Ceramic Tiles or Shower Panel

[jmn]

The Tiles in our shower are old and they and the grout have seen better days.

Are Shower Panels any good? They look as though they should be cheaper to install and easier to keep clean.

[PhilboSE]

I looked into this recently and the shower panels I liked actually cost more than cost of tiles + tiler. I decided I didn’t really like the look of the panels either.

[Actual]

Our tiled showers eventually failed along the grout lines.

The panel showers have stayed water tight.

Abacus M1 Series PVC Panel uses tongue and grove to interlock the panels.

To eliminate flex there needs to be a solid frame behind the shower panel especially behind the seal to the shower tray.

[Vanden Saab]

Check the warranty on the shower panels you buy, some are void if you cut them which rather defeats the object. With modern tiles being avaliable in such big sizes keeping them clean is easy. Our 1.8m x 1.8m wet room has only 6 tiles per wall.
I am biased as a tiler but from what I have seen there is little advantage with panels and some worrying drawbacks if not fitted right.

[Chicken Chaser]

We have full dark textured panels. Never aged, never leaked in 5 years. Really easy to wipe down and keep clean.

[Baldchap]

I've done several bathrooms and a kitchen with panels and countless tiling.

A niche in aqua panel is almost impossible unless you use tile edge profiles, as the proper edges have to click on in two dimensions and this is simply impossible for the last one.

I won't be tiling again. Far quicker and easier in aquaboard and a good finish. Easier to clean too.

[swanseaboydan]

Aqua panels are good and the designs now are so much better than they used to be

[Gone fishing]

We’ve gone panel, and half decent panels can be £80 or less. We also had the shower ceiling done in white as it was an alcove type shower.

We had tiles for years and generally half tanked the walls first etc which adds to the cost and invariably they eventually need attention. I suspect the panels will last until we want a design change.

[PRO5T]

I don’t care what anyone says, tiles will always, always look better than shower panels (all things being equal such as having a decent tiler and using both premium products).

But panels will always, always be easier to look after.

I’m a developer and bathroom installer and even I struggle to say which is better!

Honestly, if bathroom companies made matching tiles and shower panels everyone would fit tiles in the bathroom and panels in the shower and we’d all be happy but no one seems to offer it.

I’m doing my own house after xmas and I’m honestly thinking of shower panels but using a contrast in the shower so as to keep the easy to clean benefits but the premium feel of nice tiles in the rest of the room.