Shower Panel | Buying Guide
How to Buy Shower Panels
Shower Panels are the most popular bathroom panel at the moment and have been for some time. The benefits are obvious and we detail the many advantages in our guide below but perhaps the best way to look at shower panels is that they can transform a bathroom very quickly.
This is the wall covering that wont degrade over time, doesnt require maintenance and waterproofing is guaranteed – can you say that with tile and grout? More and more customers are taking the easy option with their bathroom upgrade and choosing shower panels.
The tough, easy to install and even easier to clean bathroom wall panel that can update your bathroom almost instantly.
Shower Panels – Why are they so popular?
Shower Panels can refer to either PVC Hollow Core panels or Solid Core panels. For this page we will focus on PVC Hollow Core Panels.
PVC Shower Panels are the most popular by a considerable margin. There are many reasons as to why but the most compelling reason is cost. A Shower Panel is the most cost effective waterproof wall covering available for your bathroom.
if you compare the cost of a shower panel to the cost of tiling your shower area it is a night and day difference. This cost difference not only applies to the panels and accessories but to the fitting cost as well.
This is a DIY level product so you can save on fitting charges and if you do engage the services of a fitter the fee will be smaller than that of fitting tiles.
We have outlined the key benefits to shower panels below and this will better explain their enduring popularity.
100% Waterproof
Easy to Fit
Easy to Clean
Tough & Durable
Fit over Tiles
Shower Panels or Wall Panels? What is the difference?
You can use any wall panel in the shower area but one of the main benefits of shower panels is their strength. Shower Panels come in 1 Metre width and a 10mm depth and it is this depth that gives them their strength and rigidity.
We traditionally avoided using 250mm wall panels in a shower area due to the risk of dinting the panel with an elbow strike, this risk is minimised with the newer generations of 250mm wall panels but the shower panel will always be the best option because of its impact resistance. Much stronger.
A shower panel is 2.4 Metres Long and 1 Metre wide so for most applications you will only require 2 or 3 shower panels.
You can of course use them throughout your bathroom or any room in the house, tough and require little to no maintenance.
Shower Panels or Wall Panels? What is the difference?
You can use any wall panel in the shower area but one of the main benefits of shower panels is their strength. Shower Panels come in 1 Metre width and a 10mm depth and it is this depth that gives them their strength and rigidity.
We traditionally avoided using 250mm wall panels in a shower area due to the risk of dinting the panel with an elbow strike, this risk is minimised with the newer generations of 250mm wall panels but the shower panel will always be the best option because of its impact resistance. Much stronger.
A shower panel is 2.4 Metres Long and 1 Metre wide so for most applications you will only require 2 or 3 shower panels.
You can of course use them throughout your bathroom or any room in the house, tough and require little to no maintenance.
Shower Panels – Before you Buy
There are a few items to consider when buying shower panels – How many? What finish? What will they cover? Shower tray or over bath?
How many shower panels?
Measure the length, width and height of the wall. Remember tongue & groove panels only fit at the sides, not top and bottom so any offcuts have to be full height to be of use.
What is the existing wall?
Will the shower panels go on brick or plasterboard or over existing tiles? This is important as it will determine the type of adhesive and method of fixing.
What style / colour of shower panel?
Will you go for a patterned decor or plain, traditional marble or the new marble designs? The style of the panel will play a big part in overall price and also consider a single colour / decor over a large area can have a vlosed in effect.
Shower Panel Trims
A very common question we field is do I need trims? The short answer is no but we would always recommend them.
Trims offer a finishing touch that makes all the difference to your installation. Trims cover ragged edges and gaps plus give a crisp finish to the end of the panel or between shower panel and ceiling.
Cladseal Trim
External Corner Trim
Internal Corner Trim
End Cap Trim
Quadrant Trim
Coving Trim
How to fit PVC Shower Panels?
Fitting Shower Panels is well within the reach of a keen DIYer. Fitting them yourself will represent a significant saving for your new bathroom.
Bathroom Fitter or DIY?
A bathroom fitter will be able to fit shower panels no problem at all and will be able to fit them a lot faster than they would tiles. However, a large part of the appeal of PVC Shower Panels is how easy they are to fit and their suitability for DIY enthusiasts.
I would recommend reading our fitting guide and assess whether you feel confident in the DIY route, an important point to remember is that all the panel suppliers will happily offer guidance throughout your project.
Shower Panels – How much Adhesive do I need?
When using an adhesive to fix your panels to the wall we tend to use a simple guideline – a solvent free adhesive such as PinkGrip SF for surfaces such as brick, masonry or plasterboard and a good quality silicone adhesive when fixing shower panels to a non porous surface such as tiles.
How much adhesive for a 250mm wall panel?
As a rule we recommend half a tube of adhesive, this may increase if the wall is irregular.
How much adhesive for a Shower Panel?
We recommend one and a half tubes of adhesive for a shower panel. Again, this isnt a hard rule as it will depend on how regular the existing wall is.
How do you apply adhesive to a shower panel?
Either dot and dab or a z pattern, it doesnt really matter just so long as you get an even covering and avoid high or low spots.
Shower Panels – What would you recommend for a typical installation?
The bath in the illustration is 1700mm x 700mm and the wall dimensions are 1800mm x 800mm. The bath height is 510mm and the ceiling height is 2400mm.
For this application you will require 4 shower panels. Two for the long wall, you can cut one down to 800mm wide or cut both down to 900mm so you have a central seam. For the two end walls we would use two panels cut to the 800mm width.
With regards height, if the wall is 2400mm and the bath height is 510mm, we add 10mm for a cladseal trim to give us a combined bath height of 520mm, subtract the 520mm from the 2400mm. The height of each of the four panels would be 1880mm. In this instance you can use the 520mm offcuts to create a matching bath panel.
Shower Panels – What would you recommend for a typical Shower Tray installation?
We will calculate number of panels and accessories required for a typical shower panel installation over a shower tray (we will assume 900mm x 900mm)
Shower Panels
You will require 2 x Shower Panels – remember you fit the shower screen / door to the panel.
Trims
You will require…
1 x Internal corner
1 x CladSeal
2 x End Cap Trim
Adhesive / Sealant
3 x Adhesive
1 x good quality silicone sealant
Shower Panel Delivery – More important than you may think
Shower Panels are incredibly strong and robust WHEN they are fitted to the wall. They are neither strong or robust when in transit. This is one of the largest parcels you can get delivered to a residential property and its not as straightforward as it should be.
Why is delivery problematic?
Its a 3 Metre parcel and the few couriers that do delivery do not like delivering them…at all. Damages are a big problem, both at the hubs and in transit.
How do you get panels delivered?
Try and choose a cladding supplier that delivers using their own vans and own drivers, it makes all the difference.
Any recommendations?
Read our guide on delivery, we have all the industry tips to ensure your panels arrive in good order.
What Tools & Accessories are required to fit PVC Wall Panels?
Where to buy Shower Panels
