Bathroom Wall Panel | Buying Guide
How to Buy Bathroom Wall Panels
PVC Bathroom Wall Panels have become one of the most popular wallcoverings for the bathroom or for any room in the house. Why the surge in popularity in recent years? The benefits are many but it often comes down to cost in both time and money.
PVC Cladding costs a lot less than tiles especially when you consider you have to ensure the wall is in good order and perfectly flat before tiling. Wall panels can go on near enough any solid surface. The time saving is even easier to state. You can apply wall panels quickly, ensure the wall surface is stable, apply adhesive to the rear of the panel and stick to the wall. There isnt that much more to do than that.
As a quick calculation look at tiling a 2 Metre by 2.4M high wall, the materials involved and the steps to take. Then compare that same wall using 8 PVC Wall Panels.
PVC Wall Panels – The Modern Wall Covering.
PVC Cladding has come a long way in recent years and is now available in a huge range of styles and finishes. It was traditionally viewed as the cost effective wall covering but the product is now so advanced it caught up with and in many cases passed tiles with regards to style and practicality.
Why use a Wall Panel instead of a Shower Panel?
There are no hard and fast rules, you can use a shower panel where you would typically use a wall panel but generally shower panels are used in the shower area and wall panels are used in both a shower area or general walls. We favour wall panels for areas where you would need multiple cuts using a 1M wide shower panel. 250mm panels are a lot easier to handle.
The New Wallpaper?
With more and more styles becoming available we noticed a shift in buying patterns. The bathroom wall panel was being used throughout the house – living room, kitchen, bedroom. Wall Panels are now widely seen as the modern wallpaper, easier to fit, hardwearing and countless styles to choose from.
PVC Wall Panel dimensions
PVC Wall Panels come in a variety of sizes but the most common length is 270cms and the two common depths are 5mm and 8mm.
You would typically purchase the panels in a pack of four, so four 250mm wall panels would give you 1 Metre of wall coverage. There are other widths available such as 400mm and 500mm but the most common width is 250mm.
The panels interlock with atonhue and groove joint and this offers a flush finish and waterproof join.
Are Wall Panels as waterproof as a Shower Panel?
Yes. All PVC panels share the common feature of being 100% waterproof regardless of dimensions.
5mm or 8mm?
A 5mm PVC panel is more suited to using on the ceiling as they can be vulnerable to damage. For using PVC panels on the wall we would recommend a 7 or 8mm panel, just that bit more robust.
How to measure for Bathroom Wall Panels
Measuring for wall panels is really straightforward. We are looking for height and width of the wall.
Why is the height important?
We need the height measurement to make sure the panel covers floor to ceiling ideally in a single panel. Most UK houses have a ceiling height below 270cms so with the exception of older houses you will be under 270cms.
The important dimension – the width
Measure the width of the wall, in our example graphic we have a window and the image below shows how we measure for a window. We break the wall into blocks and measure each block individually…you then calculate how many panels are needed in each block.
Now you have the width you can calculate number of panels required, luckily we have a guide to follow to help with this (below)
How are Bathroom Wall Panels so Strong?
PVC Wall Panels come in three common depths – 5, 7 and 8mm. Each has its own merits. They are all strong and built to withstand family life but the two larger depths are stronger than the 5mm.
How is a PVC Panel so strong? The internal ribs give the panel its strength and rigidity – the more ribs the greater the strength.
How to calculate number of PVC Wall Panels required
Calculating the number of panels required can often lead to confusion but there is a simple formula to use.
Width of Wall / Width of Panel
If we look at the graphic, for a 3 Metre wall we would divide 300cms by 25cms to give us a total of 12 panels required.
If the panel was 500mm we would require 6 panels.
Calculating when there is a window is straightforward, you take the measurements for each block and calculate number of panels for each respective block. If you look at blocks B and C we would use the offcuts from cutting below the window to fit the block above the window (C)
We have created a more comprehensive guide – please use the link below.
PVC Wall Panel Trims
PVC Wall Panel Trims add a key finishing touch to your wall panel installation. Are they necessary? Do I add them to my basket? Strictly speaking, no you do not need them but we would always recommend them. They are that key detail that makes a big difference to the overall quality of your panels. They offer waterproofing benefits (certainly cladseal and internal corner trims) and dress edges to give a crisp finish.
We have outlined the key trims you would consider below but to better understand trims for PVC cladding please read our comprehensive guide – link below.
Cladseal Trim
External Corner Trim
Internal Corner Trim
End Cap Trim
Quadrant Trim
Coving Trim
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 true the existing wall is.
How do you apply adhesive to a PVC Wall 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.
PVC Panel Delivery – More important than you may think
PVC Wall 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.
Can you use Wall Panels in the Kitchen?
PVC Wall Panels for the Kitchen
Can you use PVC Wall Panels in the kitchen? Its a resounding yes, wall panels have become increasingly popular in the kitchen due to their suitability for handling water, humidity and family traffic.
A big part of the recent boost in popularity is the ever expanding range of decors and patterns. European manufacturers such as Vox and Duma have incredible contemporary styles that offer the aesthetic appeal of tiles but with all the benefits of an easy to install and easy to clean PVC Panel.
Easy to Install, even EASIER to Clean!
A splashback, a feature wall or a full kitchen? PVC Panels are quick to install (see guide) and can quickly create a hygienic work area regardless of the existing wall covering. No lengthy flattening of the wall, no tile adhesive, no grout.
As for cleaning, its a wipe clean surface – no heavy detergents or scrubbing necessary.
What Tools & Accessories are required to fit PVC Wall Panels?
Where to buy Wall Panels
Glen Coulson
Glen is one of our expert bloggers in bathroom design, cladding and all things DIY. If he isn’t fitting PVC panels, he’s talking or writing about PVC Panels and really should get out more.
Read his posts for the latest coverage of style trends and easy to follow guides.