They require more regular maintenance than wet walls/shower walls, as grout can harbour mildew and mould. Ultimately though, well-maintained tiles may last longer than wet walls. That said, wet wall panels are much easier and cheaper to replace than tiles, as well as require less effort to install.
Tiles are generally more expensive to produce and when you factor in the cost of grout and a tiler to complete the work (unless you're keen on a weekend bathroom DIY project), panels are a great way to save money and still achieve a dramatic look.
The cheapest option is painting your bathroom walls. Choose a semi-gloss paint for a finish that stands up to moisture and is easy to clean.
Ceramic: $1.25 to $30 per square foot
Ceramic tiles are a popular choice for bathrooms because they are affordable, durable, and available in various colors and designs.
Simply put, acrylic panels have the look and style of tiles but without the mold, moisture, and cracking problems. A completely non-porous and waterproof material, it can be used to cover a full wall or as a decorative wainscoting wall accent. Acrylic is one of the most cost-effective materials for your bathroom.
Bathroom wood panels can not only be cleverly used to hide unsightly pipework and less-than-perfect surfaces, but they can also provide storage in the form of a half wall bathroom shelf or ledge- the perfect spot for bathroom essentials and even a print or two.
Install cement board or an equivalent moisture-resistant backing material on walls behind tub and shower enclosures composed of tile or panel assemblies with caulked joints. Don't use paper-faced backer board, i.e., paper-faced drywall, behind seamed tub and shower enclosures.
As they are a long-lasting and durable product, bathroom wall panels make for a really cost effective solution with guarantees of up to 30 years on some products. In all cases, you can expect these panels to last around 10 years or more. But if you fancy a change, you can always update the panels fuss-free.
To reduce the cost of your bathroom remodel, consider opting for affordable materials, keeping the existing layout, refinishing fixtures instead of replacing them, and handling some of the work yourself. Additionally, shopping around for deals on materials and fixtures can help save money.
Vinyl plank and tile make some of the best alternatives for floor tiles.
There are now a wide range of attractive alternatives to traditional tiles for the bathroom, including mineral or clay-based renderings for walls. We present the main materials and techniques for wall and floor coverings and pass on some tips to help you turn your bathroom into a tile-free wellness retreat.
Just like tiles, the cost of shower wall panels will vary depending on the style and design being considered. This price variation can reflect the cost of materials used in construction which in turn could affect the quality of the final product.
Is Microcement Cheaper Than Tiles? Yes, microcement is significantly more cost-effective than traditional tiles. With a more consistent pricing structure and lower installation and maintenance costs, microcement offers a budget-friendly flooring solution for both residential and commercial projects.
“Wall panels are always on trend and always will be,” said Kailee Blalock and Taylor Troia, co-founders of House of Hive Design Co. “Traditional wall panels are a great way to add a timeless element to a home.”
It is important to properly seal and waterproof the joints between MDF shower panels to prevent water from leaking behind the walls as the T&G is not as tight as Ply shower panels.
The short answer to the question is, “It's not recommended.” However, this answer only really only suffices if you're converting a room that was never a bathroom into a wet space. Drywall on its own is not suitable for use in bathrooms because it is prone to absorbing moisture and thus losing structural integrity.
Go Wild With Tile
"We try and wrap partial tile around the walls outside of the bath and shower to make the bathroom feel more cohesive," Paz says. "If you pick a less expensive tile overall, it creates a more luxurious feeling to the space."
Apart from being up to twenty-five per cent cheaper than tiles, shower panels have a lot going for them. They take less time to install and are much easier to maintain. If you are looking for a hygienic solution for a shower, it is worth noting that panels do not require any grouting.
Paint is by far the cheapest way of giving your bathroom walls a makeover. But as you can imagine, not all kinds of paint work for bathroom walls. You have two different options – water-resistant paint and waterproof paint.
For smaller bathrooms, the fully tiled look can make the space appear larger. By fully tiling the walls from floor to ceiling, the smaller bathroom can more easily be converted into a wet room at a future stage. Provides a cleaner junction between tiled walls and floors with less fussy detailing.
Tiles: Generally more expensive upfront. Costs include materials and professional installation. Wallpaper: Usually cheaper materials and the possibility of DIY installation reduce costs.