Shower Wall Panels vs Tiles: A Faster Way to Renovate Toronto Bathrooms
Shower Wall Panels vs Tiles: A Faster Way to Renovate Toronto Bathrooms
If you live in Toronto or the GTA and are planning a bathroom renovation, you’ve probably compared traditional tiles with modern shower wall panels. Both can look nice, but more and more homeowners and contractors are switching to wall panels for tub surrounds and walk-in showers.
At RichVaugh Wall Panel, we supply waterproof shower wall panels and marble-look panels from our Markham warehouse, with delivery across Canada. Here’s a simple comparison to help you decide which option is better for your next project.
1. Installation Time and Mess
Tiles
- Need backer board, waterproofing membrane and many grout lines.
- Installation often takes several days, plus extra time for grout to dry.
- Cutting tiles creates noise and dust, which is hard to control in condos.
Shower wall panels
- Large panels cover a big area quickly, with far fewer joints.
- Many projects can be finished in 1–2 days once plumbing is ready.
- Less dust and cutting on site, which is perfect for Toronto condos and busy families.
If you want to shorten your bathroom renovation time, shower wall panels are usually the faster choice.
2. Waterproofing and Cleaning
Tiles
- Grout lines can absorb moisture and become discoloured over time.
- Regular scrubbing is needed to keep grout looking clean.
- If waterproofing behind the tiles fails, repairs can be expensive.
Shower wall panels
- Our shower wall panels are designed to be waterproof when installed correctly.
- There are almost no grout lines, so soap and dirt have nowhere to “sit”.
- Most surfaces can be cleaned with a simple wipe using mild bathroom cleaner.
For busy homeowners and rental properties, low-maintenance shower wall panels are much easier to look after than tiles.
3. Design Options for Modern Bathrooms
With tiles, you are limited by the size and pattern of each piece. Mixing different tiles can look great, but it also adds cost and complexity.
Shower wall panels give you a lot of design freedom:
- Marble-look panels create a luxury stone effect without the weight or price of real slabs.
- Large format panels help small bathrooms look bigger because there are fewer lines on the wall.
- You can combine slat wall panels outside the shower area with smooth panels inside the wet zone for a modern, hotel-style design.
Because we are a Toronto wall panel supplier, you can see full-size samples in our showroom before making a decision.
4. Cost and Long-Term Value
For many Toronto bathrooms, using large shower wall panels instead of tiles can:
- reduce installation labour,
- shorten the total renovation schedule,
- cut future maintenance costs (less grout repair and cleaning).
Tiles can still be a good choice for special custom patterns, but for most everyday projects, panels offer better value for the time and budget.
5. Where RichVaugh Fits In
RichVaugh Wall Panel is a Toronto wall panel supplier with a wide range of:
- waterproof shower wall panels,
- marble wall panels for feature walls and vanities,
- large wall panels for hotel-style bathrooms and powder rooms.
Most products are stocked at our Markham showroom and warehouse, and we ship across Canada, including Montréal and other cities in Québec.
If you send us your bathroom size and a photo, our team can estimate how many panels you need, suggest the right finish and recommend trims and accessories to finish the edges cleanly.
Planning a Bathroom or Shower Renovation?
Whether you’re a homeowner, designer or contractor in Toronto and the GTA, shower wall panels are a fast, modern way to upgrade bathrooms.
Visit our showroom at 271 Amber St, Markham to see the panels in person, or browse our shower wall panels collection online.
RichVaugh Wall Panel – Toronto & Canada wall panel supplier for modern bathrooms, showers and feature walls.
