Panels for the bathroom: features, varieties and selection tips

Those who do not want to make a lengthy and expensive repair in the bathroom with tiles can turn their attention to this type of lining, such as panels. Different types of materials are involved in their production, they determine the final cost and appearance of the product.

The bathroom is extremely demanding on the facing material. In conditions of high humidity, not every product can last long. therefore the main feature of the panels will be their waterproof properties. The second feature is the size of the products, which are significantly superior to ceramic tiles. For example, rack panels can reach almost six meter length.

Large sizes make installation easier, so they are often used in public buildings with large spaces. The third feature includes a seamless installation. Moisture does not penetrate the seams and does not cause mold and mildew.

The panels are made from different materials. No one doubts that glass and plastic do not pass water. And what about the panels of chipboard, fiberboard, MDF? Feature of these products intended for places with high humidity are special components and bonding agents that add to particle board. An important role is played by the lamination of the surfaces of the panels.

Panels for the bathroom are increasingly gaining popularity. To please the buyer, the industry has mastered the production of these products from many materials.It would be right to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each option separately, which we will do in the future, but for now we’ll try to figure it out, why panels are generally attractive and for what they can be preferred to other finishing materials:

• they are easy to install and handle;
• they look great;
• have waterproof and heat-insulating characteristics;
• many of them are shockproof, endowed with high strength;
• differ in a wide variety of materials, shapes, textures and color palette;
• have a moderate cost, which distinguishes them from ceramic tiles;
• behind the slats you can hide the electrical wiring and pipes;
• the damaged panel can be easily dismantled and replaced with a new one.

It would be more correct to judge the shortcomings, considering each material separately, for example, some types of plastic can cause mechanical damage, and wood products are afraid of moisture.

The bathroom is the dampest room in the apartment. Water and hot vapors become a big test for facing materials. If the process of destruction of the finish is started, in conditions of high humidity it will proceed at an accelerated pace. There are a number of requirements that wall panels must meet:

1. have increased moisture resistance;
2. be resistant to temperature extremes;
3. respond well to household chemicals;
4. a big plus if the material will contain antifungal and antimicrobial additives;
5. For a stable appearance, the panels need a steady color that does not fade from time and hot steam.

The noticeable difference between these facing materials is 4 points:

1. difference in product area;
2. most panels are cheaper than ceramics;
3. panel installation is faster and easier tile;
4. the tile is superior in weight to its opponent.

To begin with, what unites them:

• both materials are moisture resistant;
• respond well to household chemicals and are easy to clean;
• have a large selection of colors and patterns.

There are many differences between ceramic tiles and PVC panels.

• The strength of the tile is significantly superior to plastic, which affects its durability.
• PVC can be installed on the side walls, ceiling, make ledges and niches. It is easy to hide pipes and wiring with this material. Tiles are faced only with walls and floor.
• Locks at the joints of plastic panels allow you to mount them without gaps, which completely eliminates moisture. Tiles are laid out with seams. If they are processed in violation of the technology, water may enter the lining and lead to the growth of bacteria.
• For the installation of tiles, the walls are perfectly aligned. The panels do not require such preparation, they are installed on a previously displayed frame.
• Working with tiles is more time-consuming, dirty and requires skills. Installation of PVC panels can be done independently. There is almost no dirt left after it.
• Finishing a bathroom with plastic panels will be much cheaper than using tiles, but the operation of such a room will be less durable.
• Sand and clay are involved in the production of ceramics, it is referred to as environmentally friendly materials. Plastic can not boast of naturalness.

A large selection of panels for the bathroom helps to solve different problems: to mask plumbing pipes, to make repairs quickly and inexpensively, or to create an original design that you will not find in any of your friends.To understand the abundance of panels offered by manufacturers, we will consider all their types in turn. First, select 3 large groups: typesetting rack, typesetting tile and sheet panels.

Most often they are installed on ceilings, but sometimes they are also lined with walls. Such panels do not let water through, have good soundproof, fireproof and frost-resistant properties. The rack background is perfectly highlighted by built-in lights. Panels from stacked rails are presented in different sizes, but the most popular are strips 10 cm wide and 3 to 4 meters long, although items up to 5.9 meters can be found on sale.

The industry produces plastic, aluminum and metal products with a spray. The edges of the rails, bent in a special way, form a docking lock, thanks to which you can independently, easily and quickly carry out installation work even on a curved wall. When installing a rack ceiling, it should be remembered that the height of the room will decrease to 15 cm.

Tile panels are square or rectangular, they do not have standard sizes. Numerous collections may have their own parameters. In appearance, tile panels are difficult to distinguish from real tiles; they preserve the beauty of ceramics and its water-repellent properties, but they are much easier to assemble and cheaper. Products do not have locks, therefore, when working with this material, you need to properly track joints.

They are made of different types of material - plastic, MDF, chipboard, have water-repellent properties, a wide selection of textures, patterns and colors, are presented in both matte and glossy designs. Sheet panels perfectly imitate various materials - ceramics, wood, stone, mosaic.

Standard sizes are 122x244 cm, but there are other numerical indicators. Large parameters allow quick installation, especially for owners of spacious bathrooms. The absence of docking locks implies sealing joints with moldings or special strips.

Plastic panels are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). With the help of modern technologies, petroleum products and salt elements are transformed into a heavy-duty polymer, and special additives provide an abundance of color. The resulting material is not toxic, it is moisture resistant, so with it you can perfectly finish the bathroom.

Panels differ not only in color and pattern, they can be suture and seamless, have a matte or glossy surface, the image itself is applied by film or printing method.

Plastic cladding is popular due to the wide variety of colors and patterns. It is easy to install and they are inexpensive. Those who decide to make budget repairs in their bathroom at an accelerated pace will choose plastic sheet panels. The positive properties of the material include good thermal insulation and soundproof qualities. Installation is carried out in several ways.

• Pre-install the frame on which the plastic panels are mounted. This method will help to obtain additional sound insulation, hide gross wall differences, hide communications.
• The second method involves fixing the panels directly to the wall. It is important that their surface is dry, clean and without noticeable differences. All small roughnesses and irregularities are easily hidden behind a plastic layer.

Finely dispersed dry chips are involved in the production of MDF. It is pressed under high pressure using high temperature. The material is much denser than fiberboard. The polymer coating on top of the pattern allows the use of MDF panels in rooms with high humidity, even in showers, as evidenced by the image of a drop on their packaging.

Such material, in addition to imitating wood, may look like ceramic tiles, marble, onyx and other surfaces. It is so durable that hanging furniture can be mounted on it. MDF panels meet all the requirements that are installed for bathrooms: they are moisture resistant, unpretentious in care, dampen sound, retain heat. They are installed as easily as PVC on walls with any irregularities.

It is better to grease all seams with transparent sealant, it will enhance the water-repellent properties of the lining. Under the frame, you can hide the wiring and pipes, but it should be remembered that part of the area will be lost due to the massiveness of the finishing material.

Wood-fiber boards are inferior in density to the previous material, although they are produced using the same technology. The difference lies in the content of larger fractions of wood fibers in them. This affects moisture resistance. When in direct contact with water, panels may swell over time. Special impregnations help to increase resistance to moisture. Especially recommended themselves products with the addition of bitumen. They are called hardboard panels. They are covered with a laminating layer to protect the material from water and mechanical damage.

Panels made of this material are vulnerable to liquid ingress, since it contains even larger fragments of wood - shavings, sawdust, chips. To make this product moisture resistant, binder mixtures are used for its production, and the surface is laminated. Particleboard can be used in large bathrooms, where it is possible to place them at a distance from sources of water and hot fumes. In the working area, it is better to install a more moisture-resistant material.

Glass panels give originality to the interior of the bathroom. They are used infrequently in design. They are characteristic for styles. fusion, hi-tech, techno, minimalism, modern. Despite the fragility of the material, with a careful attitude, it will last a long time, since the glass does not actually wear out. Such panels due to the rarity of use can be called unique. They work to expand the space and look spectacular. Behind opaque and color cloths with success it is possible to hide plumbing pipes.

The disadvantages of glass panels include their fragility, high weight, the risk of injury in case of their destruction, the complexity of the installation and high cost. Glass needs frequent maintenance, since stains and stains remain on its surface even from ordinary water.

Innovative material for surface coating is modern. It has a variety of colors. Acrylic in terms of price indicators, it surpassed PVC, MDF and even ceramic tiles. But this is his only drawback. It has incredible strength, shock and abrasion resistance. He is not afraid of ultraviolet and problems with flooding.

Mosaic panels can wonderfully decorate the interior. Most often they are presented in an abstract version, but may also contain a plot drawing, which is skillfully used by designers.The industry presents a large selection of their color palette. The mosaic is beautiful, environmentally friendly, durable, installing such panels is not difficult.

The product consists of lightweight expanded clay coated with a fiberglass mesh. Ideal for the bathroom, as they have moisture repellent properties and resistance to temperature extremes. Externally, the aquapanel looks great, it is elastic, bends well, it is easy to care for. Fasten the product to the frame with the help of special glue and screws.

Facing panels are capable of not only performing the functions assigned to them - to protect the walls and ceiling from moisture and hot fumes. They can create a magnificent interior that meets different styles. Panels have all the features for this.

• Rack panels made under rough wood, great for style country.

• Glass cladding meets ideas minimalism or hi-tech.

• Style bathroom modern drawn up with the participation of slatted panels imitating wood.

• Panels in the style bathroom provence.

• Panels in the form of mosaic inserts in Moroccan style.

When choosing between different types of panel products, you need to decide for yourself what you specifically want from the cladding and what budget you are counting on.

If you need quick and low-cost repairs - the best choice, according to reviews, will be PVC panels. They are mounted independently, without helpers, they are easily cut with a knife and almost do not leave debris. But it is worth paying attention to higher class models, in which the thickness is at least 7-8 mm, then it will be possible to operate the bathroom with them without special care.

If the budget is unlimited and the task is to surprise friends, you can prefer glass or aqua panels. An artistic mosaic is also suitable.

Acrylic panels are chosen as a modern, strong and durable material.

When preference is given to a specific option, you should pay attention to the quality of the goods. Be sure to inspect the product from the end - it must have a clear, even edge, without bends and deformations. Then you need to pay attention to the locks - if they begin to break when bent, then the product is not reliable.

The unpleasant odor from plastic panels speak of the use of low-quality material in their manufacture. The same thing happens with laminated particleboard products. A pungent odor gives out the presence of toxic impregnations. Negative manifestations will increase with increasing ambient temperature, which often occurs in a bathroom. In this case, you can ask the seller certificate for products in which harmful additives in its composition should be noted.

Sometimes it’s hard to understand which wall panels are best for the bathroom: vinyl, decorative, sliding glass or false panels. Those who doubt their choice can view a selection of beautiful interiors based on waterproof panels.

• Unusual stylish bathroom can be made of simple plastic panels.

• Japanese-style interior panels created an artistic image throughout the wall.

• The combination of mosaic and mirror panels in the bathroom.

• Mosaic monophonic facing.

• With the help of 3D drawing, a collection was created as if from the future.

• Plastic imitating artificial stone.

• Hardboard panels. Panels for the bathroom will help to design any design in it and become a reliable, durable decoration of the room.

In the video you will learn the secrets of choosing PVC panels for the bathroom.