
No shower wall is completely watertight; so, it is essential to protect them from moisture and water. No matter if it is your first time building the shower wall or if it is the millionth time you are redesigning. A few of the waterproofing materials available for your shower walls are.
Tile Enclosures
You can use FibaTape to stop moisture and swelling behind tile enclosures. You need to install a polythene sheeting of 6 millimeters before the backer boards. It will protect the tape from getting affected by vapors and from deforming. Install the backer board after placing the sheets.
Green Board/DryWall
You can install good-quality acrylic surrounds behind the green board or drywall. It will help prevent damage to the drywall by reducing the moisture. These surroundings can also be placed above the drywall, and it will still do its work. Remember to hang the polythene sheeting before covering the surroundings.
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Which Shower Surface is The Easiest to Clean?
The easiest to clean shower surface is fiberglass. It is packaged in a single large sheet, which makes it simple to protect against grime, mildew, and mold. A few of the products needed to clean fiberglass is:
- Baking Soda
- Sponge
- White Vinegar
- Spray Bottle
Begin by using white vinegar to fill your spray bottle. Shake it properly before spraying on the shower wall surface and into the grout spaces, crevices, or cracks. Leave it for half an hour.
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The second step is to sprinkle a fair amount of baking soda on the surface of the fiberglass. Wipe it by using a sponge in a gentle circular motion. The mixing of vinegar with baking soda will produce some foaming. Rinse the surface using hot water and let it air dry.
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Which one is better: Tiles or Shower Wall Panels?
If you already have shower wall panels fitted, then you do not have to worry anymore. The shower wall panels are better than tiles in several ways.
Cleaning the shower wall panels is easy too. You need a good antibacterial spray, and your wall will look as good as new. Also, tiles have spaces in them that are also known as grout. The dirt and debris gather in these spaces, so the cleaning process takes a lot of time.
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Generally, these wall panels have an overly simple design. A single panel is enough to cover a large area as opposed to multiple tiles. Tiles need to be measured and cut and dry fit, whereas the shower panels can be conveniently fitted.
Both the shower panels and the tiles have unique characteristics, but the shower wall panel is still the winner.
Final Thoughts
All of the suggested materials are incredible, and the decision is totally up to you. Choose according to your taste and budget.
