6 Types of Bathroom Wall Panels
Bathroom wall panels are large, flat sheets which are made from various materials such as stones, glasses, plastic, PVC, Acrylic, vinyl MDF and wood to cover and protect bathroom walls. Bathroom wall panels should be water resistant to protect the bathroom structure from water. The advantages of bathroom wall panels are easy to install, low maintenance, mold and mildew resistant, cost-effective, durable, easy to clean and quick to replace or update. Below 6 types wall panels are highly recommended for the bathroom walls.
6 Types of bathroom wall panels
- Acrylic wall panels
- PVC wall panels
- Vinyl wall panels
- Plastic wall panels
- Laminate wall panels
- MDF wall panels
These bathroom wall panels should be covered and sealed to protect them from water splashes, and extreme humidity. Else these bathroom wall panels can subjected to warping, swelling, mold and mildew growing, paint peeling, decolorization, staining or cracking over time. Bathroom wall panels should be protected and below 6 types of bathroom wall panels should be used.
What are the 6 types of bathroom wall panels?
These are the 6 types of bathroom wall panels
- Acrylic wall panels
- PVC wall panels
- Vinyl wall panels
- Plastic wall panels
- Laminate wall panels
- MDF wall panels
1. Acrylic wall panels
Acrylic wall panels are made from high-quality acrylic sheets. Acrylic wall panels are highly water-resistant, effectively preventing liquid water and humidity from penetrating, making them ideal for wet environments and offering a sleek and modern option for bathroom walls.
Acrylic wall panels provide moderate insulation, and it helps to maintain a consistent bathroom temperature. These panels stand up well to environmental exposure, resisting damage from rain, humidity, snow, and sunlight without yellowing or warping.
Acrylic wall panels should clean every few weeks to prevent soap scum and mildew buildup. When these wall panels maintain well they can withstand for 10 to 15 years in the bathroom. Acrylic wall panels have a glossy finish and structural integrity. Hence these wall panels are durable, easy to maintain, higher aesthetic appeal. These properties make acrylic panels a popular choice for modern bathroom designs.
2. PVC wall panels
PVC wall panels are made from polyvinyl chloride. PVC wall panels are a practical and cost-effective choice for bathroom walls. PVC wall panels offer excellent water resistance, effectively blocking liquid water and humidity, which makes them ideal for damp environments such as bathrooms.
PVC wall panels provide higher insulation properties. It helps to maintain a comfortable bathroom temperature. PVC wall panels are resistant to environmental factors like rain, snow, humidity, and sunlight without fading, cracking, or warping.
PVC wall panels do not require continuous maintenance. But it should wipe every few months to prevent mold growth on the panels. PVC wall panels can last 20 to 30 years. PVC wall panels are easy to install, easy to maintain, less water damage, less physical damage, higher aesthetic view compared to other types of bathroom wall panels.
3. Vinyl wall panels
Vinyl wall panels are made from durable PVC. Vinyl wall panels provide a robust and water-resistant solution for bathroom walls. These panels are highly resistant to liquid water and humidity. Hence vinyl panels are suitable for high-moisture areas like wet bathrooms.
Vinyl wall panels offer moderate insulation, which helps maintain a stable temperature in the bathroom. Vinyl panels are resistant to water and it can withstand in higher humidity environments such as rain and snow conditions. Vinyl wall panels can be used even in higher sunlight without significant degradation, such as fading or warping.
Vinyl bathroom wall panels can withstand about 40-50 years when it is properly cleaned and maintained.
4. Plastic wall panels
Plastic wall panels are made from plastic polymers. Plastic wall panels are a versatile and cost-effective option for bathroom walls. Plastic wall panels are highly resistant to water, and humidity. They effectively block the water and humidity in the bathroom by preventing seeping and damping to other materials. Hence plastic bathroom wall panels can be used for extreme humidity bathrooms with less ventilation.
Plastic wall panels provide as limited insulation. But it does not significantly affect the bathroom temperature regulations. These plastic wall panels can be used in rain, snow, and proper sunlight environments without warping or degrading quickly. Plastic wall panels should be maintained properly to avoid mold and mildew growth on the surfaces. These wall panels can withstand about 15-20 years. PLastic bathroom wall panels are durable, easy to use, less maintenance, cost-effective and versatile bathroom wall panel.
5. Laminate wall panels
Laminate wall panels are made from layers of paper or fabric impregnated with resin and bonded to a substrate like MDF or plywood. Laminate wall panels provide a stylish and functional option for bathroom walls. Laminated wall panels consists of a decorative top layer with various materials, including wood, stone, or tile.
Laminate wall panels provide a smooth surface, which is easy to clean due to bathroom residues. Laminate bathroom walls are moderately resistant to water, effectively handling occasional splashes and humidity. But laminate wall panels are not withstand prolonged exposure to liquid water as well as other wall panels like PVC, Plastic, Acrylic and Vinyl.
Laminate panels provide limited insulation. These panels can minor damage from rain and sunlight. Also when the laminate wall panels are exposed to prolonged excessive moisture or direct sunlight can cause fading or peeling. Those panels should be cleaned regularly to prevent mold mildew growth, fading and peeling. But it can withstand 10-15 years with proper maintenance.
6. MDF wall panels
MDF wall panels are made from medium-density fiberboard. MDF wall panels are composed of wood fibers bonded with resin, which gives them a uniform texture and easy-to-paint finish in the bathroom. MDF panels are not inherently water-resistant; they can absorb moisture from liquid water and high humidity.
MDF wall panels can be swelling, and warping, due to higher humidity due to exposure to higher humidity. Hence MDF wall panel should be sealed properly to prevent water damage when it is used in the bathroom. MDF wall panels provide a minimal insulation capability. When MDF wall panels are exposed to higher humidity and sunlight board can deteriorate or lose the finishing surface. Hence MDF boards should be sealed and protected properly while using them in the bathroom.
What are the Water Damages in Bathroom Wall Panels?
These are the sever water damages in the bathroom wall panels.
- Warping and swelling the bathroom wall panels: Bathroom wall panels tend to warp due to direct water splashes, high humidity, or leaks in the bathroom. It can cause to warp and swell of the wall panels and lead to mold and mildew growth. This causes increased health issues, paint peeling, discolouration, and stain marks on the bathroom wall panels.
- Mold growth in the bathroom wall panels: Mold growth on bathroom wall panels typically results from continuous exposure to moisture and poor ventilation. Mold can grow rapidly on organic materials like wood, and MDF, or even on the dust and debris that collect on non-organic surfaces. Mold not only damages structure but also increases health risks such as allergies and asthma.
- Paint peeling in the bathroom wall panels: Bathroom wall panels can peel due to exposure to moisture over time. When the bathroom is constantly exposure to water, whether from splashes, steam, or leaks can weaken the adhesive or finishes. It causes to peel the surface over time. Prolonged bathroom wall peeling causes to severe water damage like swelling, warping, or mold growth.
- Decolorization and stain marks on the bathroom wall panels: Discoloration and stain marks occur on the bathroom wall panels due to prolonged exposure to moisture, humidity, or direct water contact. Water can seep into the surface of the panels, leading to fading, staining, or uneven color changes on the bathroom wall panels. The most damaged bathroom wall materials are wood, MDF, or laminate wood. As well as non-organic materials like vinyl or plastic, discolouration may result from mineral deposits in the water or from chemical reactions between the moisture and the panel material.
- Cracking in bathroom wall panels: The bathroom wall can crack due to moisture-related stress combined with temperature fluctuations. When water infiltrates the panels, especially in materials like wood, MDF, or laminate, it causes the material to expand. As the moisture dries out, the material contracts. It creates internal stress that eventually leads to cracks on the bathroom walls.
How to Reduce Water Damages in Bathroom Wall Panels?
These 7 ways to help to reduce water damage in the bathroom wall panels.
- Use water-resistant bathroom wall panels
- Ensure proper sealing around edges and seams on the wall panels.
- Install an effective ventilation system to reduce humidity in the bathroom
- Regularly clean and dry the bathroom wall panels to prevent moisture buildup.
- Apply protective coatings to add an extra layer of protection on the bathroom wall panels
- Fix any leaks or plumbing issues in the bathroom immediately.
- Maintain consistent bathroom temperature to minimize stress on materials.
Read more: How to Waterproof Bathroom Walls?
What are the Waterproof Bathroom Wall Panels?
These are the waterproof bathroom wall panels
- Glass wall panels
- Tile wall panels
- Stone wall panels
- Marble wall panels
- Fiberglass wall panels
- PVC wall panels