5 Reasons to Choose Stone Panels For Your Shower Remodel
If you’re about to begin a bathroom remodeling project for your home in southern New Hampshire or Maine, you’ve got some big decisions ahead of you. Knowing what products will best meet your goals for both functionality and design can be challenging. When it comes time to decide what type of shower walls you want, the question is—standard tile or stone panels? While tile shower walls may be the default choice for many, the benefits of stone panels are remarkable and definitely worth considering.
What are stone panels?
Stone panels are solid-surface wall panels that are made of engineered stone. They are created by combining man-made stone and epoxy or resin. That substance is then compression-molded into a solid surface. Swanstone, Tere-stone, and Syn-Mar all manufacture stone panels that are excellent for shower walls and come in various finishes, colors, and designs. They’re popular not only for shower walls but also for tub surrounds and vanities. They’re versatile, too. Stone panel showers come in many standard designs as well as virtually endless custom options. They can include benches or not, shower nooks or not, and can be fitted into almost any shower design. Should you choose stone panels for your shower remodel? Keep reading to discover why they may be the best option for you.
Reason #1: Stone panels are easy to install
When your bathroom is getting remodeled, speed is super important. It’s hard to live for long in a home with a bathroom that’s out of commission. Stone panel showers are much quicker to install than tile. Instead of putting up backer board, applying thinset, cutting and installing tile, and then grouting and sealing for traditional tile, the process of installing a stone panel shower includes simply gluing or nailing the walls in place (depending on what is behind them). It’s a quick process—on average it takes us 3-6 days—and that means you get the use of your bathroom back faster.
Reason #2: Stone panels are easy to clean
If you’re tired of trying to clean dirty grout lines in your tile shower, a stone panel shower may be the answer you’re looking for. Grout is a porous surface, so water will eventually get into it and cause mildew to grow. Because of this, it’s hard to keep grout looking clean and fresh. With stone panel showers, this is never a concern. The flat, grout-less design means that all you have to do to clean it is spray it with a non-abrasive cleaner, and wipe it down with a soft cloth. If you prefer the more traditional look of grout lines there are stone panel showers available that mimic the look without the mess! Swanstone has a product called EverGrout that has textured grout lines built into the design of the shower wall. It’s the best of both worlds.
Reason #3: Stone panels last forever
Stone panels are incredibly durable. Because they are solid pieces with few or no seams, they’re leak-proof. If you’ve ever had to deal with water damage due to cracked tiles or grout failure, you will rest easy knowing that your shower is completely water-tight. Stone panels are also heat-resistant, up to 450 degrees. So if you choose Swanstone, Tere-stone, or Syn-Mar for your vanity as well, you don’t have to worry about scorch marks from a curling iron or straightener. Stone panels are up to ten times stronger than other solid materials, resisting cracks and abrasions. They are more durable than either granite or marble. One huge benefit of stone panel shower walls is that the color runs throughout, unlike laminated panels where the color is only on the first layer. This means that any scratches can be buffed out easily and your shower will continue to look as good as new. A stone panel shower will last a lifetime.
Reason #4: Stone panels look gorgeous
Stone panel showers are beautiful. They are sleek and stylish and can fit into almost any bathroom style. There are so many choices available that you really can get any type of shower that you like. Swanstone offers everything from smooth finishes, to concrete-looking panels, to walls that look like subway tiles–traditional small tiles, or more modern large ones. Tere-stone specializes in high-luster finishes that never lose their glossy look, and also offers panels that look like real stone, but are more durable and, of course, waterproof (unlike real stone that would have to be sealed). And Syn-Mar has beautiful marbled designs. You can use subway tiles, marble-look finishes, or lighter colors if you want a more traditional bathroom. You can match your shower walls to a stone panel vanity and shower base and make a contemporary wet room bathroom. Or you can use dark colors and smooth walls to design a striking, modern bathroom. Any style of bathroom can be supported by stone panel shower walls.
Reason #5: Stone panels can be used in other places
You can use stone panels in a bathroom just about anywhere you’d use tile. Matching your shower to your vanity and tub surround is a great option for a cohesive, easy-to-maintain, durable bathroom that will serve you well for many years. You can even use stone panels for decorative bathroom (or mudroom, or laundry room) walls, making it easy to clean the area and protecting your home from potential water damage. Design options include beadboard, pebble finishes, geometric shapes, and much more.
Considering a bathroom remodel?
Stone panel showers are a great choice for many bathroom remodels. From the quick installation process to the many styles and features available, to the durability and longevity of the product, you can’t lose with stone panel showers.
If you’re considering this option and want more information, give us a call. We’d love to discuss your ideas for your bathroom and help you bring your vision into reality.
