No one doubts that ceramic tiles are one of the most convenient and practical materials for finishing bathroom walls. However, most professionals are capable of placing it on a wall surface efficiently. The obvious difficulties associated with ceramics force people to look for other, simpler, but nevertheless reliable and attractive options (read about how to drill tiles on a wall). How else can you decorate the walls in the bathroom besides tiles? We offer you 8 alternative solutions to the issue. With all the pros and cons of each, as you like.
- Waterproof paint;
- Plastic panels;
- Glass mosaic;
- Moisture-resistant drywall;
- Lining;
- Linoleum;
- Film;
- Porcelain tiles;
- Conclusion.
Waterproof paint
- the most economical and simple option;
- plenty of room for experimenting with color;
- strict adherence to hygiene standards.
Of course, not every paint will find its ideal application on the walls of your bathroom. You should focus on waterproof options based on latex
or
acrylic
. As a rule, they contain active substances that prevent the formation of mold and mildew.
True, areas that have direct contact with water - for example, in the shower area, washbasin - are best covered with
tempered glass
. After all, no matter how waterproof the paint is, its service life is inexorably reduced due to constant contact with water drops. So we touched on the main disadvantages of this material:
- fragility;
- Over time, even the brightest color fades;
- If the base is not properly prepared, the paint may peel off and fall off.
What are the nuances?
Perhaps, here we should talk about the most important and only nuance - the need for high-quality priming of the wall surface. Choose a water-repellent primer with deep penetration - and be sure to carefully treat the grooves
- very often they become the source of the spread of various “infections” (how to properly groove walls). In general, the scheme of actions is extremely clear:
- first primer
; - and only then painting.
Several photos where the owners chose ordinary waterproof paint for wall decoration, as well as a water-based paint consumption calculator.
Tip #9: Don’t overpay for the brand
The most common mistake that most people make is chasing products from famous brands. Often this is not justified. Plumbing fixtures from Russian manufacturers are most often not inferior in design and quality to analogues from foreign companies, and the price is several times cheaper. It is also recommended to give preference to toilets and sinks made of earthenware. They are cheaper than porcelain products and at the same time are practically not inferior to them in terms of quality characteristics.
In most cases, plumbing fixtures from Russian manufacturers are no worse than their foreign counterparts
Plastic panels
- standard water resistance;
- accessible installation;
- “cheap and cheerful”;
- wide choice of color finishes.
What is remarkable about plastic panels
? Perhaps, due to its practicality in the specific conditions of the bathroom. They have a good supply of moisture resistance, and installation will not cause difficulties even for the most unprepared amateur. Add to this a large number of color options, and in just five minutes you can get an ideal “substitute” for ceramic tiles. However, there were some downsides:
- fragility;
- flammability;
- reducing usable space in the room.
Plastic panels are incredibly easy to deform - and this is one of the reasons why many do not choose this material. However, you are unlikely to get into the shower drunk or use the wall to imitate a tennis partner - which is why panels remain one of the most popular options for bathrooms today.
Tip No. 2: saving on preparatory work
When carrying out repairs, one of the required stages is preparatory work to dismantle the old finishes, communications or plumbing. This does not require any experience or special tools. Old tiles can be removed using a puncher or a chisel with a hammer, the wallpaper can be removed with a spatula after thoroughly wetting the canvas, and the paint can be cleaned off using special chemicals or a brush with metal bristles. You can also dismantle and remove old plumbing fixtures yourself.
You can save a lot of money by knocking down old tiles and removing paint yourself.
Glass mosaic
- the most expensive option;
- reliability and durability;
- ideal moisture resistance;
- incredibly beautiful decorative effect.
A solution for those who do not count the money in their wallet. Glass mosaic is perhaps the most expensive option from a material point of view to decorate the walls in the bathroom. But how many advantages:
- you can decorate a separate fragment on the wall by selecting elements of similar color;
- easily emphasize rounded surfaces;
- an indispensable material for finishing niches and partitions.
We will not remain silent about the disadvantages. Along with the extremely high cost of such finishing, we also need to talk about complex installation, with which laying ordinary ceramic tiles seems like innocent fun. In addition, you should not place the mosaic in places open to direct contact with water: the sight of constantly flowing drops on the wet glass of the mosaic elements is not the most pleasant sight, alas.
Moisture-resistant drywall
- levels walls well;
- has the necessary moisture resistance;
- needs additional protection from water.
Despite all the advantages of plasterboard sheets
, their use in the bathroom format is still of an intermediate nature. If your walls are as perfect as the Russian national football team is to win the World Cup, then using drywall will help you quickly correct this unfortunate situation. However, the wall still needs additional finishing: painting, wallpapering, MDF or any other material that is impeccable from a cosmetic point of view.
- can be used as an intermediate, so-called draft version;
- still needs protection from water, despite the “moisture resistant” label in the specification.
If you are considering drywall as an alternative to the usual ceramic tiles, then you should understand that simple installation is followed by several manipulations to bring the base from it into a “divine” form.
Lining
- pleasant relief;
- basic installation;
- unpretentious care.
MDF
in a bathroom format . In the second case, the material is reliably treated with antiseptics and does an excellent job of protecting against constant exposure to water flows. But - for the time being.
Fragility is the main disadvantage of lining. Over time, even the most durable MDF swells and loses all its attractive qualities. In order to delay this moment, owners often coat the lining with varnish. This allows the material to acquire additional decorative value by playing with reflections of light.
The lining also helps to visually enlarge the room. To do this, you need to attach it to the wall vertically. In general, this finishing option is most often typical for private houses - in the format of multi-apartment buildings, people prefer other options for decorating walls. If you decide to focus on this particular material, then an instructional article will help you: “How to attach lining to the wall.”
Linoleum
- rarely found in the interior;
- requires a prepared base;
- for walls, special specifications with a certain margin of moisture resistance are recommended;
- long service life.
Perhaps not the most popular alternative to ceramic tiles. Meanwhile, it’s completely in vain. There are linoleum options for wall decoration on sale. This is an extremely plastic and durable finishing material, which, moreover, lies without joints over the entire surface. A variety of textures and patterns helps you choose linoleum that meets your aesthetic needs - and be content with a beautiful result for more than 10 years! Ideally, of course.
Among the disadvantages of this type of bathroom finishing, we note only increased requirements for the quality of the base surface. If there are irregularities, then nothing can be done: you will have to eliminate them. However, you can consider this option: cover the wall with gypsum board sheets, and use linoleum as the final finish.
Flooring materials for bathroom finishing, except tiles
In the case of gender, there are not many options. One of them is to paint it with the same waterproof paint as the walls. The surface is first primed and plastered. There are three more cladding methods.
Linoleum
A PVC finish without a lining is suitable for the bathroom - it will definitely not get damp and there will be no mold or unpleasant odor in the room. It is advisable to purchase a semi-commercial type of coating that is more resistant to abrasion and household chemicals. Pay attention also to the anti-slip properties. They are designated by the letter R. R10 is considered safe, but the higher the value, the more expensive the coating. Perhaps it is more rational to buy regular linoleum and lay rubber mats on it in places where there is a risk of injury.
- Availability of shades and textures that imitate natural stone or wood.
- Waterproof.
- Easy to install if the room is free of furniture. If it is already standing and cannot be taken out, the task is complicated by cutting the corners.
- Additional sound insulation.
- The surface is warmer than tiles.
The main difficulty is sealing the seams and perimeter so that water does not get under them. This is done using glue or hot welding. Another disadvantage is that the floor needs to be leveled before installation. The linoleum follows the contours of the base and if there are bumps somewhere, the work will have to be done again. Cracks will appear in this place and eventually water or condensation will accumulate below.
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Laminate
To decorate a wet room with this material, you need to choose the appropriate type of laminate.
- Moisture resistant. Made from HDF board impregnated with wax and antibacterial additives. It tolerates high humidity well, but requires good ventilation and a minimum of water ingress.
- Water resistant. It has increased strength and water-repellent properties. It does not absorb moisture, even if it gets on it in large quantities.
The joints between the parts are treated with silicone sealant or wax.
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Instagram @mikset_nn
Vinyl tiles
This coating is in the form of ready-made sheets or rolls. It is durable, waterproof and looks good in almost any interior. There are wood shades on sale. The tiles do not slip, and can be washed with any usual means. Vinyl is easy to install. It can be self-adhesive, for installation with glue, or lockable.
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Instagram @remstud.ru
- Decoration Materials
4 important parameters for choosing the perfect tiles for the bathroom
Film
- still a new type of material for finishing bathroom walls;
- you can choose a wide variety of designs or patterns;
- installation is accessible even to the woman who is farthest from the nuances of repair;
- minimal costs for wall decoration.
Have you ever seen this option for finishing a bathroom? So we are not, but he, meanwhile, is. And, judging by sales, self-adhesive film is not so rare. Of course, when thinking about how to replace tiles in the bathroom, this is the last option people think about. Obviously, considering him frivolous. Yes, and it has plenty of disadvantages:
- limited service life;
- mold formation under the film after a certain period;
- fading colors and images.
But as a way to enhance the visual identity of the bathroom, this solution looks extremely nice. Of course, it requires an already decorated wall. It can be MDF, plastic, or even glass. A film is glued on top and pleases you with its appearance for a certain period of time. Probably one of the surest ways to regularly change the interior of the bathroom. And the cheapest.
Tip #1: Planning, Estimating and Finding Suppliers
The success of any business largely depends on proper planning, and renovations are no exception. Decide on the design, quantity and types of finishing materials, suppliers and who will carry out the repair work - a construction team or yourself. The last option will really help you save a lot, but only if you have experience in construction and finishing, otherwise you risk ruining the materials and throwing money away.
Competent planning and estimates are already half the battle
Porcelain tiles
- gives the room a solid and noble appearance;
- complex installation;
- water resistance and long service life.
Let’s finish our selection with the fact that the walls in the bathroom, in addition to tiles, can be decorated with tiles. Just not ordinary tile, but its heaviest version - porcelain stoneware. Let’s immediately write down the serious weight and rather complicated installation of the material on the walls as disadvantages - it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to do it yourself. However, in return for a lot of effort, you get a standard bathroom design that fully meets the spirit of the 21st century.
Tip #8: shower cabin
In a small bathroom you can install a shower. This is a good solution, especially for families with elderly people. In addition to saving on the structure itself, you will be able to reduce utility bills, since when taking a shower, water consumption is approximately 5-6 times lower compared to a bath.
An open-type design will cost you the least, since you only need a tray, a door and a special stand with a mixer and watering can, and the walls of the bathroom will serve as the cubicle. A closed shower stall will cost twice as much, but in this case there will be no need to tile the walls.
Shower stall reduces water consumption
