Bathrooms reflect our hygienic practices and can make or break the impression before guests. Hence, homeowners prioritize damp—and mold-free walls and ceilings in bathroom interiors. Excessive moisture exposure and chemicals from detergents and personal care products are enough to impact the bathroom interiors. Thus, investing in durable and moisture-resistant wall panels for bathroom walls becomes necessary. The right solution will help eliminate issues like dampness and contamination, offering a sanitarily fit bathroom space. 

What are the available options for wall panels for bathroom walls? 

When looking for wall paneling options for bathroom spaces, you need to consider the following factors, among others: 

• Moisture-resistance
• Anti-mold
• Easy to clean and sanitize
• Durable
• Long-lasting

The most common solutions for bathroom walls are vinyl panels, ceramic tiles, and FRP panels. But when compared and contrasted, vinyl panels emerge as the reliable option because of their practicality and affordability. We will learn all about vinyl panels, but before that, let’s look at the drawbacks of ceramic tiles and FRP panels that make them an impractical choice for bathrooms. 

Drawbacks of installing tiles and FRP panels in bathrooms

Both ceramic tiles and FRP panels struggle to keep up with the demanding environment of bathrooms. Unlike PVC panels, they are not durable or long-lasting and are prone to damage from daily wear and tear. Have a look at the disadvantages:

FRP panels: High maintenance, difficult to install, and vulnerable to moisture

The biggest challenges with installing FRP panels in bathrooms are the prolonged installation time and the risk of dampness. Although FRP panels are advertised as water-resistant, they fail to ensure a damp-free space. These panels are flimsy and need wooden backer boards to support them. The backer boards absorb moisture from the humid conditions of bathrooms, resulting in rotting and dampness on the walls and ceilings. The rotten FRP panels become a breeding ground for mold and mildew, contaminating the bathroom space. 

Further, FRP panels need adhesives, face-mounted rivets, and backer boards, making the installation expensive and complicated. Plus, they are high-maintenance and require frequent repairs and replacements, escalating the upkeep costs. 

Ceramic tiles: Prone to mold formation and damage from impacts

Installing tiles as wall panels for bathroom walls has been a popular solution for years. But their brittle nature demands frequent replacements due to damage from strong impacts. Hence, they are an expensive choice for bathroom spaces due to their escalating overhead expenses. Further, installing tiles is a messy and time-consuming process. The tiles are joined with grout, and these grout lines accumulate moisture, oil, and dirt, making way for mold and mildew formation. As a result, cleaning becomes a hassle, and the bathrooms require regular maintenance to ensure cleanliness and hygiene. 

How are PVC panels the ideal choice for bathrooms? 

Duramax PVC wall panels offer a practical solution for moisture-prone environments, cleanrooms, and spaces that prioritize hygiene. These panels are water-resistant and serve as an economical alternative to FRP panels, eliminating the need for OSB backing. The installation process is straightforward, requiring no messy gluing or additional assistance, and these panels are designed for durability, eliminating the need for replacement. By requiring only half the labor and material costs compared to traditional options, Duramax panels provide a significant competitive advantage for projects. Know about the practical features of Duramax panels:

Inherently moisture-resistant

Made from 100% virgin vinyl, PVC panels are inherently moisture-resistant. Their non-porous surface does not allow moisture absorption, preventing dampness in the long run. They can sustain the humid conditions of the bathroom spaces and do not rot or mold over the years. They help maintain damp and mold-free walls and ceilings in bathrooms. 

Simple and fast installation

The lightweight PVC panels make them convenient to handle and install. They are ½” thick and do not need additional backer boards to support and directly fit the walls with studs and fasteners. Further, these panels have an interlocking design, joining each other with a tongue and groove mechanism, making the installation easy and fast. Hence, PVC panels save up to 40% on material and 50% on labor costs, compared to FRP panels. 

Requires minimal maintenance 

PVC panels have a unique inner webbed truss design, making them exceptionally durable and sturdy. Thus, they are impact resistant and do not rot, mold, crack, or peel off over the years, making them low maintenance. These panels also do not need frequent repair or replacement, saving on the upkeep expenses. Further, these panels are stain-resistant and easy to clean with a normal wipe down with a damp cloth and mild detergent. 

Meets hygiene standards

PVC panels adhere to strict hygiene and safety standards. They are CFIA and FDA-compliant and ASTM-certified after rigorous quality inspections. Further, these panels have an antibacterial coating to prevent bacterial and microbial growth on the surface. PVC panels are also a safe solution as they are class-1 fire-rated. They can endure an hour of fire and flame without damage or releasing toxic gases. 

Lasts for decades

One of the biggest flexes with PVC panels is that they are long-lasting. These panels come with a shelf life of 100 years, making for a lifetime investment. This eliminates the need for frequent replacements and significantly saves additional expenses. Further, being durable, these panels do not succumb to the daily wear and tear and maintain their sleek appearance for years to come. 

Duramax panels are an affordable option

Shop for PVC wall panels for bathroom walls from Duramax for high-quality and lasting performance. Duramax is the leading PVC panel manufacturer and supplier in the USA. We deliver USA-made panels nationwide at factory-direct prices and a limited lifetime warranty. Invest in our panels for affordability and cost-effectiveness. Ask for a free sample now!

Final Word

The impressive features, like moisture-resistance, anti-mold, and durability, make PVC panels a revolutionary solution. They are the ideal fit for the wet environment of bathrooms, without compromising on the look and feel of the space. Further, their low maintenance and easy cleaning make them a convenient option for commercial and residential bathrooms.

Order PVC wall panels for bathroom walls today from Duramax!