Tile Alternatives To Consider When Renovating Your Bathroom Shower

A shower should be a calming space where you feel comfortable spending time. As a staple of bathrooms for decades, tile formats have become the go-to shower material. But the same material in the bathroom can quickly begin to look tired. Not to mention, colorful tile and grout can be a pain to keep clean and looking like new. When upgrading the look of your shower, why not set your space apart by selecting a unique format? It turns out there are a variety of choices for covering shower walls with eye-catching visuals that hold up for years to come, including authentic stone, laminate, acrylic and fiberglass inserts, and even wallpaper.

Showers should include materials that are highly durable and will continue to look stunning in the shower space indefinitely. Of course, the most important component of any shower is that its materials can withstand water. Luckily, there are a number of options available on the market that are water-resistant and will remain intact no matter how many showers are had. Here are some of the materials that can transform your shower without the headache of tile installation.   

For those looking for the most beautiful and high-end shower options available, panels of authentic stone could be the perfect option. Real stone is unmatched in its character as it feels naturalistic and organic. Single large panels are easier to install than small individual tiles, which need to be evenly laid one by one. And the exclusive, deep veining of real stone comes directly from the earth, whereas tile can merely replicate the look. Various types of stone can be used in the shower, including marble, granite, and travertine.  

Made of plastic, acrylic panels just might be the best alternative to ceramic tiles for your shower. The low-cost material is waterproof and not difficult to install. It offers a sleek, continuous design in an easy-to-clean format. Acrylic showers are a worthy solution as they do not require troublesome grout or a rigorous cleaning routine. Instead, they are simple to maintain and can even be made to replicate the look of other fashionable styles, such as stone or subway tile.  

Laminate has long proven itself as a proper solution for floors, but it can be used as a shower material as well. This allows for a continuous design scheme to be taken and followed throughout the entire home. Or, the bathroom floor can be covered with the same laminate material as the shower for a uniform look that ties the space together. Unlike tile, laminate does not require grouting, which makes installation easier and faster. Laminate can come in a variety of different appearances, including realistic wood-look panels. 

One of the most popular modern solutions for kitchens nowadays is also establishing itself as a choice for bathrooms. Stainless steel feels industrial and impervious, taking shower designs to a new level. The strong material is shiny, sleek, and will stand up to splashes with ease. The classic silver hue will never go out of style, and it will also match shower heads and fixtures made from the same material. Stainless steel eliminates the disadvantages that come with installing a tiled shower in your bathroom, such as grout that needs frequent scrubbing to prevent discoloration. 

Glass doors are the shower trend that's replacing curtains and screens, so why not surround an entire shower in a form of glass as well? Fiberglass is its own distinct material that is durable, strong, and low-cost, while offering a premium look. It's also long-lasting, environmentally friendly, and waterproof. A fiberglass shower can be bought as an insert that covers three walls, and a fiberglass shower door can be added for a full shower that consists of the same material. 

When you hear the term PVC, pipes may come to mind rather than showers. But it turns out that PVC panels are well-suited for showers because they are lightweight, strong, and waterproof. They are not expensive and are fairly simple to cut and lay. Their click-lock construction is similar to that of flooring that a DIYer can install. Maintenance is easy, as mold and mildew will not permeate the PVC panels, which come in multiple constructions, including those with and without foam, as well as formats with extra layers for added durability. 

For those who want their shower to have a truly standout appearance, back-painted glass may be ideal. This type of glass is painted on its rear-facing side, then covered in a coating for protection. This allows the painted visual to illuminate through the glass on the front-facing side without risk of being damaged. This means the shower wall can be customized to your liking, while the thickness and water-resistance of the glass keep the color rich. All the benefits of a glass wall are present, and enhanced with a colorful touch! 

It may sound impossible, but wallpaper can actually be used to decorate a shower! The right type of wallpaper, that is. Among modern wallpaper offerings are specifically tailored options, such as large artistic creations that are water-resistant so they will not be damaged in the shower. Shower walls can now be used as a canvas to be outfitted with unique, detailed works of art. But preparation is everything with this type of installation. It's imperative to make sure the wall is well sealed and flat where the wallpaper will be laid.