Posted 2 days ago

PVC Bathroom Panels

Does anyone have any experience with PVC wall panels being fitted in their bathroom that can comment on longevity and durability? It appears they’re becoming a popular alternative for tiling but would love some feedback before taking a chisel to my bathroom walls!

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2nd Apr
I have been to a few jobs that have had panels installed a while ago. As mentioned about the hollow ones are very brittle and wouldn't recommend for tenanted houses or anywhere that people are not careful.
Also the joins open and close a little from expansion allowing dirt to be trapped into the joints when cleaning etc. But cheap and cheerful and quick to go up but it's probably 2 days labour saved from tiling a bathroom that's going to be in place for over 20 years so not really cost effective long term if you don't stay on top of the cleaning etc.
Author
11 h, 32 m ago
My suite isn’t too old so looking at this potentially as medium term option until the whole thing needs replacing, but will definitely bear in mind everything you’ve said.
1st Apr
I fit these when he king my brother in law who re fits bathrooms, there are two types , a solid plastic and one that’s cheaper plastic with hollow insides , do not buy that it’s extremely fragile . If you fell into it you would easy crack or put a hole into it
2nd Apr
This is very weak and brittle

wickes.co.uk/Wickes-PVCu-Marble-Effect-Interior-Cladding-250-x-2500mm/p/9000033772 (edited)
2nd Apr
I did a bathroom with 8x4 sheets of plastic known as corex, bought from a sign shop. Held to the wall with mastic, joints sealed with silicon, and easily carved with a sharp knife, or drilled. Goes up so easily and quickly.
The material is made for outdoor signs, so there is little damage that will occur in a safe environment with a regular temperature. You could put your vinyl decal on it to make it pretty. After all, that's what is was designed to accept
Author
11 h, 56 m ago
Just Google’d correx sheets, they look the same as the PVC panels I’ve been comtemplating, just without the designs. Wondering if I’m missing something?!
23 h, 3 m ago
i had them installed at a rental property for part of the bathroom wall. Looks nice at first but soon looks grubby, unlike tiles. They are not cheap either but labour costs is less than tiles. I would only use them in showers and not the whole bathroom.
Author
11 h, 54 m ago
I’ll keep this in mind, as I was going to have them ceiling height along the wall where the bath/shower is, adjoining the wall with sink and toilet, and then half wall height on the next adjoining wall with radiator. Perhaps I’ll reconsider just doing the shower/bath walls and then on the wall behind the toilet and sink as a splash back.
14 h, 48 m ago
I fit the hollow panel ones quite often. Anything can be damaged by accident.
They are really easy to clean and keep mould free compared to tiles. More expensive to buy compared to some tiles but you save a couple of days labour on fitting them.
You can stick them to existing tiles given the right situation.
Author
11 h, 22 m ago
I wouldn’t be able to stick them on top of tiles unfortunately - which is ironically the reason that first made them appeal to me! I’d love to pick your brains with some
more questions though if you don’t mind.

Is there any prep work required to the walls after removing tiles? My assumption is sanding them until smooth, but please correct me if wrong!

Does the bath get slightly taken out so they’re fitted floor length behind/around the bath?

If having a new shower bar and shower panel fitted, is it better to do that before or after the panels go on?

Are the cuts around those type of things easy enough for someone who knows what they’re doing? Would I need to buy extra to allow for issues?
2nd Apr
I'm having these fitted as I speak >> ukbathrooms.com/pro…tml

Not the cheapest but I'm hoping will aesthetically outlive any tiles
Author
11 h, 56 m ago
Ooh very nice
The ones I’m looking at are much cheaper but if you care to share, I’d love to see some photos when it’s finished!