Comparison guides
Tiled shower walls or waterproof panels
The short answer
Tiling gives design range and easy local repair; panels give speed and no grout to maintain. This is really a decision about long-term upkeep versus flexibility of appearance.
Questions to ask any fitter
Tiling allows one damaged tile to be replaced without touching the rest of the wall; a damaged panel usually means replacing the full sheet.
Questions we get asked
Do panels last as long as tiles?
Good-quality panel systems can last well, but their joints and seals are the weak point compared with a tiled and grouted wall.
Can panels be fitted over old tiles?
Sometimes, if the existing tiles are sound, flat and well bonded, though the wall build-up needs checking first.
The deciding factors
- 1
Panels are quicker to fit and have no grout lines to clean or re-seal, which matters in a household that won't keep on top of grout maintenance.
- 2
Tiling allows one damaged tile to be replaced without touching the rest of the wall; a damaged panel usually means replacing the full sheet.
- 3
Panel joints and edge trims are where quality is won or lost, cheap trims degrade and let water behind the panel over time.
Local help with tile or panel shower walls
We cover Gloucester, Cheltenham and the surrounding GL postcodes. Include your town or postcode and we can say straight away if it is in range.