Moisture, both from direct tub and shower overspray as well as moisture-laden air, is devastating for bathroom walls. Even the most well-ventilated bathrooms can still have moisture issues. So whether you’re renovating a bathroom or designing one from scratch, it’s important to take into consideration all the pros and cons of different bathroom wall surfaces.
Tiles
Tiles, especially ceramic tiles, are a classic choice for bathroom walls. With tile, as long as it is properly applied, moisture will never be a problem. Grout lines can create patterns that can either enhance or detract from the bathroom’s appearance. Too many tiles can make a room feel busy, sterile, and even depressing. A solution for both your style and budget concerns would be to partially tile the bathroom walls.
Vinyl wallpaper
Vinyl wallpaper works best for indirect, ambient moisture. There are, however, some vinyl wallpapers that will withstand direct contact from water, such as in a shower stall. If you want to make a bold statement, vinyl wallpaper is a great option especially in a powder room.
Bathroom paint
Bathroom paint is regular interior paint that has properties that make it better suited for bathrooms. This is perhaps the most cost-effective solution to choosing a bathroom wall. Designated bathroom paint, which can cost up to twice the amount of regular acrylic-latex interior paint, is far cheaper than using wallpaper, tile, or other hard surfaces.
Beadbaord
Beadboard gives your bathroom a classic look. Beadboard provides only partial coverage for the lower half of a bathroom wall. Beadboard can be painted with semi-gloss or glossy paint, which thoroughly protects the lower parts of the walls against moisture.
Tileboard
Tileboard comes in large format panels that are relatively cheap and easy to install. This type of surface fixes wall problems quickly but adds little long-term value to your home.
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