Maybe Shower Wall Panels aren’t a Crazy Idea After All…
Updated March 24, 2019
Patty came into my office to look at a glass enclosure for a new tile shower she and her husband Mark were installing in their upcoming bathroom remodel. The appointment was going well until I said to Patty, “Have you ever considered using grout free shower wall panels instead of tile?”
Patty looked at me like I had a third eye.
She said, “Mike – you’re either a little crazy or you’re filming me for the next episode of America’s Funniest Videos. I told you, Mark and I are designing this bathroom to be the LAST to be the last one we do. This bathroom is going to be stylish. It’s going to work for us until they wheel us out of this place. Why would I even think about putting in colorless, plasticky, cheap and hard to clean (oh – and did I mention ugly) shower wall surrounds?”
I thought to myself (sarcastically), “Well – that idea went over well!”
The reality is Patty is right on the money with how most people think about shower wall panels. They’re thin. They look like cheap plastic. They’re boring. They’d hard to install. And lastly – and maybe most importantly – you can’t keep them clean.
There’s nothing more embarrassing than a ‘white shower’ which is now a dull gray or yellowish-brown color. That’s just one reason you’ve kept those ugly high-privacy curtains on your hall bathroom with the fiberglass tub/shower surround. You’re hoping no one will see how bad the interior shower wall surrounds and pan look behind the curtains.
In this article I’m going to give you 5 reasons why people don’t want to use grout free shower wall panels in an upgraded bathroom remodel. Then I’ll serve up new information to expand your knowledge (and possibly change your thinking) about why shower wall panels are a smart option instead of tile.
5 Reasons You Don’t Want to Use Grout Free Shower Wall Panels (and some new information which can change your mind)
Reason #1) Shower wall panels are thin and cheap
Shower wall panels like FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic) are wafer-thin. Can you say.045, .060 and .090 thicknesses? This is basically the thickness of one thin dime. As George Benson might say if he was singing a slightly new version of the song On Broadway about a shower, ‘How you gonna enjoy some time (in your bathroom), if you’re panels are as thick as one thin dime?’ When you can buy Fiberglass Reinforced Panels panels for $75 to $95 per sheet – what do you expect- a thick quality product?
You can go one ‘tiny’ notch up and use fiberglass or acrylic walls. They’re .125 (1/8”) thick and slightly better, but nothing to write home to Mom about (and if you’re a guy did you ever write home to Mom anyway?).
Not all shower wall panels are thin and cheap
Yes – FRP and fiberglass panels (IMHO) are flat-out junk. If you’re looking to flip a rental-unit you want to sell in a not-so-great section of town, they may be good enough. But there’s no way you want to put that type of wall panel into a shower you plan to enjoy for years to come. Here’s 2 thicker – high quality alternatives to put on your remodeling research list:
Option #1 Solid surface or cultured granite wall panels
Solid surface panels are 3/8” thick, available in 51 colors and come in a wide variety of textures. The color is consistent throughout and they come with a lifetime guarantee. Cheap and thin they’re not. Durable and dense they are.
Option #2 – Laminated shower wall panels. ‘The no tile, tile wall.’
I totally understand your love-affair with ceramic tiles. They’re interesting. They come in larger sizes (which allow a small bathroom to feel bigger). You can lay them in different directions. But you know the downside to tile. They come joined at the hip with those evil grout joints. They’re a pain in the backside to clean. They grow mold. They can pop off the wall.
What if I told you, you can now enjoy tile and blow up the grout joints all together? Your bathroom, your shower or even your bathtub walls will have the realistic feel and look of tile without the maintenance – FOREVER!
Enter “The No-Tile, Tile Wall.” These laminated wall panels (which have been used in Europe for over 20 years) will be available in the United States in November of this year. They have crisp, clean ‘faux-grout’ grout joints. You’ll swear they’re tile – but they’re not! They have a durable laminate top layer over a marine-grade plywood subsurface.
Reason #2 – Wall panel systems look ‘plasticky’ and pre-molded
It’s not hard to tell a cheap shower wall surround. Its white, made of some type of plastic product (usually fiberglass) with pre-molded sides for soap and shampoo. It doesn’t even reach to where the shower head comes out. It’s got a cheap, builders-grade look.
In a bathroom remodeling project – a pre-made, pre-molded one-piece unit isn’t even a possibility (good for you). That’s because you can’t get them into the door like the builder did when your home was being built (before your finished walls were in place).
If you’re looking for something which doesn’t look anything like plastic check out 3 fun grout free wall panel options which look like concrete, glass and even natural wood (yet – are all low maintenance).
Wall panel options which don’t look anything like plastic. Killing it with concrete, glass and natural wood looks
The minimalist concrete look
If you like the sleek, minimalist look and want to ‘vibe’ (as your daughter says) with a Euro-designed bathroom how about the look of concrete (without having to worry about cracking)? If you think a concrete look is out of the question, (without building concrete walls), think again. These laminate (click-together) shower wall panels give you the urban-loft concrete look and they’re simple to install.
The all-glass look
I must admit to being partial to glass. These high gloss wall panels have a shine to brighten up even a bathroom with no natural light and they look just like glass (even though they made of a hard-coat optical grade acrylic). Popular colors include glacier, artic white and blue atoll (this light-blue color would be fun for a beach-themed room – don’t you think?).
The rustic wood or Farmhouse look
Ceramic tiles which have the wood look are all the rage. However, you still have to battle the grout joints which come with them. Eliminate the grout joints – yet still get this wood look – with the snap-together wood look shower wall panels. You can use these for the entire shower or simply create a wood feature wall. They’ll give your space an organic, relaxed, spa atmosphere.
Reason #3 Shower wall panels are all white or 50 Shades of Bone. They’re boring.
At certain stage of life, you want to go a little ‘Burger King.’ You want to have it your way. You’ve lived in the generic production home. You’ve showered in the phone-booth-sized white fiberglass one-piece shower. You lived the stamped-out of a box life and you’re done with it.
With the kids finally (or almost) out of the home – it’s time to add pizzazz and style in this (hopefully last) bath remodel. So, when someone says, why not consider shower wall panels – your immediate reaction is ‘no way.’ I’m going to get what I want this time. Something with color and style like ceramic tile.
This thought process makes total sense. But what if you could get a sense of style and color without having to deal with the maintenance of tile? It is possible to have your cake (a colorful, stylish shower) and eat it too (a low maintenance shower). Here’s how:
Use shower and bathroom wall panels which pack punch
One fun – and decorative shower wall panel option is to use faux stone wall panels. This product is digitally printed with the exact replica of real stone, without the maintenance (or water penetration) concerns of the real thing. They’re smart looking, cost-effective and give you time to enjoy your life vs. maintain your shower.
A second fun option are the high gloss walls mentioned above. If you’re adventuresome how about a bold fire engine red bathroom wall panel? Or how about a cobalt black wall for drama?
Bathroom wall panels don’t need to be boring.
Reason #4 – You can’t find anyone to install shower wall panels. It’s much simpler to find a tile setter
Finding contractors of any type (let alone ones who know what they’re doing, show up on time and actually communicate with you) is a pain in the butt. Finding someone to install a grout free wall panel system, if they haven’t done it before, in a high-demand remodeling market, can be difficult.
Yes, it’s simpler to find a tile setter (although not easy) than a contractor willing to learn something new if they haven’t installed a grout free wall panel system. However, there are ways to combat this hard-to-find-contractor problem.
Use easy to install, DIY friendly shower, tub and bathroom wall panels
Some early (and still popular) versions of shower wall panels are a pain to install. If you try to install standard ‘bath-in-a-day’ style acrylic wall panels, you’ll know what I’m talking about. They’re a pain to cut and are prone to shrinkage. This makes cutting and sizing panels difficult.
The good news is all wall panel installations are not created equal.
For example, with the PVC composite panels they’re so simple to install you can cut them with a carpenter’s knife.
With solid surface wall panels, even though they’re 3/8” thick, they can be cut with standard woodworking equipment.
And if you want a third simple idea, imagine wall panels which are smaller in size (about 2’ x 8’) which simply click together after you put the waterproof sealant in between them (this is the system used with the laminate wall panels).
You can get wall panels which aren’t a pain to install. If you have a stubborn contractor unwilling to install new products, with these systems you can take the bull by the horns and just install the product yourself.
Reason #5 – You can’t get shower wall panels clean
If you can’t get your shower walls completely clean, it’s a disaster. I can’t tell you how many fiberglass shower walls and pans I’ve seen with customers who practically want to scream because of their frustration seeing a dirty or yellowed surface.
This cleaning issue is not a problem with ‘shower wall panels in general,’ it’s a problem when you have the wrong shower wall panel (note – usually cleaning problems with panels are associated when fiberglass is used.
Your solution is to ditch the fiberglass and use something better. What are those easy cleaning choices, you might ask? Consider these options:
Low maintenance shower wall panels
Almost anything is better than fiberglass to clean but my favorite choices are the panel types talked about above. The PVC composite, laminate and solid surface units are all simple to work with. They can be cleaned with non-abrasive cleaning solutions – or just use soap and water to wipe them down. They won’t yellow or get dirt caked in them you can’t clean.
Conclusion
I can tell you from first-hand experience I’m seeing a HUGE shift in the market (especially from homeowners who’ve ‘been around the block and tell me this isn’t their first-home-remodeling-rodeo anymore) who are switching to wall panels from tile. They understand you don’t have to put up with the hassles of tile to have a luxurious bathroom.
Sure, there are wall panels which look thin, plasticky, colorless and are a pain to clean – but you don’t have to settle for those.
If you’re open to new ideas check out what many Europeans already know today – there’s a lot of value (both in style and lower maintenance) switching away from tile into today’s stylish grout free wall panel systems.
What are you waiting for?
Get off your hands and knees cleaning tile and call (or click through) to learn more about inventive shower wall panels. Then you’ll start saying …. maybe grout free wall panels aren’t so crazy after all.
How can I (or a member of my team) help you?
If you need help designing or selecting the best option in grout free shower wall panels (including laminated panels, high gloss walls, solid surface surrounds or decorative faux stone panels), contact Innovate Building Solutions at 877-668-5888 for nationwide supply. For help with a local bathroom installation project call The Bath Doctor in Cleveland at 216-658-1270 or in Columbus at 614-252-7294.
If you’re a remodeler or builder and want practical advice on remodeling products, industry trends, marketing and sales tips to grow your business (and cut day to day hassles), start reading my newest blog – Innovate Builders Blog. It’s packed with ideas you can use now. Click here to Sign Up for the Innovate Builders Blog.
If you’re in the building business, click here if you’d like to learn how to become a shower wall panel dealer or call and ask for Mike at 877-668-5888.
Mike Foti
Jenny – thanks for your comment. Our team is actually evaluating right now potentially shipping into Canada (although we haven’t set up a process for this yet, or determined how cost effective it will be for us). However, even in the interim we could get you pricing for shipping our products to anywhere in the United States if you can get the product across the line. Feel free to call our team at 877-668-5888. Thanks for reading my blog! Mike
jenny Charron
can I get any of these materials in Canada, specifically Kingston Ontario
thanks
Jenny
Mike Foti
Greg – thanks for your interest. We have a dealer in Colorado Springs – but I’m not sure they’d go that far. If you can get me your email information I’ll put in touch with this company – which is called Best Construction Brands – Mike
Gregory E Heine
Hello Mike.
Very interested in your panel systems for a remodel shower.
We are in Westcliffe, Co.
1.5 hrs from Pueblo or Colorado Springs.
Do you have installers in these areas yet.
Thank you,
Greg
Mike Foti
Dana – we don’t yet have an installing dealer yet in Montana – but we could wholesale materials directly to you or your contractor. Please call us at 877-668-5888 if we can help further – Mike
Dana E.
How would some one in Missoula, Montana get access to the products you describe (shower wall panels)?
Mike Foti
Carolyn – we have a dealer in Seaford New York who may be able to help you (he hasn’t done a lot with us yet though). Feel free to call us at 877-668-5888. Thanks – Mike
Carolyn Knittel
I am considering extending a powder room in order to add a shower but need to have all ducks in a row before actually doing anything. Another bath remo used cultured marble panels that match a countertop. I love the solution but that product is unable to coordinate with existing tile for this new project. The space is only 44 inches wide and I would the shower could be 36 inches deep. Do you have a dealer on Long Island? Thank you.
Mike Foti
Lauren – we have 3 companies in the Phoenix and Scottsdale areas. It may be best if you call us (877-668-5888) and we can go over where you live, what you want to do and which one might be a fit for you. Thanks for reading my blog – Mike
Lauren Muro
Very interested do you have any sites or contractors in AZ?
Mike Foti
Sue – we have a new dealer in St. Louis – but I’m not sure if his company goes up to Kansas City. However, many of our new dealers have been from contractors hired by our customers who then decide to get more serious about our line. Feel free to call our office (or have your contractor call our office) and we’ll lead you (or your installer) through the installation process. Thanks for your questions – Mike 877-668-5888.
Sue Madrid
I’m wanting to replace my current tile shower with solid surface materials. Do you have any contractors in the Kansas City, MO area who are familiar with using your materials?
Mike Foti
Hi Michele – we do have installing dealers in North Carolina or we can wholesale materials to you or your contractor. Let me know how we can help. Mike -877-668-5888.
Michele
Any one that carries these in North Carolina?
Mike Foti
Lisa – we do have some dealers in Northern California. Give us a call with your hometown and let’s see if we can get you to the right company. You can reach us at 877-668-5888 – Mike
Lisa Bisagno
Any dealers in Northern California?
Mike Foti
Gwen – thanks for your comment. We can help you with both the shower wall panels and a shower floor (or base). Call our office at 877-668-5888. Our staff is into bathroom remodeling and would be honored to help you – Mike
Gwen Persichetti
Re doing shower and would like to purchase panels and shower floor
In Atlanta Georgia
Mike Foti
Don – while we don’t have a dealer or contractor yet in Daytona Beach we’d be happy to work with you and/or the contractor of your choice on how to install these panels. Feel free to call us at 877-668-5888. Mike
don haus
hi mike
any dealers or contractor in the daytona beach are or you need avacation out of the snow
Mike Foti
Jeff – while we don’t have a location in Seattle we have a dealer in your area. Give us a call and we’d be glad to talk about your project and give you a referral for wall panels and shower pans and enclosures. Mike 877-668-5888.
Jeff
Anything close to Seattle?
Mike Foti
Fred – you can get our shower and tub wall panels by calling 877-668-5888. We have a number of people who are knowledgeable in all the wall panel styles we have and can go over pricing and provide you with free design assistance. Mike
fred osita
I need contact on how to get the wall panel tile
Mike Foti
Lindel – the PVC composite panels can be glued up over tile in a shower. I would only caution to be careful about this If there is any moisture trapped behind the tile, when you put a waterproof wall panel system over it you will trap that moisture inside – which can be a breeding ground for mold. We usually recommend you remove the old tile, so this will never be a concern. If you need any additional assistance, call us at 877-668-5888. Mike
Lindel Cummings
Can any of these panels be glued over existing tile in a shower? I have a custom shower that is 41″ wide by about 6′ long.
Mike Foti
Jennifer – thanks for your thoughts. I can certainly understand what you’re saying. You need to get remodeling jobs done on a tight time frame (which is good for you as a contractor, and for the owner). With some shower wall panel systems (like custom made cultured marble and granite) the lead times can be long – up to 4 or 5 weeks. However, with the laminate wall panels you can get them in a week or two after order and with the decorative PVC panels you’ll get them in 2 to 3 weeks.
While you can pick up the tile at the store at any time – the actual time to do a tile shower (averaging 3 to 4 work days) slows down production. What we usually suggest for contractors (or DIY owners) is to order the panels before you begin the job. That way your time on the project site is reduced – since the wall panels will install in much less time than tile. Today, with advances in products like the ‘no-tile, tile shower’ laminated units, an owner can also get the look of tile without needing to use their tile scrub brush ever again – so that’s a good for them.
While I’m sorry many of these panels (like the laminate units) are not available at a big box store, I’m also glad about that. As a specialty wall panel supplier, this gives us the opportunity to talk to contractors or DIY’ers about the right techniques to put them in. And as my Dad used to say, “A good product poorly installed = a bad product.”
Thanks for your comments and expressing the need to get projects done right now. I’m sure your customers appreciate your sense of urgency to get the job done! Mike
Jennifer Gould
Reason 6 – they’re not easily accessible to my remodel. You write this article yet dont know a home’s most used room in the house. I get 4 days max for bath redo. Can pick up tile the night before at a big box store. Until it’s easy and fast as that, no need to waste time writing an article.
Let me know when you do. Working on a bath right now. Hear from you tomorrow?
Mike Foti
Cecilia – call us at 877-668-5888 and we’d be glad to help you with the specifics of your order. Mike
Cecilia Guzman
How can a just order the wall panels need 34×48 x34 three walls with the molding
Mike Foti
Vickie – our closest wall panel dealer is 1 hour and 15 minutes away (right now) – we’re looking to add dealers in your area. However, if this isn’t close enough to be practical we can wholesale our shower and tub wall panels directly to you. Would this be helpful? Feel free to call and we can talk specifically about your project. Mike – 877-668-5888
Vickie Manke
Do you have a dealer in Madison or Janesville Wisconsin? We live in RV Park Model…would these withstand cold temps?
Mike Foti
Jamie – some of the shower wall panels are approved for steam rooms and some are not. The PVC composite and high gloss acrylic will work for steam rooms. We would be happy to get you samples (and/or answer more of your questions). Feel free to call us at 877-668-5888 or fill out the form on the product pages for these items. I’ll include some links below – Mike
https://innovatebuildingsolutions.com/products/bathrooms/diy-interior-shower-tub-wall-panels
https://innovatebuildingsolutions.com/products/bathrooms/high-gloss-acrylic-wall-panels
Jamie Williams
I’m interested in this for one or more baths in DFW area. Are they appropriate for a steam shower wall?
How to get samples?
Are these available now?
Thank you!
Mike Foti
Rosemary – we have a dealer in Austin Texas, but would love to add one in Houston as well. Since our systems (especially our laminate wall panels) are not tough to install we can work with your contractor to get them started and maybe they will be our next dealer. We can also wholesale directly to you our wall panels. Please let me – or a member of my team – know how we can assist you next. Feel free to call 877-668-5888. Mike
Rosemary Abramson
Could you please recommend contractors in the Houston, Texas area that are skilled at this type of bathroom wall panel installation?
Mike Foti
Lindsay – thanks for your nice comments. I would love to connect with your Kitchen and Bath Supply house since we’re in the process of creating a nationwide dealer network with the laminated wall panel line. Give me a call and let’s talk about how I can connect with your friend. Mike
Lindsay Sink
Hey Mike,
I have been following you and your great advice for years as my wife and I, both retired, could remodel our outdated bathroom. The laminated shower wall systems is very, very intriguing and more than interesting. I have a fairly close relationship with a an old school building supply house in my town that is focusing on Kitchen and Bath. How would I go about introducing your product to them as you appear to be the primary distributor? I would welcome your input if you are interested in finding a potential dealer. Lexington, NC.
Mike Foti
Joan – while we don’t have a dealer set up yet in Palm Beach, we can wholesale these panels directly to you. I will plan to email you about this as well. Feel free to call us at 877-668-5888. Mike
Joan
Do you have a distributor in the palm Beach area? Our old shower has leaked water behind the tiles and we must do something quickly! These walls sound perfect.
Mike Foti
Mark – feel free to give us a call and we can talk about the best way to get the wall panels to you. The best number to reach us at is 877-668-5888. Mike
mark Dal Bello
how do i buy this and get more info and maybe a dealer in canada. regards mark
Mike Foti
Jim – if you choose the right wall panel system (especially the laminate ones which are only 2′ x 8′ in size) the installation of these panels is very straightforward. I would recommend trying Home Advisors or your Local Angie’s List to find reputable (and in some cases smaller) contractors. Call me to talk more about this – 877-668-5888. Mike
Jim Cabernoch
Sirs-
We’re still interested in your shower wall systems, but are having no luck in finding willing contractors in our area. Can you help? Have any contacts in our local (LA) area that we could talk to?
We’d appreciate the help.
Thanks,
Jim