Designers these days are paying more attention to the wall panel ranges.

There has certainly been a recent rise in the popularity of wall panels.  While a few Years ago designers and to a large extent consumers looked on wall panels as a basic and not so attractive alternative to tiles to tiles.  While many could see the positives in terms of relatively simple installation and ease of cleaning, the wall panel seemed to be regarded as a cheaper option, despite the fact the many are actually a bit more pricey than tiles.

Why the upturn of interest?

Quality panels, particularly the laminate ranges, seem to have burst into the mainstream with some glorious finishes, including many which feature a tile effect surface and most recently the timber effects, and the bang on trend slat-wall styles.  Designers find themselves open to many more options in terms of finish and the other characteristics of the panels offer a real alternative to tiles.  You can now choose panels for your bathroom with finishes ranging from the classical marble and stone look to the warm touch and look of wood.  You can have slab style or tile effect and even the trendy slat-wall wood finishes.  

With such a range of finishes and with easy clean, mould free and waterproof properties is it any wonder that wall panels are a popular choice?

To offer further versatility, some ranges are now available in 2500mm high.  This open up the possibility of panels for some taller rooms where ceiling height is above the 2.4M.  Tha exter 100mm can make all the difference if you have a room 2.45M or so high.

Some examples of the finishes available:

Fibo wall panels come in many colours and designs.

The Marble Tile Effect Wall Panels in Bright Marble Gloss, as above, come with a 25-year warranty.  The high gloss finish beautifully replicates the look of natural marble, bringing a classical vibe to any bathroom.

Metrowall offers a luxurious, grout-free paneling solution.

Replicating the natural beauty of marble and stone, These panels are available in various gloss and matt finishes and include several with an embossed texture, interesting and pleasing to the touch as well as visually.  Metrowall panels are backed by a lifetime guarantee.

Naturepanel’s easy-to-install wood panels come in a range of finishes.

Pictured above is the warm-toned Warmia Walnut, ideal for those who want to include the current trend towards the warmth of wood in their decor.  Designed to be completely waterproof, Narturepanel can be used in shower areas and around baths.

Multipanel’s Sage Green Metro Tile panels offer the elegance of classic tiles

providing that sought-after Subway tile look for the Urban and Industrial style frequently seen in the contemporary apartments.  On the right of the picture above are Multipanel Taupe Grey Herringbone panels.  The Multipanel range carries a 30 year guarantee.

An addition to Showerwall’s all-new Majestic Collection.

Oyster features a crisp white base and mineral-rich veining in silvery greys, taupes and charcoals, very much inspired by natural marble. The base is Hydrocore, Showerwall’s new waterproof coreboard, which is manufactured from polyurethane waste and production offcuts bringing an edge of sustainability to the panel.

 Another member of their new Waterproof Hydrocore range.

Showerwall’s Bronze Smoke features swirling patterns of deep bronze, copper and earthy charcoal tones,  perfect for feature walls.  It is also worth noting that these panels can also be used on floors or countertops making them extremely versatile.

The staggered tile effect of Multipanel’s new XL Offset panels are perfect for any bathroom.

These large-format 590mm x 2400mm grout-free panels come in four elegant marble decors, including Valmasino Marble, above.

What's the cost?

Prices can vary depending on the finish of the panel.  Most manufacturers produce a range of finishes and tend to group them into several price bands, also there is an additional cost for providing a joint prepared edge rather than a straight cut.  To simplify we have just generalised, and based the price ideas on typical costs in the UK for laminate panels.  n.b. PVC, acrylic and glass panels are different costs.

In the UK you can expect to pay between £300 and £400 for a typical 2400mmx1200mm laminate panel.  A typical corner shower like a 900x900mm quadrant or square will need 2 panels, a similar sized shower in an alcove will need 3 panels, and a bigger shower, like a 1700x800mm will need 3 or maybe 4 if the tray is fitted wall to wall and three sides need to be covered.  If you want to panel your entire room, a typical (2.4Mx1.8M) will require 7 or 8 panels and a larger room will obviously need more.  Just for clarity, these figures are based on the 2400x1200 panel size.  Some ranges, like the Naturepanel slat style wood finish, come in a 2400x 600 size so quantities would need to double, but the panel price is of course less.

So the laminate panels are pitched at a price which is considerably more than a ceramic tile and even a little higher than a decent quality porcelain tile, but factor the installation costs in and the price gap will narrow significantly.  The panels are much easier to fit, require less preparation work and do not need grouting.  Add in the ease of cleaning and simple long term maintenance and panels do offer a good value choice, and value is always different to cost: remember that.

Using panels.

Panels can be mixed with other surfaces, and are often used on the walls around a shower area while another surface is used in the rest of the room.  Another design technique is to create a feature wall using a laminate panel, and another finish around the remaining walls.  Both these ideas can produce a very visually attractive result which is actually practical too.

Contrasting different finishes and textures in a room will provide interest and visual depth and can be a big step towards creating a particular theme you want to achieve.  However do be cautious, it is easy to overdo things and make a disaster for yourself.  In a smaller room limit the different finishes to two, a larger room will accept a few more changes and features, but don't go over the top!

Modern design is tending towards leaving some areas for painting, and using panels in a defined area with a painted surface on the remaining walls can look great, and also open up the opportunity to change colour without any major work.  I you are thinking along these lines, its best to use the panels in wet areas where they offer the most protection, and off-cuts can always be used to make a splashback behind your basin, tying two areas of the room together visually; it can look great!

Who makes panels and where can we get them.

There are several manufacturers of laminate type wall panels, the main players in the UK market are:

Fibo    https://fibo.co.uk/

Showerwall   https://showerwall.co.uk/

Multipanel   https://www.multipanel.co.uk/

Naturepanel   https://www.naturepanel.co.uk/

Metrowall   https://www.carysil.co.uk/metrowall-panels/