PVC Wall Panelling vs Traditional Tiles

Your bathroom is the one place where your day begins and ends. It offers you an escape, freedom to truly relax and unwind, and of course, groom yourself.

But designing or renovating a bathroom can be quite daunting and expensive.

No need to worry, though.

It is quite possible to achieve that “designer” look you adore with little work and for a far lower price.

How? Through PVC wall panelling.

Whether you want a traditional marble finish or the cosiness of natural wood, PVC wall panelling caters to every style and every home.

But what exactly is PVC wall panelling? Is PVC wall panelling a better option than traditional tiles? Should you opt for PVC wall panelling?

Find the answers to all your questions in this detailed guide on PVC wall panelling!

What Is PVC Wall Panelling?

PVC wall panels (Polyvinyl Chloride wall panels) are hollow-core materials mostly used to cover interior walls and ceilings, particularly for damp areas such as bathrooms.

1. Cost-effective Yet Trendy

If you’re accustomed to using tiles in your home, you may initially feel that they are a pocket-friendly solution.

But hear us out.

With traditional tiles, you’re much less likely to achieve your desired bathroom look. This is due to the robust nature of tiles that don’t have much room for trendier, imaginative designs or new variations.

As a result, you might end up replacing your tiles more quickly, which would increase the expense of your bathroom renovation in the long run.

This is not an issue with wall panels. You can discover the perfect fit for your bathroom because they come in various colours, styles, and designs.

Whether you desire a Premium Stone Gloss Look or a Sparkle Glossy Look, PVC panelling offers a wide range of options.

What’s more, PVC wall panels are more affordable if you consider the cost per square meter.

2. Completely Water-resistant

While tiles are still the most typical and traditional bathroom renovation material, PVC bathroom panels have gained ground as a chic substitute in recent years.

So, which one is the better option for your bathroom?

Tiles are typically installed in bathrooms because of their water resistance; however, this does not make them totally waterproof.

Yes, it’s true!

The grout in tiling can degrade over the years and enable water to soak through and trap debris, resulting in drainage problems, mold, and even mildew.

In short, PVC panelling is fully water-resistant, so you need not worry about moisture and nasty mold issues.

3. Lower Maintenance

With traditional tiling, you will need professional cleaning supplies and will frequently have to invest time in activities like plastering or mold removal.

On the contrary, wall panels are far simpler to clean and maintain than tiles, so you will probably get a lot of use and satisfaction from them over time.

This is because polyurethane covering in PVC wall panels gives them a smooth and uncluttered appearance, preventing grime build-up.

PVC panels also don’t attract dust, so they are ideal for spaces used by those with dust allergies.

If you still feel that your PVC panelled walls need cleaning, just use any diluted cleaning solution (or even water) with a cloth to clean them.

4. Lightweight And Durable

Another reason why you should go for PVC wall panels over traditional tiling is that they are lightweight.

You can also explore some extra slim panel options that are even easier to carry, handle and install even in the most compact of spaces.

However, just because they are lightweight, it does not mean they are not durable enough.

PVC is constructed from the most durable and robust materials. No other type of fitting gives the kind of durability that PVC wall panels do; they can last you years without bending or deforming.

Additionally, PVC panels are extremely resistant to fading from sunshine due to the non-yellowing compounds like titanium dioxide that are present in their chemical make-up.

5.  Easier To Install

Unless you are a tiling expert, installing traditional tiles typically requires the involvement of specialists, which in turn means investing more money and effort.

On the other hand, PVC wall panel installation is pretty basic (without any grout or mess) and takes roughly half the time.

In fact, even you can get the job done on your own. It isn’t too difficult to install and cut the panels to size, making it the perfect DIY project: quick and straightforward.

You don’t need to own specialized equipment or have polished skills.

All you need is a little guidance through a good PVC installation guide, and you’ll be good to go!

6.  Can Be Installed Over Existing Tiling

If you are worried about having to remove your tiles and incur extra costs to make room for new wall panels, we have some good news for you.

You can install PVC panels over existing tiles and on your bare wall.

It’s really not that difficult to place the wall panels over existing tiling.

The most crucial thing to keep in mind is that before installing the bathroom wall panels, you must precisely measure the tile area. Secondly, only apply a premium-quality sealant to the base of your panels once you’ve finished installing them.

Following these little tips and tricks can make all the difference between a wall panel that stands the test of time and one that develops problems later on.