This article sees Freefoam Building Products talk about the latest trends in bathroom and kitchen waterproof panels…
Light, easy to handle and fit, interior cladding or ‘panelling’ systems are increasingly in demand for home makeovers. Although they’ve been available for many years and used extensively in social housing, education settings, leisure centres and holiday parks, it’s only in the last five years that they’ve become more fashionable with homeowners. Higher-end designs have been developed in line with new interior trends to give people a choice of colours and textures.
There are a variety of interior panels on the market now – ranging from MDF, fibre cement, PVC, and composites – and most can be fitted to any interior wall to quickly refurbish and redecorate bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms – even home offices and garden studios. Some panels can also be fitted on ceilings for a wet room that’s fully waterproof from all angles.
Aidan Harte, CEO of Freefoam Building Products, comments: “Fitters should look for tongue-and-groove panel systems which slot together well and can be rendered waterproof with sealant over the joints.
“Wider panels mean fewer joints on a larger surface, while some systems offer panels that are shower-sized for an even quicker job. Most panels can be applied over almost any surface (including existing tiles), with little preparation – and crucially no messy grouting.
“PVC panels are particularly easy to fit and handle, and durable too. We offer a 5-year guarantee on Geo-panel®, for example, with little-to-no maintenance required.”
Tiles or panels?
While tiles will always be popular, panels have a number of advantages for homeowners and builders. They can be fitted in 1 – 2 days, providing a hygienic and waterproof finish, without grouting (which can take up to 72 hours to dry, and foster mould growth). You don’t need to spend time and money on using a specialist tiler because installing panels is well within the scope of the typical builder.
Stuart Barber is the owner of Telford-based bathroom renovation company S B Plumbing, which sources shower panels via Freefoam stockist General Building Plastics in Shrewsbury.
He comments: “While we previously installed traditional ceramic tiles, we have since transitioned to using PVC internal shower panels.
“These panels have become our go-to solution, as they offer a wide variety of colours and finishes, along with the major benefit of easy fitting and cleaning – no grout required! Our homeowner clients consistently prefer them for both their aesthetics and low maintenance. We get direct-to-site delivery which is much more convenient too.”
Matt Wedderkopp, Director of General Building Plastics – an independent stockist with six branches in the Midlands, adds: “We have been supplying interior panels for many years but could see the growing opportunities for fuss-free fitted wall coverings.
“In the last 18 months we’ve put a real focus on their promotion, highlighting the smart new contemporary colour options. We’ve also made the strategic decision to hold stock in all six branches, giving plumbers, builders and home improvement companies easy access to the range across the Midlands.
“We’re really pleased to see sales increase month on month and the Freefoam Geo-panel range has become a significant part of our portfolio of PVC building products.”
On-trend finishes
White and light grey marble effects have always been popular and probably still represent the majority of the market, but there’s definitely more call for earthier, warmer colours in the last year or so – particularly taupe and sandy shades.
There’s been a strong move in interior décor towards richer browns and ‘greiges’ that shows no sign of abiding, led by consumer magazines including Homes&Gardens and Ideal Home, and Pantone® announcing its colour of 2025 ‘Mocha Mousse’.
Freefoam stockists say builders and their homeowners are looking for different textures too, such as matt concretes or natural stone, or even subtle metallics.
Ian Ironmonger, of Building Plastics on Demand (BPOD), Gravesend, Kent, comments: “We offer eight colour choices of Geo-panel®, and it’s been a huge success. Our installer customers love the variety of finishes. It’s easy to install and with no grouting, it saves tilers time and money. It’s really become a go-to product for both tradespeople and homeowners.
“People are also influenced by trends on Instagram or Pinterest where panels seem to be featured more often now. They could be spending £20K/thousands on a bathroom suite so they want what’s on the walls to have that same high-end look, but they can also easily change it if they want something different in a few years.”
Tile finishes are also available for those who prefer a traditional look but without the inconvenience of grouting; some of the latest Freefoam Geo-panel® options feature a routed ‘3D’ groove that looks and feels like tiles.
Martin Bell is the founder of Bell Trades – his company covers Kent and south east London, and specialises in kitchen and bathroom refurbishments as well as full house renovations.
He comments: “Our customers can’t get enough of panels. There will always be a place for tiles but panels are so quick and easy to use; you can transform a space in just a day or two, with a great range of options.”
For more on Freefoam Building Products and its Geo-panel® internal panelling system, visit www.freefoam.com/professional.
