Once the traditional bathroom as we know it came to be, its design remained fairly stagnant for many years. Bathtubs were standard fixtures, often paired with wall mounted shower nozzles for convenience. The toilet was standard in design as well, offering very little choice with regards to variety. Bathroom sinks were extremely plain and porcelain, occasionally found in a colored ceramic for a slight variation. More recently, however, consumers have realized that bathrooms can be beautiful, as well as functional. This trend is evident in designs such as vessel sinks, wall hung toilets, and walk in showers. With the shower units, in particular, it is often the shower panels comprising the enclosure themselves that help to create the visual appeal of the overall unit.
What Is A Walk In Shower?
Not all bathrooms need be equipped with full bathing facilities, while others are better served with dual bathing units. In both of these cases, walk in showers are typically the solution that most consumers turn to. A walk in shower is essentially a stand alone shower unit that is mounted up against either one or two of the walls in a bathrooms and surrounded by shower wall panels. The panels mounted to the bathroom wall can be classified as shower wall panels as well, making it crucial that you do your research in advance when considering a new purchase. Most walk in shower enclosures are designed to be installed in the corner of the bathroom, being comprised of two exterior panels and two interior panels. Some designs, however, are mounted in the center of a a bathroom, possessing three exterior panels and only one interior panel.
Exterior Shower Panels Vs. Interior Shower Panels
Exterior Shower Panels
Exterior shower wall panels can be made from a variety of materials and can also be found in a range of design options. The exterior panels are those that separate the shower are from the bathroom area. These panels serve both to support the framework of the shower unit, as well as create a barrier to protect the area surrounding the unit from water. They are typically transparent in design, but can be found in other styles as well. The exterior panels are also what incorporate the door to the shower unit. In some cases, variations of these panels can be mounted onto standard bathtubs, offering a more permanent solution to the standard shower curtain for bathtub and shower combination units. This trend has faded somewhat over the years, however, with more consumers moving towards the full walk in shower design.
Interior Shower Panels
Interior shower panels, on the other hand, are those that attach the shower unit to the walls (or wall) of the bathroom. The interior panels are often connected to the walls with a combination of mounting brackets and adhesive. For standard units, they are created with the appropriate holes precut to accommodate the shower head as well as the water control levers. For more high end units, the interior panels can be fitted with a range of water delivery options. These include massaging water jets built into the wall, rain effect units, and other unique designs. They can also include built in convenience items, such as soap dishes, small storage shelves, and other common shower fixtures.
What Are Exterior Shower Panels Made From?
There are two common materials that shower panels can be made from, glass and plexiglass. These materials are preferred because of their durability, as well as their versatility when it comes to being formed into large sheets. Consumers tend to choose which type of panel suits their needs best based on a variety of deciding factors, including price, visual appeal, and personal preference.
Glass Exterior Shower Panels
A glass shower panel is typically preferred in higher end designs and frameless shower systems. The glass used for these panels is a form of tempered safety glass, chemically altered during production to increase durability and improve safety. The panels tend to be very thick, lending to their higher impact resistance. Glass shower panels can be transparent and either clear or tinted to a variety of subtle of bold colors. They can also be frosted, either completely or partially, in order to provide the bather with more privacy.
Plexiglass Exterior Shower Panels
Plexiglass panels are essentially a thick, heavy duty plastic like material. Plexiglass shower panels can provide all of the same benefits as glass panels, however, they tend to be much more affordable. Because their appearance tends to be slightly lower in quality than that of glass panels, they are more commonly found in lower end shower units. Plexiglass panels are ideal for use in guest bathrooms or secondary bathrooms where the functionality of a walk in shower is desired, but the design budget tends to be somewhat more restrictive than that of a master bathroom.
What Are Interior Shower Panels Made From?
Acrylic Interior Shower Panels
The most common material used for fabricating interior shower wall panels is acrylic. Acrylic panels are not only affordable, they are also quite versatile in their design capabilities. The material can be molded into nearly any shape, making it suitable for walk in shower designs of any shape or size. The majority of acrylic panels are fabricated in solid colors, however, certain mixtures can be used to offer a more marbled appearance.
Tiled Interior Shower Panels
For consumers who prefer a more customized appearance, some panels are simply a backing board that are meant to be tiled over once installed. The visual customization options that tiled surfaces offer give consumers more control over the finished product’s appearance. Tiled surfaces can be done in a solid design, or in a variety of tile designs to create unique patterns and color combinations. Tiles are also made in various shapes and sizes, offering even more customizable options. This style of shower wall panel also offers the most choices with regards to actual materials being used, as tiles can be purchased that are made from porcelain, ceramic, granite, or a number of other materials designed to meet a range of budgets.
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