Soak Up These 5 Waterproof Bathroom Wall Options

When designing a bathroom, there are a lot of details you must consider in order to make it not only look stylish but also functional. Like in the kitchen, water is a prevalent element in bathrooms, even more so considering how they are used for taking care of personal business and washing up. A big problem with water is that it can and will damage your interior over time, so it’s crucial to take certain measures in order to prevent extensive damage or at the very least increase the longevity of your bathroom’s interior.

If you happen to be renovating your bathroom, then it’s the perfect time to consider waterproofing your walls. They are among the most vulnerable parts of your bathroom and take up the largest surface area in the room. This means that they are bound to get damaged by water at some point. But this is why waterproof bathroom walls exist, able to shrug off moisture damage like it’s nothing. There are several bathroom wall waterproofing solutions at your disposal, all of which work in their own unique way to ensure that moisture causes as little damage to your walls as possible. 

Tiled Walls

The Traditional Bathroom Wall Option That Is Beloved by Homeowners Everywhere

Be they ceramic, porcelain, or pretty much any other kind of tile out there, this is one of your best waterproof options for bathroom walls. Let’s first get the stylistic advantages out of the way — there are a metric ton of tile options out there, anything from the basic square ones to sleek and contemporary hexagonal. You will surely find something that fits your stylistic preferences and has absolutely no trouble creating personalized bathroom wall tiles.

As far as water damage is concerned — you don’t have to worry about tiled walls giving in to the moisture. Tiles make for great bathroom walls as they barely absorb any water at all. Their glossy and smooth surfaces prevent water drops from even setting on the surface, let alone seep into them or cause damage. Don’t expect to see any kind of water damage with tiled walls. There is one very important aspect of tiles to take into account which is grout. This is the filling that lines the voids between the tiles, keeping them in place and acting as structural support.

Grout is prone to getting dirty and staining; all kinds of dirt and gunk can build up as well. If you happen to have pristine white tiles, there is nothing more unattractive than yellowed and grey grout that mars the otherwise bright walls. But there are ways to protect your tile grout with special grout finishes, some of which are waterproof and even impact resistant.

Water-Resistant Wallpaper

Apply Classic Wallpaper in Your Bathroom

While tiles are a staple of bathroom walls thanks to their water-resistant properties, not all homeowners are fond of their appearance and texture. For those who hunger for a more classic look in their bathroom and want a cozier interior, there is water-resistant wallpaper on the market. Bathroom tile walls can be very attractive and make for gorgeous bathroom interiors, but they can be a little sterile and somewhat cold. But wallpaper brings those Victorian or Gothic era vibes into the bathroom and still offers the same practical advantages as tiles.

Water-resistant wallpaper can shrug off moisture damage such as staining and bloating, something that standard wallpaper is not capable of. There are various kinds of installation options for bathroom wallpaper, the most convenient ones being the peel and stick. All you have to do is peel them off their protective covers and stick them onto the walls. The one issue with wallpapers as a whole, not just the water-resistant kind, is that they will require more maintenance than tiles. While they may be resistant to water damage, they are not entirely scratch-proof and can be damaged. Scratches and chips will require mending and refacing, but if you don’t mind the occasional maintenance, wallpaper is also a great option for bathroom interiors. 

Gypsum Lining

The Wonders of Gypsum and Why It’s Great in Bathrooms

While gypsum wallboards are water-resistant, there are so many more reasons to buy them. They are heat resistant, which means that even if you like to take showers with boiling water, these walls will take the heat without a problem. They are also soundproof, which means you can have your shower singing sessions without bothering the household or the neighborhood. Waterproof drywall for showers and bathrooms is a great way to keep the walls in one piece, without paying for extensive repairs and maintenance.

Gypsum is also quite affordable and relatively easy to install. These waterproof wall panels are manufactured by many brands, so there are all kinds of styles and designs that will suit your tastes. 

Acrylic Walls

A Unique Bathroom Interior Aesthetic With Acrylic Walls

Acrylic walls are a mainstay in sleek and modern interiors. They are big, glossy surfaces that look like glass, but are often made of very strong plastic. You can find many colors of acrylic walls, as well as some unique shapes and ornamentations that work well in many bathroom interiors. A huge advantage of acrylic walls is their low maintenance. Since they are a single pane of slick plastic, they are very easy to clean and retain their colors quite well over the years. As easy as they are to clean, they are not the most durable bathroom wall option. They are susceptible to scratches by sharp objects and can be damaged if the impact is strong enough. The unfortunate part of this is that since they are a single pane of plastic, you will need to replace the entire acrylic pane if it does get damaged.

Fortunately, acrylic walls are quite affordable, so even if you do need to replace them, it won’t put much of a dent in your budget. In general, these waterproof wall panels for bathroom interiors can last for up to 10 years, which means you won’t have to worry about replacing them too often unless you regularly wash your sledgehammer in the shower. Additionally, the installation of acrylic walls is super easy. They are lightweight and can be installed without professional help, as long as their wall connectors are already in place. And along with having different styles and colors, they also come in various ranges of transparency. So, if you wish to give your shower unit a bit more privacy, you can install an acrylic pane that is less transparent than the other ones. 

Stone Wall

Slick, Yet Earthy Stone Wall Bathroom Tiles Are Always a Good Idea

Incorporating earthiness and natural textures into the bathroom is possible with stone walls. Natural stone is waterproof and aside from a little staining in the form of white chalky water residue, they are not vulnerable to much moisture damage. Another advantage to stone walls is that they are very durable thanks to how dense they are. However, this comes at a cost, since they are very heavy, which makes them difficult to install without a professional. Add to that the fact that stone walls tend to be very expensive and you find yourself greatly increasing your bathroom renovation budget.

Stone bathroom walls can cost several thousand dollars to install, with the cheaper options orbiting around the $1,000 mark. The nationwide average price that is paid for stone bathroom walls is around $4,000. But when you consider how gorgeous they look, their natural rough texture juxtaposed with sleek modern interior elements, stone walls are definitely worth it. And they also last for a very long time, with the average lifespan of stone walls being around 15 years.