Simply put, acrylic panels have the look and style of tiles but without the mold, moisture, and cracking problems.
Acrylic is a top option for the shower walls because it is relatively affordable, offers outstanding mold-resistance, and it is available in a wide assortment of colors, textures, and designs to meet just about any style.
Acrylic / Fiberglass
With affordable acrylic materials, these walls are chip, peel, crack and fade-resistant as well as mold and mildew-resistant. Because these walls are a mold, they are very easy to maintain and to keep clean.
Install Mold-Resistant Materials
You can opt to use mold-resistant paint, or paint with mildew-resistant additives. Also, do consider vinyl flooring which is not only low-maintenance, but also resistant to water, mold and mildew. They come in numerous colors to fit your personal preferences as well.
We recommend acrylic as the best shower wall material. Acrylic is the best system to use for shower walls because it is the safest, least high maintenance, and easy to install, meaning your shower could be done in as little as one day.
Shower materials that are easier to clean are therefore those with smooth and nonporous surfaces such as glass, fiberglass, and acrylic. While glass is a great option for shower doors, it may not be a suitable option for the entire shower enclosure.
Out of all of the shower materials on the market, acrylic is by far the easiest to clean!
Fiberglass insulation helps resist any water damage and mold growth. Fiberglass is resistant to mold by its nature, and some companies produce an added layer of protection by treating their products with an EPA-approved fungicide.
It was concluded that brick, linoleum, and tile were all free of mold, while drywall, wood, and finally masonite, with the most, had considerable growth. Therefore, the hypothesis is partially accepted, as the experiment determined which building materials are most resistant to mold growth.
Use non paper faced gypsum wallboard, water resistant fiberglass facing gypsum wallboard or panels, or cement board. These products may provide more resistance to moisture and mold than regular dry wall faced with paper. This is because paper facing provides a food source for mold.
The Ideal Drywall Alternative for Basements
Trusscore products, made from PVC, are mold- and mildew-resistant panels for basement walls and ceilings. They reflect light, they shed water, and they won't expand or swell. And Trusscore products clean up with a simple wipe.
You only need two ingredients – and you'll likely already have them at home. The best solution for cleaning mold in a shower is an equal mix of water and white vinegar, says Michael Golubev, CEO and expert at Mold Busters. Mixing the two in a spray bottle is the easiest way to kill mold spores.
Acrylic shower walls guarantee high durability, resisting cracks, scratches, stains, and chips. They're also affordable and easy to clean, so they suit homeowners who prefer low-maintenance yet appealingly simple shower walls. Glass tiles are elegant shower walls that look better than acrylic panels.
When it comes to keeping out moisture, silicone sealant is best for bathroom use. Silicone is waterproof and adheres very well to common bathroom substrates such as tile and glass. Furthermore, there are acetoxy silicone sealants that include fungicide, which makes them mold- and mildew-resistant.
Mold generally can't break down plastic easily. However, plastic contains many additives, such as plasticizers, cellulose, lubricants, stabilizers, and colorants to help provide desired features, and these additives ARE very easy for mold to break down.
To Prevent Mold Growth in Your Home
Keep humidity levels in your home as low as you can—no higher than 50%–all day long. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level low. You can buy a meter to check your home's humidity at a home improvement store.
Can a grout be Mold resistant? Yes, a cement based grout is naturally mold resistant. Mold and Mildew cannot live or grow on cement, this is a misperception because soap, cleaning fluids, oil, food, and other contaminants are left on the surface of the grout, feed the mold and mildew, and allow it to grow.
Mold hates light. Other than moisture there's nothing mold loves more than dark places.
Mold can grow on virtually any organic material as long as moisture and oxygen are present. There are molds that grow on: Wood. Paper.
Bottom line is that acrylic is a stronger material than fiberglass. Acrylic tubs effectively resist wear and tear for years on end, while fiberglass is prone to scratching and cracking. Fiberglass also fades more quickly, especially if exposed to sunlight coming in through a window.
Durability. Ceramic tile is one of the most durable materials you can choose for your shower. It will stand the test of time against daily wear and tear, and with the right grout and regular care, ceramic tile will be fairly low maintenance.
For showers, the most accessible option is a roll-in shower. This is a shower stall that has an curb-less entrance and the door (or opening) is a minimum of 36 inches wide. This would allow access for a wheelchair at some point and gives those who walk into the shower plenty of room to maneuver.