Introduction To PVC Wall Panels

Following advances in European extrusion technology over the past fifteen years, wall panels are now a very viable alternative to ceramic tiles in any bathroom or kitchen installation or in a refurbishment project. As the PVC wall panel range has matured, what was once a very limited offering in terms of style and choice has now expanded greatly to give consumers a huge amount of choice - what was once a niche product range has now become a large sector of the building materials industry worth millions of pounds. Below we take a look at the main reasons for this expansion and why PVC Panels have quickly become so popular.

PVC Panels - Low Prices

PVC panels are very competitively priced when compared to ceramic tiles, even before the heavily reduced installation times are taken into consideration. As with traditional tiles, prices do vary across ranges and between stockists but generally speaking, panel prices have reduced as demand has increased, with more and more merchants and bathroom centres competing for custom.

Wall Panels Are Easy to Install

Anyone competent in DIY can install PVC Panels, unlike ceramic tiling where more specialist skills are required. No special tools are needed, only a fine-toothed saw, a spirit level and either a drill driver or a silicon gun, depending upon what type of substrate the panels are to be fixed to - they can be either be screwed to battens or can be fixed directly to the wall (or even the old tiles if they are level) using a grab adhesive.

Hardwearing Material

PVC Panels are impervious to damage from hot water, steam, mould-forming bacteria and bathroom cleaning chemicals, internal cladding provides all the benefits offered by most PVC building products.

PVC Panels are Simple to Keep Clean

As PVC is a much warmer product than ceramics, the formation of condensation is greatly reduced when hot water comes into contact with the cladding surface, meaning that PVC Panels only require a wipe-down with soapy water occasionally. With no grout to discolour or degrade, the panels are essentially a maintenance-free product.

100% Waterproof

Correctly installed, PVC Panels are totally waterproof, providing 100% protection for the backing substrate. Whilst these panels are generally manufactured with a tongued and grooved design to allow for secret fixing, most providers recommend the provision of a bead of silicon sealant between each panel for added protection.

Choice of Panel Styles and Colours

Whether you are looking for marble wall panels, vibrant colours or stone effect panels, there is now a massive amount of options available for the design-conscious consumer. If you are unsure about your final decision most suppliers will post you a small sample to enable you to view the colours and patterns first hand.

A Quick Spring Clean for your Bathroom

Up until the introduction of PVC wall Panels, spring cleaning the bathroom meant the laborious process of grout removal and replacement had to be carried out - a time consuming and frustrating process that created both boredom and blisters! With PVC panels that can be installed straight over existing tiles, the look and feel of the bathroom can now be totally changed in a very short period of time.

Full Sheet Options for Shower Panels