What Is The Best Material For Shower Walls?

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So, you want to renovate your bathroom but you’re not sure which material is right for your shower walls? It’s a common dilemma because people aren’t really aware of what the key differences are between the most popular shower wall options.

We’re going to run through some of the most commonly used materials and talk about the benefits of each of them to provide you with any information you should have before choosing the material for your shower walls. Read on to find out more.

Stone Surface
Natural stone tiles appeal to many people because of their appearance and their general durability. Of course, there are many options out there from granite to marble and plenty in between. Because they’re natural, they have little quirks and imperfections, rather than the uniformity offered by other man-made materials. But this is part of their appeal since each surface is rather unique.

There is also a particular texture that comes with natural stone that you don’t get from more polished surfaces. Of course, you have to pay more of a premium if you want to have a stone surface installed, so it’s important to keep that in mind. Natural stone will require more maintenance – it usually has to be sealed at least once a year and the grout between the tiles creates a constant battle with mold and mildew.

Slabs of natural stone only require minimal grout in the corner seams. They are much easier to care for than tiles of natural stone.

Artificial Stone
There are other cheaper alternatives to natural stone if you want something at a lower price point. Artificial stone is one such example. It aims to replicate the appearance of a stone surface but uses less costly materials to do so. It’s a good way to achieve the finish you’re looking for a much lower budget.

One advantage of artificial stone is that there are a wide variety of styles available, so you should have no difficulty achieving the appearance you’re looking for even if you can’t afford to buy real stone. It’s lightweight and therefore not as durable as real stone, but that’s the trade-off that comes with the lower price.

Ceramic or Porcelain Tile
The main benefit associated with ceramic and porcelain tiles is their watertight nature. They’re also good at withstanding a lot of use and they produce a finish that looks very polished and clean. Not only that, but these types of shower wall tile come in just about every color of the rainbow, so the design possibilities are endless. If that’s the kind of aesthetic you’re aiming for, this is probably the best option for you.

Ceramic is the cheaper option out of these two; porcelain is denser and therefore more durable, so will cost you a little more. But that extra price might be worth paying because they will remain in place and undamaged for a very long time. Again, the grout between the tiles requires constant upkeep to avoid mold and mildew.

Glass Tiles
Glass tiles have definitely risen in popularity in recent times and this is mostly to do with the stylishness they can offer. They’re available in a very wide variety of colors and styles, allowing you to make your shower walls look precisely how you want them. It also creates a lighter appearance in your bathroom because glass reflects light well. Cleaning is also very easy, so the maintenance is easy. The only downside is that they can be somewhat difficult to install. Make sure to hire a professional installer.

Acrylic
Some manufacturers offer acrylic panels that look like tile or natural stone without requiring sealing or cleaning of grout. This option requires the least maintenance and retains it’s new look forever.

There are plenty of options to consider when it comes to finding the best material for your shower walls. Now you know a bit about each of the main options above and you should be able to get started on finding a material that works best for your Bay Area bathroom and shower.

[PongoXBongo]

Can you use something like an exterior paint directly on greenboard? Or make the entire surround out of the type of glass panels used on shower walls/doors?

[tiffanylam]

Very helpful and to the point thank you!