Bathroom Wall Panels – Frequently Asked Questions

PVC bathroom wall panels are rigid plastic boards designed to cover bathroom walls, showers and wet room areas. They give you a smooth, waterproof surface without grout and are often quicker to install than tiles.

At Bathroom Panels Direct we specialise in PVC bathroom wall panels, wet wall panels and shower wall panels in marble effect, tile effect, white sparkle, grey marble and other popular finishes.

Tiles are fitted one by one and rely on grout between each tile. Bathroom wall panels are much larger so they cover a wider area in one go and use tongue and groove joints instead of grout lines.

With PVC bathroom wall panels you avoid cracked grout, they are easier to keep clean and installation is usually faster, especially in full shower areas and wet rooms. Tiles still work well in some projects, but for many homes panels are the easier long term option.

Yes. Our PVC bathroom wall panels are fully waterproof when they are fitted correctly with suitable trims and sealant. They are designed for use in showers, around baths and in other wet areas.

The PVC surface itself is water resistant, and the joint system and sealant help keep water away from the wall behind when installed as directed.

Yes. Our wall panels are Class 1 fire rated for surface spread of flame, which is suitable for domestic bathroom walls when the panels are installed and used in line with our guidance.

They are not a substitute for fire rated board or fire stopping systems and should not be fitted in place of specialist fire protection where this is required by building regulations.

Yes. The PVC surface is non porous and mould resistant which makes it much harder for mould to take hold compared with bare plaster or grout lines. Any surface condensation can be wiped away rather than soaking in.

Good ventilation is still important in any bathroom, but PVC bathroom wall panels make ongoing cleaning and mould control much easier.

Measure the width and height of each wall you plan to cover. If you are panelling above a bath or inside a shower area, measure from the top of the shower tray or bath to the height you want the panels to finish.

Note down every wall width and the panel width shown on the product page, then divide the wall width by the panel width to get a rough panel count for that wall. Add extra if you have windows, nibs or returns that also need covering.

As a guide, take the width of each wall in millimetres and divide by the panel width in millimetres. Round the result up to the next whole panel. Repeat for every wall that will be clad and then add the totals together.

We always advise ordering at least one extra panel where possible. This allows for offcuts, pattern matching on marble and tile effect designs and any mistakes when cutting.

Yes. If you are unsure, you can contact us with your room sizes and a simple sketch, and we can advise on a sensible panel count based on the PVC wall panels you plan to use.

This is especially useful for large wet rooms or when you want to mix different wall finishes in the same bathroom.

In many bathrooms you can install PVC wall panels directly over existing tiles. The tiles should be secure, clean, dry and reasonably flat. Any loose or hollow tiles should be fixed or removed and any high spots made good before you start.

Use a suitable adhesive for PVC bathroom wall panels and follow the fitting instructions for sealing all edges and joints.

We recommend a quality high grab panel adhesive, that is suitable for PVC bathroom wall panels and wet wall panels, we recomend Soudal GripAll.

The adhesive listed or recommended on our website for each panel range will be suitable for normal domestic installations.

Yes, we strongly advise using trims. External corner trims, internal corner trims, end caps and starter trims all help give a neat finish and support a watertight installation, especially in showers and around baths.

Trims also help protect exposed panel edges from knocks and general wear in busy bathrooms.

Many customers with basic DIY skills are able to fit bathroom wall panels themselves, especially when the room is simple and walls are fairly straight. You will need to be confident with measuring, cutting and sealing.

If your bathroom is complex, has problem walls or you are unsure about any part of the work, using a professional bathroom fitter or joiner is the safest choice.

Panels can usually be cut with a fine toothed handsaw or a suitable power saw, depending on your tools and experience. For small notches around pipes or fittings a fine blade in a multi tool or jigsaw is often used.

Always support the panel while cutting, mark lines with a pencil and use safety equipment such as gloves and eye protection.

Panels cannot remove the cause of mould by themselves, but they do help. PVC bathroom wall panels have a non porous surface so condensation sits on the face of the panel rather than soaking in. This makes it much easier to wipe away moisture and residue before mould has a chance to grow.

For long term mould control you still need decent ventilation, enough heat and to deal with any water leaks or cold spots in the room.

In most bathrooms, mould comes back because the room is staying damp for too long. Common reasons include poor ventilation, weak or faulty extractor fans, cold walls and constant steam from showers.

Switching to waterproof bathroom wall panels makes cleaning easier, but we also suggest checking that your extractor fan is working properly and that the room can dry out between showers.

The PVC face of the panel does not absorb moisture so it will not go mouldy in the same way as grout or bare plaster. Any surface marks can be wiped away with normal bathroom cleaning.

The main area to watch is the sealant line at the bottom of the panels. Using a good quality sanitary silicone and wiping away standing water helps keep this fresh for longer.

For many customers, yes. Wet wall panels and shower wall panels give you large, waterproof boards with far fewer joints than tiles and no grout to crack or discolour. This makes them easier to keep clean and can reduce the risk of water getting behind the surface when fitted correctly.

Tiles still work well when installed properly, but PVC shower panels are often a simpler choice in busy homes and rental properties where easy maintenance is important.

In a typical domestic bathroom with sound walls, correctly installed panels, trims and sealant provide a waterproof lining on their own. Many installers fit panels directly to plasterboard or over tiles without additional tanking.

In problem areas, such as very old walls or heavy use wet rooms, your installer may choose to fit a waterproof board or extra tanking behind the panels for peace of mind. Follow the advice of a qualified fitter for your room.

We deliver PVC bathroom wall panels, wet wall panels and trims to most mainland UK postcodes. Some remote areas and offshore locations are not available on standard services or may need a manual quote.

You can check if we deliver to your address by adding items to your basket and entering your postcode at checkout, or by contacting us before you place your order.

For orders over £150 our rapid delivery service is free. Any delivery fees are shown clearly at checkout before you pay so there are no surprises.

Larger orders and special locations may have different charges. Where this applies we will show the options or discuss them with you before confirming the order.

We aim to dispatch orders as quickly as possible. If ordered before 11Am Mon-Fri we will dispatch them the same day. Most deliveries arrive within a small number of working days once your order has been processed.

Busy periods, bad weather and certain postcodes can affect delivery times, so please check the latest guidance on your order confirmation email and allow some flexibility if you are planning other work around your delivery.

Deliveries are normally made by a one person courier service to the kerbside or your front door. Drivers are not usually able to carry long panels through the property.

Please make sure someone is available on the delivery day who can help receive and carry the panels safely indoors.

We strongly suggest waiting until your panels and trims have arrived and you have checked them before you book a fitter. This avoids any problems if the courier is delayed or if anything needs replacing before installation.

Please inspect your delivery as soon as possible. If any panels or trims look damaged, take clear photographs of the damage and the packaging and contact us straight away with your order number.

Do not install damaged items. We will work with you to put things right in line with our policy.

If your panels are unused, in their original condition and suitable for resale, you may be able to return them. Please contact us first with your order details so we can confirm the options.

Return carriage and restocking checks may apply. Panels that have been cut, handled heavily or installed cannot be returned.

Yes. You can order small samples of selected PVC bathroom wall panels to see the colour and finish in your own bathroom before placing a full order. You can find the order sample button on the panel product pages.

We usually limit the number of 3 samples per order. Any small postage charge will be shown clearly before you check out.

We work with regular trade customers, including bathroom installers, property developers and landlords. If you place repeat orders or buy in volume, please contact us with your details and we can discuss the best way to work with you.

Yes. Our PVC bathroom wall panels come with a 5 year guarantee against manufacturing defects when they are installed and used correctly in normal domestic conditions.

The guarantee does not cover incorrect installation, misuse, impact damage or issues caused by other building defects.

In most bathrooms a soft cloth or sponge and warm soapy water is all you need. This is suitable for marble effect panels, tile effect panels, white sparkle designs and plain finishes.

Avoid abrasive pads and harsh or solvent based cleaners, as these can scratch or dull the surface over time.

We do not recommend using neat bleach directly on the panels. If you use a mild bathroom cleaner that contains bleach, always follow the instructions on the bottle, test on a small area first and rinse thoroughly afterwards.

Our PVC bathroom wall panels are designed to keep their colour and finish for many years. They all have enhanced UV protection as standard.

Prolonged exposure to very strong direct sunlight or the use of harsh chemicals can shorten the life of any surface, so we always recommend gentle cleaning and normal indoor conditions.