Should you choose tiles or shower panels for your bathroom? We’ve spoken to three people who made the decision to use shower panels rather than tiles in their bathroom renovations.
Why a Property Expert Chose Shower Panels Over Tiles
Property expert Hope Allsuch is no stranger to completely renovating rundown – even derelict – bathrooms. Responsible for helping buyers and sellers transform properties, Hope’s expertise is understanding what makes a home sell or let above market value.
This starts with Hope’s talent for recognising what makes a property stand out, thanks to her keen eye for interior design and styling.
“I sell a lot of old houses and properties that need work doing to them, and I always use panels because they’re great to use and so much easier and cheaper to install,” she explains.
Bathroom renovations are costly and can be a long process, and this is the main reason Hope uses panelling in her projects. Seen as one of the biggest renovations for people searching for a new home, installing a new bathroom increases the chances of helping a property find its new resident quicker.
“A home with a bathroom in need of renovation may limit your pool of potential buyers due to the extra costs they would incur to get the bathroom up to standard, and could potentially deter investors who are looking for a turnkey investment,” explains Auction Department Manager, Louise McMorran.
Installing Shower Panels Over Existing Tiles
Renovations are costly and are a contributing factor in why many people opt for more traditional styles. The affordability of shower panels breaks this barrier and helps facilitate creative freedom. Bold patterns, primary colours, dramatic tiles—shower panels can inject new life into a bathroom, whether you’re planning a full renovation or simply want to add an eye-catching feature wall.
Tracey, better known as Fray, decided to install a feature wall using beige marble shower panels in her bathroom.
“We already had tiles on the wall that were very old, and I knew they’d be a problem getting them off the wall. I knew that panels could be put straight on top,” she said.
The Pergamon-style shower panels were installed directly over the existing white tiles, which had been in place for over 20 years. The rest of the room was painted in a muddy red to create a Moroccan-style aesthetic.
The Convenience of Grout-Free Shower Panels
A popular reason people choose shower panels over tiles is that they require no grout, which makes them easy to maintain. Rather than scrubbing away mould or needing to regrout, shower panels can simply be wiped down with warm, soapy water.
This convenience is why home and DIY influencer Rebecca chose marble panels for her stepdaughter’s ensuite, as she wanted something “that would look stylish but be easy for her to maintain.”
What are the benefits of shower panels?
There are many benefits of shower panels and reasons to choose them over tiles:
• Shower panels don’t require any grout (no more scrubbing mould!)
• They can be fitted directly over existing surfaces
• They’re easy to maintain and can be cleaned by wiping them down with a sponge and soapy water
• They’re cheaper than most tiles and are available in a variety of styles, patterns, and colours (even tile effect)
The choice between shower panels and tiles ultimately comes down to personal preference. However, many people opt for shower panels because they offer a more affordable, versatile, and low-maintenance alternative.
Shower panels are available in a variety of styles, including tile-effect, marble, patterns, and bold primary colours—making them a versatile and budget-friendly option for creating your dream bathroom.
