The best material to use on shower walls varies from one person to the other. The choice will depend on what you want your bathroom to look like, the durability of the material, your safety, water resistance attributes, the cost of the material, and the ease of maintaining and cleaning the material on the walls. These factors plus your personal needs in the shower will play a major role in determining your final choice. This article looks at the best materials to use on shower walls.
- Ceramic Tiles
Ceramic tiles come in a wide range of designs, sizes and textures. You can thus be guaranteed to find something that fits your personal desires. Ceramic tiles are the most common material for shower walls, and have been used in many homes for a long period. This is mainly because they are less expensive and easy to install.
If properly installed, ceramic tiles look appealing and can serve you for quite some time. However, if fixed inappropriately, ceramic tiles can be the most frustrating option for shower walls since the grout lines can trap soap scum or even become perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. To avoid this, you will be required to clean the tiles frequently. They are also water resistant so you do not have to worry about them being damaged by water. When it comes to safety, they are quite slippery but this problem can be overcome by having the tiles in smaller pieces to increase grout lines, which in turn increases traction, hence less chances of falling.
- Glass Tiles
Glass is very beautiful and looks elegant. It comes in a wide range of designs, colors and sizes, so you choose one that fits your taste and preference. The main advantage of glass is that it is reflective, letting in additional light. This makes it ideal for rooms that do not have enough lighting. Glass requires little space since it is thinner, and is therefore recommended for smaller bathrooms. Glass is easy to clean and a single wipe using a soft piece of cloth will get the job done.
If you are after elegance, glass is one good option that you want to consider. The only challenge with glass is that it is slippery and picks up soap scum stains easily. However, the problem of slipperiness can be overcome by fitting the walls with mosaic glass to increase traction and safety. Despite all its issues, glass tile still makes an amazing material for a shower wall.
- Natural Stone
Natural stone is beautiful, making it a great material to use on shower walls. Pieces of natural stone are fit one by one into the concrete of a shower wall. The main advantage of a shower wall is that you can use it to create your desired art design. It is also able to absorb water and soap scum hence maintaining that clean environment in your bathroom. Despite this, natural stone is one of the most expensive materials for shower walls since it is hard to find.
Acrylic
Acrylic comes in one large pieces that perfectly fit into your wall, making it easy to install. The material is less expensive, making it fantastic for homeowners working on a small budget. The fact that acrylic comes in one large piece of sheet eliminates chances of mold and mildew growth and even makes it easy to clean since it does not have grout lines. The main advantage of acrylic is that it can be customized to accommodate safety options such as built in shower seats, barrier entry and grab bars. The only challenge with acrylic is that it is prone to scratches and stains, but with proper care, it can give you that prolonged and great appearance.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is made in the factory and come as a one large sheet, a characteristic that makes it so easy to install. It is less expensive, making it a friendly option for those working on a low budget. It is usually thicker than acrylic, a property that makes it soundproof. Therefore, if you are looking to minimize the noise from the flowing water and singing in the shower, this is your option. It also does not have grout lines, reducing chances of mold and mildew growth. Apart from this, fiberglass is quite easy to clean. The only issue with fiberglass is that it is prone scratches.
Taking into consideration the aforementioned materials, the best material for your shower wall will depend on personal tastes and preferences. The materials have their own pros and cons and you should thus select the one that fits you best. Nevertheless, whichever material you pick, it is obvious that it will add extra comfort, making you to enjoy your shower even more.