As property investors, we’re always looking for the next best thing to up our design game and make landlord life easier.
Where shower panels used to look cheap and uninspiring, they’ve now come a long way and lots of us are wondering whether we should continue using tiles, or make the switch to shower panels.
Grab a cuppa, get comfy, and let's dive into the world of shower panels and tiles together!
Shower Panels: The Modern Marvels - What are they?
In brief, shower panels are oversized waterproof sheets that can be affixed directly to your walls or even placed over existing tiles using adhesive (although we'd always recommended stripping back to prep properly!). Similar to conventional tiles, their primary function is to shield the underlying wall from water damage.
Why We Love Them:
✔️ Easy-Breezy Installation: As they come in large panels, have no grout to apply, and are secured with glue, the setup is virtually hassle-free and can be done by a joiner. This means you’re saving valuable time and energy for your trades, completing your renovations sooner.
✔️ Low-Maintenance: These panels are a breeze to clean, and they're mould-resistant too. No worrying about tenants letting your grout lines turn black with mould (because there is no grout!), your bathroom will stay fresh and fabulous for a long time.
tml top tip - try to go for panels with a tile effect on larger areas as this will naturally hide the joining seam. Where possible, mix and match different panels for more of that custom look that tiles give.
Multipanel - White Terrazzo | Monument Grey
Psst - Multipanel are our first choice, but if you have a tighter budget, look below...
The Panel Company - White Concrete | Matt Carrara Marble | Lindos Dark Grey Matt
Why We’re Not A Fan:
✖️ Design Restrictions: Although shower panels have come a long way in design, they’re still far from being on par with the look tiles provide. There’s reduced versatility, as you can’t mix and match patterns, textures or grouts, plus ranges are still very limited compared to tile options.
✖️ Lower Perceived Quality: Because they are seen as a cheaper version, even the more expensive options can still have that negative connotation to them. Put it this way, we wouldn’t recommend using them in a flip project.
Tiles: The Timeless Classics!
Ah, tiles – the longstanding champions of bathroom decor. With their endless variety, colours, and textures, tiles have been the go-to for decades. But are they the right fit for your bathroom renovation? Let's find out!
Why We Love Them:
✔️ Endless Creative Freedom: Tiles come in a plethora of styles, patterns, and colours, so there's a tile for every taste and vision — mix and match to your heart's content!
✔️ Durability: Tiles are known for their durability, standing the test of time for decades, there’s a reason they’ve been used for centuries.
Walls and Floors - Fern Tiles | White Carrara Fluted Marble Effect Wall Tiles
What Lets Tiles Down:
✖️ Higher Cost: Of course there are options to suit all budgets, but the overall cost of purchasing tiles and installing them is usually more than bathroom panels.
✖️ Maintenance: Although the tiles themselves are durable, mould growth and discolouration on grout lines can be an issue. In rental properties, the least amount of maintenance required, the better.
At the end of the day, whether you choose the contemporary charm of shower panels or the timeless allure of tiles, it's all about what’s right for you and your investment. As a general rule we'd say go for panels in HMOs and BTLs, tiles for SA's, flips and higher end BTLs.
Consider your property’s purpose, renovation budget, and design preferences and you won’t go wrong!
