11 Low Maintenance Shower Walls (Best Materials Guide)
One of the major challenges for homeowners out there is how to find materials that are stylish, don’t break the budget, and offer long-lasting durability. Having low maintenance shower walls can help minimize the time spent scrubbing surfaces and cleaning.
An upgrade on the space is instantaneous, and you will get your money’s worth out of it. but aside from saving a bit of money on the front end, you also have to take a look at it from a long-range perspective.
Low Maintenance Shower Wall Materials
Opting for low-maintenance materials is as important as the bathroom update itself. Here are some you can check out.
Shower Panels
These panels are made from acrylic, fiberglass, PVC, and composite materials. There are so many materials and styles to choose from in shower wall panels that, to be honest, picking a specific design would turn out to be the biggest challenge.
Installation is easy and requires so much less than a tile job. They basically attach to the wall using a single sheet adhesive that’s also great construction. The end result is something that is completely watertight, smooth, and uniform.
Porcelain or Quartz Panels
These materials can also come in cultured marble. This option can give you a seamless look that lends a vibe of continuity to your shower space, making it appear bigger than its actual size.
It is slightly pricier upfront, but it actually saves you money in the long run as it requires little to no maintenance and has a lifespan that can last for over 2 decades. Read more about quartz shower walls on this page.
Easy Maintenance Shower Tile
This is the obvious go-to choice for people redesigning bathrooms. There are so many tile designs that come in all shapes and colors that you are bound to find something that suits you.
It’s also fairly cheap. The only downside to tiles, though, is the grout. Although the shower tiles themselves are pretty easy to clean, the grout might require some extra attention, especially for light-colored tiles. If you go for tiles, just remember that the tile grout must be watertight.
Tiles are a great option for the shower’s enclosure, but maintenance might be a hiccup. Luckily, there are tiles that require less maintenance compared to the others.
Here are a few options that you ought to consider if you’re looking for tiles that are easy to maintain:
Solid Surface Tiles
They’re durable, versatile, and extremely low maintenance. This is seen more and more in bathrooms all over the country.
It is usually a combination of resin, pigments, epoxy, acrylic, or polyester. It has no grout usage and has no grooves where mold and mildew can grow and stay so cleanup can be a total breeze.
One of the most popular types of solid surface material brands is Corian. You can read more about Corian shower walls here.
Fog-proof Glass
Foggy glass panels can be a real pet peeve, and they can turn out to be quite difficult to clean as well.
Opting for the fog-proof variety will help you save money on special cleaners because you wouldn’t need any. It’s a great option to go for your enclosure options.
Luxury Vinyl Tile
This can mimic the look and feel of natural wood or Italian slate but has all the benefits of a low maintenance requirement. They’re also quite inexpensive and durable, so they’re perfect if you update your bathroom on a budget.
You only need a damp mop to clean up; deep cleaning is seldom required.
Easiest To Clean Shower Material
For an easy-to-clean alternative to tile and its hard-to-clean grout lines, you’ll want to consider enclosure materials that are made as one solid piece with no grout.
Acrylic and Fiberglass
These materials are the easiest to clean because they come in a single sheet. There is no need for grout usage, which is its best upside. Grout can have puddles of water stuck in between them, which means that they encourage the growth of mold and mildew. This isn’t an issue with acrylic and fiberglass.
Wiping it up with some soapy water will do the trick. This is the best option to consider when you don’t want much on your mind regarding maintenance for your bathroom area.
The installation for this material is also pretty easy. For homeowners who are a bit on the handy side, this is definitely something that can be done without any skilled labor or professional help.
Low Maintenance Shower Stalls
Here are the most popular low-maintenance materials to use with pre-made stalls.
Plastic Shower Stalls
Plastic stalls might sound like a cheap option, but it actually isn’t. It can be cut into a large piece to cover their entire wall.
It can come in a wide variety of styles and colors, so your options can be extremely versatile. If you’re looking for good value for your money, then plastic or acrylic stalls are a great option.
Fiberglass Walls
This is another option for you to go for. They are somewhat higher priced than acrylic stalls but have a higher quality in appearance and feel.
Fiberglass retains a high gloss finish. They are also fairly easy to clean and maintain. They can give you a great option for your shower stalls.
They also tend to last longer than the other enclosure materials on the market.
Glass Enclosures
Tempered glass is the way to go, as it’s stronger and safer if it breaks. It can make the shower appear bigger by letting plenty of light in.
It also has a lot of etching options if you want to have more designs other than just plain glass. It’s easy to clean because glass doesn’t have grooves to soak up water, but you need special cleaners to ensure you keep hard water stains at bay.
Stone Cladding
These materials are extremely durable, lasting long, sometimes a lifetime. It’s quite resistant to chipping, scuffing, or growing molds.
Stone shower walls with marble, granite, and slate are popular materials. They can be quite beautiful and bring that luxurious feel to your showering space in the bathroom.
To see more types of bathroom showers check out this gallery.
