A Step by Step Guide to Buying Shower Wall Panels

architecture - engineering - construction

A Step by Step Guide to Buying Shower Wall Panels

December 28, 2020

So, you’re sick and tired of cleaning tile shower grout and are determined to buy a shower wall panel system to eliminate the hassle of moldy and dirty joints once and for all.

You said to yourself, “How difficult can it be buying shower wall panels?” Of course, you said this BEFORE you got down to the task at hand. Then you found soooo many different products, sizes, thicknesses, and installation methods it made your head spin.

Suddenly, the simple – I’m buying shower wall panels – wasn’t simple any longer. Different manufacturers making different claims. You don’t know what to believe. It started sounding as one-sided as cable news channels reporting on the political candidates – ha! ha!

As a guy who has lead a business (for more years than I care to admit) which wholesales across the United States, and does Ohio which installs them I can tell you I’ve seen ‘the good, the bad and the ugly’ in shower wall panel options. And I DO NOT want you to experience the ugly (either because you paid too much for an inferior product, or feel you got ‘stuck with’ a choice which ‘cheapened’ your newly remodeled bathroom).

To guide you through this shower wall panel buying decision, I’ll lay out a 9-step process. I don’t want you to waste time or get a product you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy. So, let’s dig in.

Step 1 – Determine your budget

Isn’t it disheartening to spend a LOT of time researching a product, then you ‘fall in love’ with it only to learn it’s waaaay beyond your budget?

This is a lesson in frustration you can do without. You need to think through your budget FIRST, so you don’t go on a ‘wild goose chase’ (as my Dad used to say).

If money is tight (or you’re using these panels in a low-cost rental) your ‘top’ (or lowest budget) choices will be FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic), fiberglass or acrylic. For a standard 60” x 32” shower these 3 types of wall panels will cost between $250 and $1,000.

On the other hand, if you want an upgraded system – without blowing BIG BUCKS – the mid-priced offerings are , units or cultured stone. Expect to pay between $1,000 and $2,500 for a 3-wall standard sized 60” x 32” shower alcove.

And if budget is no option (you just hit the lottery or your rich Uncle Biff died leaving you a big inheritance), check out marble or granite slabs or . These panels will run between $3,000 and $6,000 for a standard 60” x 32” alcove shower.

Finally, if you want to do a ‘deep dive’ (OK – I’ll admit I HATE this corporate jargon phrase, but used it to amuse you) into this subject read, or click on the image below.

Step 2 – Decide if you’re going to DIY this project yourself, work with a buddy or have it professionally installed

Not all shower wall panels are the same difficulty to install (right now, you’re likely saying, “Tell me something I don’t know Captain Obvious?”).

Some low-priced systems like FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic), fiberglass and acrylic are relatively straightforward to put in (although you need to watch for shrinkage when you’re cutting them). However, these same systems are hard to install alone because they’re wafer thin and awkward especially if you have a 60” or larger wall to do). In addition, some of these panels’ (especially acrylic) are only sold through professional installing dealers (which makes it tough on the DIY’er to buy them).

For the mid-priced panels – my favorite (as far as ease of installation is concerned) for a DIY’er are the . They’re super-simple to cut (you can even cut them with a carpenter’s knife). Another winning system is (which are 2’ x 8’ x 3/8” thick rigid boards which only weigh 26 lbs.). They can be installed by one person, which is a BIG bonus if you like to work alone. The cultured stone shower panels – while thick and durable – are super-heavy (a 5’ x 8’ x 3/8” thick panel weighs 120 lbs.). So, if you’re using this product YOU WILL need help installing.

@innovatebuild #innovatebuild #shower #remodeling #bathroom

Company: Innovate Building Solutions