Wall Panelling vs Tiles: Which Is Best for Your Bathroom?

Renovating your bathroom and can’t decide between wall panelling or tiles? You’re not alone. Both options offer unique benefits, and the right choice depends on your priorities—whether it’s cost, style, maintenance, or durability. In this post, we’ll break down the pros and cons of bathroom wall panelling versus tiles to help you make the best decision for your space.

What Is Bathroom Wall Panelling?

Bathroom wall panels are large sheets made from materials like PVC, marine grade plywood, or composite, designed to be waterproof and easy to clean. They’re installed over existing walls, often using adhesive and a click-lock system.

✅ Pros of Wall Panelling:

• Quick installation: Wall panels after careful planning are fast to install with minimal tools required.

• Cost-effective: If using the entry level PVC panelling it can be cheaper than tiling the desired area.

• Low maintenance: Fewer seams mean less chance of mould, grout and water ingress issues.

• Modern look: Sleek, seamless finishes suit contemporary interiors.

• Waterproof: Ideal for showers and wet rooms when properly sealed.

❌ Cons of Wall Panelling:

• Limited styles: Fewer design choices compared to tiles.

• Tricky Installation: On large flat walls they are very easy to install, but if you are having wall panelling around windows, door frames or shower niches precision cutting is required.

• Timely planning: The wall panels are large in size, so making sure you plan out your room before making your cuts is very important.

• Expensive: The high end Plywood and composite wall panels are expensive, which means if you are thinking of doing a whole room in wall panelling it may become a lot more expensive than tiling.

• Specialist installation: although you only need a few tools, I would recommend having wall panels installed by a professional. You don’t want to be making May look less premium: Especially in high-end or traditional-style homes.

What About Bathroom Tiles?

Tiles have been a bathroom staple for decades—and for good reason. They come in a wide range of materials, colours, patterns, and sizes, allowing for almost limitless design possibilities.

✅ Pros of Tiles:

• Durability: Porcelain and ceramic tiles are hard-wearing and long-lasting.

• Style flexibility: From vintage mosaics to modern marble, there’s a tile for every look.

• Waterproof: Tiles are fully water proof and if installed correctly can also be used in shower floors to make high-end wet room finishes.

• Heat and scratch resistance: Great if you're using underfloor heating.

• Seamless finishing: High end tile installations using large format tiles can create a similar finish to wall panelling with minimal grout lines.

• Lower cost: If you are looking to cover all the walls in your room, tiling can be cheaper over larger areas compared to wall panels 

• Adds value: Tiled bathrooms are often seen as more luxurious and can add resale value.

❌ Cons of Tiles:

• Time-consuming installation: Tiling is more labour and time intensive and most of the time requires a professional.

• Manufacturing of tiles: Inconsistency of lower quality tiles can result in different sized tiles (sometimes as big as 2-3mm in size difference) which then effects the overall symmetry of the grout lines.

• Grout maintenance: Grout lines can become stained or mouldy over time.

• Higher cost: Materials and labour can quickly add up.

Final Verdict: Which Should You Choose?

Sam’s Opinion:

Wall panelling definitely has its time and place to be used. If you are only looking to cover the walls in the shower/bath area then wall panelling is perfect for those situations. But if you are looking to cover a whole room the costs soon add up.

Tiles for me are timeless. Yes I know it can be overwhelming with the wide range of shades, sizes and styles when choosing tiles, but taking your time to order samples and weighing up your options will give you that classic classy finish.

Although….. You don’t have to choose just one! Some homeowners even mix both, using panels in wet areas (like showers) and tiles elsewhere for texture and contrast.

Ultimately, the decision comes down to your budget and aesthetic finishes but this is something we can sit down and go through all the options with you at our bathroom showroom in Hemel Hempstead.

Still Deciding?

You don’t have to decide straight away. I Always encourage people to take sample tiles or panels away with them and to take your time choosing!

Want help picking specific products or planning your bathroom design? Drop your questions in the comments or contact us for a consultation!