What is the best material for shower walls?
Shower walls can be made from many different materials, including Fiberglass, Acrylic, Corian, cultured marble or solid surface sheets, ceramic or porcelain tile, and marble and natural stone tile. The basic requirements are a material that resists water, is attractive, easily cleaned and won’t degrade easily.
Some materials are easier to care for than others, which can be a considerable factor in decision making:
- Tiles can meet all the criteria for good shower material, with many being water resistant or waterproof. They come in a variety of colors and styles, and are easy to clean. The grout is less simple to clean, but many bathroom cleaning products make the work simpler.
- Stone and stone tiles have many of the same advantages as tile. Stone is more difficult to care for than tile; many attractive natural stones are slightly porous, and absorb the soap and minerals from water, so they need to be sealed regularly.
- Fiberglass and acrylic are fairly attractive, though they are susceptible to scratching and yellowing over time. They are a good choice if you need something effective, attractive and inexpensive.
- Solid surface materials, such as Corian, are non-porous, no grout to clean, hence are easy to clean.
Once you know the advantages and disadvanteges of your 1st, 2nd and 3rd choices, you can make a purchasing decision based on benefits, looks and budget, according to your bathroom style.
