Commercial washrooms endure heavy footfall, but as Amanda Mills of Kinedo highlights, bathroom wall panels can provide the necessary durability, maintenance and waterproofing characteristics, along with some glamorous aesthetics.
Heavy usage in any hotel, camp site, gym or other sports facility is likely to take its toll on not only the water delivery systems but also the decorative walls surrounding them. To maintain a stunning, clean, and hygienic appearance at all times, it is imperative business owners, and the architects tasked with designing the washrooms, explore the best options on the market.
Offering an easy to clean, and long-lasting alternative to the more traditional tiling that has been utilised in UK washrooms for decades, bathroom wall panels are increasingly becoming a viable option for architects and property owners wanting style, durability, and impermeability in just one product.
This is especially important given the thousands of people using these showers, baths, and washrooms on a daily basis. For instance, around 10 million people in the UK are members of a gym, and with 76% of users visiting the gym at least twice a week, those washrooms are likely to see high levels of foot traffic – increasing the pressure on the wall panels to remain clean, hygienic, and aesthetically pleasing.
Devloping products with the materials to ensure longevity
When designing a washroom in a new commercial facility or when undertaking a comprehensive renovation of an existing washroom, the specification of the most hard-wearing and durable yet stylish materials is paramount.
Made from the finest polyethylene and aluminium, bathroom wall panels are a stunning addition to any washroom without compromising on impermeability, durability, or longevity.
In fact, with polyethylene being 100% waterproof, bathroom wall panels are typically longer-lasting and more durable than the tiling alternatives, making them a cost effective and reliable option for architects and property owners specifying a product that’s truly built to last.
Additionally, their impermeability means a reduced risk of water damage or mould growth, meaning cleaning is quick, simple, and cheap.
Reducing repair & replacements – saving time & money
With the UK currently in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, property owners, especially those in hospitality, are looking to reduce expenditure where possible. Often, unexpected costs relating to maintenance, repairs, or replacements can be some of the most expensive, increasing the importance of utilising trusted products and materials.
Offering impressive impermeability – thereby greatly reducing the risk of leaks – and designed to withstand whatever life in a busy commercial bathroom or washroom can throw at them, bathroom wall panels are designed to very rarely require extensive maintenance programmes. As a result, property owners can avoid having to spend potentially vast sums of money on costly repairs or replacements.
As many hotel, gym, sports facility, or other commercial building owners know, having washrooms or bathrooms out of action while they are being renovated or repaired can not only irritate guests, it can also cost them vital income. This, therefore, exacerbates the need for long-lasting and trusted products that are resistant to scratches and knocks and don’t need replacing or repairing regularly.
Versatility
Able to be cut onsite and then quickly and easily installed, bathroom wall panels have versatility and flexibility in abundance.
Adaptable enough to be applied on any wall, including awkward areas on corners or around vanity units, bathroom wall panels can be fitted on top of existing panels, wall tiles, or painted walls, making them a stylish yet simple alternative to the more commonly-used bathroom tiling.
Stunning designs to suit any washroom environment
With a myriad of stylish colours, finishes, and designs available, bathroom wall panels are the ideal addition to any commercial washroom. No matter whether the washroom is traditional or modern in style, the wall panels can be tailored to suit.
This gives architects and property owners the flexibility and opportunity to design their washrooms with years of use in mind, knowing that the wall panels won’t go out of style and will retain their aesthetically pleasing appearance for many years.
The appearance of the wall panels, and indeed the washroom as a whole, also plays a vital role in the guest or visitor’s opinion on the facility. With that in mind, utilising a stylish and highly durable design can ensure a more enjoyable showering or bathing experience and an increased likelihood of that individual returning again in the future.
While typically costing less to maintain and clean, wall panels are also often cheaper to purchase than tiles. In fact, as they are able to be cut down to size on site to suit any specific dimensions, wall panels are quicker and cheaper to install – typically ending up around three times cheaper than tiling.
This cost efficiency offers a crucial solution to money-conscious commercial property owners, especially with the UK remaining in the grip of financial constraints.
With the appearance of a commercial bathroom or washroom just as important as efficiency of the water systems, utilising wall panels as an alternative to traditional tiling is an opportunity architects, property developers, and one that owners should not pass up – especially when panels offer the flexibility, durability, and impermeability that other options cannot.
Amanda Mills is marketing manager at Kinedo