Key takeaways
- Tile gives you unlimited design choices
- Panels have fewer joints and are faster to install
- Waterproofing matters more than the surface
- Both can look great when installed well
Both options can give you a beautiful, lasting shower. The right one depends on how you want it to look and how you want to care for it.
Tile: the custom choice
Tile offers endless color, size and pattern, plus niches, benches and curbless designs that are built to fit. It takes longer to install and has grout to maintain, but you get a shower that is yours alone.
Panels: the low-maintenance choice
Large panels have few seams and nothing to scrub, and they install faster. Patterns can look like marble or stone. Shapes and features are more limited.
Waterproofing comes first
A shower is only as good as what is behind it. Whether you choose tile or panels, the walls, pan and seams need proper waterproofing and drainage.
Make the choice that fits you
If you love a pattern or want a custom shape, choose tile. If you want a quick, easy-care update, panels are a strong option.
Services that can help
- Custom Tile Showers: A shower built from the pan up, in the tile, size and shape you choose.
- Shower Wall Panels and Surrounds: Seamless wall panels for tubs and showers, with fewer joints and quick, tidy installation.
- Shower Waterproofing and Pans: The hidden layers that keep a shower from leaking: sloped pans, membranes and tested drains.
Common questions
Is tile more durable than panels?
Both are durable when installed correctly. Tile has more design flexibility, and panels have fewer joints to maintain.
Can panels look like real tile?
Many panels have convincing tile and stone patterns. We bring samples so you can see them in your light.
Questions about your own bathroom? Call or text 615-357-7797 or try our free tools.