So, when it comes to picking your bathroom’s shower wall, you must be very considerate about the built quality, design, cost, and anything that is thinkable. It’s not surprising since we all want to go for the finest possible picks within the budget.
However, probably the first and most important matter that takes the biggest space in this overall decision-making diagram is the material used for the upcoming shower wall. And so, looking at the best material to use for shower walls is pretty appreciable.
In Terms of Versatility, Variety, Budget, & Luxury
The Best Materials to Use for Shower Walls
Starting from water prevention, sturdiness, and effective design to customizable looks, color range, and size illusion, there are a lot of things that can make a certain material called the best out of all. But is it possible to get everything in one perfect material option? Perhaps not!
You want to prioritize what comes first in your ideal material choosing list. And depending on that, you’ll be able to choose a specific material that covers the most area of your priority list.
Let’s know about some best materials.
Fiberglass & Acrylic – Best for Versatility & Efficiency
Do you want that specific material for your shower built to provide efficiency, budget-friendliness, and a nice outcome? Well, you may get interested in acrylic and prefabricated fiberglass shower units. These are usually available with one or more units when shipped to your house. The factory-made molds are noticeable in these types of shower wall materials.
You can spend a few hours to easily get them installed. Usually, it takes pretty much more than a day to install tile in shower walls. Not to forget the mess they create in the shower space.
The up-to-date design does feel simple but stunning. The minimalist would love this material and also usually it’s available with common color shades. You can try painting them to match your existing bathroom scheme.
Acrylic looks pretty similar to fiberglass since they have quite the same properties. However, acrylic is better at scratch resistance and shows a fantastic gloss that fiberglass lacks. The easy to fade fiberglass is then again better at saving your bucks since these are pretty inexpensive. However, if you promise to maintain it right, fiberglass is very good at lasting long just like acrylic.
Now talking about the bad terms, both of these materials can get yellow pretty easily. Also, they age relatively quickly. You can always get the cracks and holes treated. However, they won’t disappear dramatically.
Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles – Best for Unique & Customizable Design
Dear imagination rich and conceptual folks out there, do you want to create something unique with the shower wall? Well, then ceramic and porcelain tiles are two shower wall material ideas you want to use. These are fantastic to use for any bathroom that needs something suitable for matching preexisting design scheme.
You can expect to have a huge range of size, color, and texture array with these. And to get that one-of-a-kind design, the materials are mixable and match-able amazingly. Also, it is suitable for serving those who want simplistic design, not anything customizable. In short, it works for both ends of the poll.
These inexpensive shower wall options will also help you to fight water and staining. These are super simple to keep clean. You, however, have to be on a routine to keep the grout of tiles clean, so that mildew does not build up.
The repairs are also less hassling with these materials. Ceramic and porcelain are quite familiar in terms of many things. But also, they have their own distinctive sides.
For denser, better water-resistant, and durability, you can opt for a bit more expensive porcelain. While the cheaper ceramic is quite simple in terms of cutting. Both of these materials can cause a huge mess while installation. However, with some rudimentary laying tile skills, you can perform DIY with these materials.
Glass Tiles – Best to Make Smaller Bathroom Spacious
Glass tiles are not very common as shower wall material. However, there are many benefits related to this component for shower walls. First of all, there’s a pretty wide range available when it comes to size and color. Quite similar to ceramic and porcelain tiles in this case.
Also, one unique benefit that glass tiles can provide is making small spaces look bigger. How does it do that? Well, the reflection of glass tiles does the trick. It makes a small shower look larger this way. The translucent feature of glass tiles helps to add extra depth to the existing color.
Not to forget, these tiles are also super comfortable to clean and take pretty little time to do so. You can use any ordinary glass cleaner for this task and soft fabric to wipe. But then again, the material is pretty poor at hiding soap scum.
Build-ups are also very obvious in this material’s wall. So, scratches and nicks are going to show. The slipperiness might be another bad point that would make any house with kids or aged folks not suitable for this material to pick.
The pricing is also not very low and it needs professional installation. Some people go for using glass as an accent to keep looks alive while lessening the cost.
Stone Tiles – Best for Luxurious Feel
If you are wondering, what is the best material for bathroom walls that feels super luxurious and gives the rich vibe to any space, then I’m probably going to say, stone tiles. The sense of luxury a proper natural stone tile can add is quite dynamic.
The bathroom deco that already lives with natural materials such as brass or stone will work well with this component. You can have both glossy or matte finish with the material. If you want to get that smooth surface but textural interesting look, then go for rougher stones. While the sleeker and more up-to-date look demands smooth stone tiles.
Of course, because the porousness exists with stone tiles, you will deal with water, soap, and mineral absorbance by using these. Usually, these come with a sealer to prevent such incidents but these sealants can easily wear off. So, resealing them often is a maintenance demand you cannot ignore.
You can go for marble if an opulent feel is what you’re looking for. But be ready for some staining. The naturally layered structure of slate might make it difficult to install, but these are super durable. And, travertine is a more scratch and stain-friendly stone and is superior in terms of rich color and easy cutting.
The aesthetic stone material will cost more but will also be more durable as well.
Helpful Notes To Keep In Mind
Now depending on the type of assembly you can get for shower wall units, here’re some pointers that could be helpful:
The first type is multiple-part shower kits that come with a set of components for installation. The outcome is usually smooth and watertight with the surface. A shower pan, bathtub, and one or two wall pieces usually come with this option. Sometimes doors are also included. You want to try this if DIY is what you’ll be going for.
The second bundle includes only shower wall pieces and no pan or bathtub is there. These are straightforward and also extremely simple to put together.
Finally, the one-piece units come with fewer joints. These are quite compromised in terms of mildew and mold. However, portability gets full marks here. Usually for new construction, the one-piece kits are preferable. You need professional help with installation here.
Conclusion
And your relaxing shower can become even more comfortable when you take the effort of choosing the right material for walls. I hope you have no confusion about the best material to use for shower walls that work perfectly for your space.
Spending on an eye-catchy material by investing a bit more is recommended since looks do matter for your overall deco. But also, the budget can be reduced if you want to opt for a simple and minimalism approved choice when it comes to shower wall material.
Good Luck on Finding the Right Beauty for Your Bathroom!
