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If you think tile is the only way to go when designing your shower, think again!
There are many options that can help you save on time and budget. Shower wall panels are becoming a homeowner favorite!
Within the bath industry, your shower wall material is often referred to as a shower surround. It’s possible to obtain fully prefabricated shower inserts that you can slide straight into your bathroom, or a shower surround kit that comes in a couple of pieces that you can assemble. Shower surround panels, often made of composite materials, require a bit more assembly, but are incredibly versatile in terms of shape and size.
Of course, you can still always choose tile as the material for your surround. To help you decide, we’ve broken down some pros and cons of each.
How to Choose Which Shower Surround to Use In Your Home
You may love the idea of a full shower you can just slide right into your bathroom, ready to go, but first make sure to assess your needs.
Consider the amount and the shape of the space in your bathroom. Curved corners, low ceilings, and other unique elements will make a difference in your design. Don’t forget the size of your doorways and hallways too. Some shower inserts are too large to fit through you house! In that case, you’d need to scale down to a shower kit, that comes in a couple pieces, or opt for the wall panels.
Plan your shower to match the style in the rest of your bathroom and house. A super sleek set of modern wall panels may not fit well with a more traditional aesthetic.
Weigh the benefits of time vs. money. Synthetic materials can save you some costs up front, but may age faster than classic materials like ceramic, cutting down your resale value. Shower inserts and kits are convenient, but that will be reflected in the price tag, and you’ll likely have to pay for delivery.
Lastly, if you prioritize sustainability, you may wish to choose porcelain and glass tiles over the solid surface or plastic options of other shower surround types.
Weighing the Pros & Cons of Each Shower Surround Material Option
Tile
Shower Surround
Pros
Tiles endure in popularity because they are highly customizable and come in a variety of materials including ceramic, porcelain, and glass. They are long-lasting, high quality, and usually add great resale value to a home.
Cons
However, tiles do require professional installation or otherwise time-consuming effort. Grout is susceptible to staining and can grow mildew. Tiles are also not completely waterproof, as the material is porous. They can also crack over time, resulting in water damage to your floor and walls. Tile styles that are in fashion one year can age rather quickly, and are more expensive and difficult to swap out than other surround options.
Inserts & Prefab
Shower Surround
Pros
Shower inserts can come in one piece, or as a kit with a couple of large pieces that quickly assemble. They offer an incredibly fast and easy installation and can be cheaper than high-quality tiles, especially if you can pick it up and install it yourself, avoiding delivery and installation fees.
Cons
Pre-made showers are not easily customized and come in a limited range of sizes and styles. They usually are solid white, made of solid surface or composite, which can look cheap compared to artisan tile work. These larger surrounds may also not fit through your doors in one piece and can be difficult to move.
Panels
Shower Surround
Pros
Shower wall panels are a great option in between tiles and inserts. They come in a great range of colors and styles, and customization is easy. They can be attached to your wall with adhesive, making them easier to install than tiles, though with more steps than a prefab shower. They are completely nonporous, easy to clean, and require no grout even if you need multiple panels!
Cons
Some designs can look rather fake, so it’s important to choose a company with good reviews on their styles and quality. Panels can still be heavy, so you might need an extra hand to attach them to the wall. Some consumers report that the materials can stain, making cleaning more difficult.
Manufacturers of Shower Wall Panels
Delta Everedge, NexTile, Ove, Sterling, Maax, and American Standard widely distribute shower inserts and panels to home stores across North America. These big names create good products, though if you’d like to look further afield, you may find more unique options.
Flexstone
Orem, Utah
Flexstone designed its own plastic composite product specifically to mimic the appearance of natural stone. They print all their wall panels using photos of real stones, and achieve beautiful finishes in granite, marble, travertine, and more. Best of all, you don’t even need to remove existing tile before installing – they’re designed to fit right over it, and come with trim to complete the look.
Swanstone
St. Louis, Missouri
Swanstone is a great option if you’re looking for a modern subway tile look, with many color options. Their kits come in four pieces, which can be glued to the wall or attached directly to your studs.
The Onyx Collection, Inc.
Belvue, Kansas
The Onyx Collection diverges from the standard, smooth wall panel options with a greater variety of styles, such as wavy, textured panels and panels designed to look like shiplap tiles.
Tile Redi
Charlotte, North Carolina
Tile Redi creates just one simple type of polyurethane panel, which you can order in singles, or in packs of eight. They also create shower accessories such as insert wall cubbies, corner shelves, and ledges.
Tower Industries
Massillon, Ohio
Tower Industries manufactures tub surrounds using their own patented solid surface material. The panels come in over a dozen warm, natural colors in either gloss or with a granite texture.
Laurel Mountain
New Castle, Pennsylvania
Laurel Mountain builds acrylic shower inserts that come in 4 or 5 large pieces of glossy white or subway tile. Their extra large options, built-in seats, and sturdy stainless steel handlebars make this one of the best options for an accessible shower.
American Bath Enterprises, Inc.
Hayward, California
American Bath Enterprises creates ADA compliant shower systems with a low threshold, ramp, and folding seats. Their other surrounds come in 2 to 3 pieces and fit seamlessly around a tub or walk-in shower base.
P.S.
Have you recently made over your bathroom? How did you design your shower? We’d love to see your before and after pictures!
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