Porcelain panels on shower walls

2 years ago

Planning to remodel master bath and wife likes to have no grout lines in the shower walls. She saw these thin porcelain panels which come in pretty big size that you can install them all the way to the ceiling. Problem is find installers who know about them and done that kind of work. I tried to search here and don't find much information. I do see suggestions of solid surfaces but to me they look boring, so in case we can't find any good local installers, the other option would be 12x24 tiles. What do you suggest? Thanks.

Featured Answer

PRO

Mint tile Minneapolis

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

As CTEC states look at the MFG installer list.

However, weve got A young gun here in Mpls. He went and took a 2 day class and hes now A pro! ive heard some good stories about the installs.....He was subbing to the NTCA ambassador as well LOL ... referred by A store/tile vendor he spends money with too.

At the end of the day its hard to even trust a supposed "Certified" installer.....

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Comments (10)

Sue 430
2 years ago
We tried everything to get a nice upscale grout free shower. it is just riduculously expensive, we considered quartz, porcelain slabs and glass panels. it was going to run us about 15k more than other options. we have decided to go instead with 24x48 porcelain tiles. we are trying to get as maintenance free as possible
chispa
2 years ago
Find a line of porcelain tiles that has a bigger selection of sizes available. My Floor tile will be 24x24 and the shower tiles will be 30x30. This brand had larger ones, up to 47" x 109", but the sizes I used seemed manageable for an average tile setter.

Ideally you would pick the tile and build the shower wall dimensions around the tile to minimize tile cuts and have whole tiles fit perfectly ... easier said than done!
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Bobby A
Original Author
2 years ago
@Sue 430 - I had another contractor come and it looks like the only option is staying with large format tiles like you mentioned.
Bobby A
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks @chispa.
PRO
Creative Tile Eastern CT
2 years ago
Gauged porcelain tile panels (GPTP) require installers to be certified. Manufactures, Distributors NTCA will have a list of certified installers. Labor will range from $30 to $65 per square foot.
just_janni
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
I've looked at everything. here's 3 more options (one with a huge caveat!):

1. Panels from innovatebuildingsolutions.com - panels like this have been used in Europe for years. I considered the acrylic but they don't have anything over 8' tall and I didn't want a seem. I also didn't do testing on how easily this might scratch.

2. Shower wallpaper - company from Italy, repped out of FLorida. Considered it - so many design options - but worried I couldn't find a really good installer and I wouldn't have taken on wallpapering myself.

3. My current solution is using painted aluminum poly core signboard material over a prepped paterproofed shower, and then, over the signboard, I am going to have a car wrap company print and apply a custom designed "wrap" over the baked on enamel finish of the signboard. Sounds complicated, but it really isn't. If it works (ha!) might have a new business! Design options are limitless. This is a total "new idea" and I have not heard of anyone ever doing this - so it's a gamble - but it's also not recket science.

I tried for thin porcelain panels but frankly - too boring. How many shades of grey, tan and marble look can you have across 15 manufacturers?

Should be installed withing 2-3 months.
tartanmeup
2 years ago
@just_janni, the shower wallpaper option was done by a forum member fairly recently. Absolutely stunning result. Hope they don't mind my linking to their thread: Sochi - Shower Wallpaper

Your painted aluminum poly core signboard option reminds me of Muraluxe's offering. Good luck with your shower install!
just_janni
2 years ago
tartanmeup - I love Sochi's shower wallpaper. I had a quote and everything - but couldn't easily find an installer.

And ha! I hadn't seen the Muraluxe site before - looks Canadian - may not have a local outlet but I like he idea. I also investigated the super large format printing option and was about $1K per panel and msot of the applications I had would need 3-4 panels, and that would be more than I wanted to spend (and that didn't inculde materials)

Hoping my idea works well and if I tire of any of the designs - it will be about $1K to change the wrap in the future.
tartanmeup
2 years ago
At the end of the day its hard to even trust a supposed "Certified" installer.....

Yup. I'm realizing this the more I research build methods and talk to contractors. And product guarantees are essentially worthless as companies seem to always find a way to point the finger to the installer.