Whilst bathroom panels are by no means new to the market, the advancement in technologies in recent years has meant that they are increasingly in demand, thanks to the many benefits they offer to both installers and consumers. Could bathroom panels therefore be the new go-to surfacing solution for installers?

From a completely waterproof core, and quick fit installation that doesn’t require specialist tools, meaning time can be saved on projects, to grout-free panels that replicate the most beautiful marble, stone and wood-inspired designs, bathroom panels are fast becoming a fierce competitor to rival the longstanding popular tiles and natural stones of the industry.

Mermaid Panels, Europe’s leading bathroom panel supplier for the past 30 years, has set out to create the next generation of bathroom surfaces with its premium Mermaid Elite range.

This Winter, Mermaid will expand its Elite range with 28 new decors to provide its most technically advanced, and most diverse range of bathroom panels to date. Enriched with patented technology, the Elite range can enable installers to create a completely seamless, premium look and finish in the shower enclosure and throughout the bathroom in a quick-fit, panel solution that oozes luxury – without the price tag.

Thanks to a completely 100% waterproof core and artistic post-formed edges that add a unique design detail, and remove the need for trims or grouting, Mermaid Panels’ Elite range are a perfect alternative to tiling. Fixing securely and directly to existing surfaces including plaster board and even existing tiling, Mermaid’s Elite range ensures no unsightly grouting, no mould, and a much quicker installation. Using a tongue and groove system to create a join that will remain watertight, fitters can create a smooth, seamless, and uniform finish.

The new designs also include seven tile effect panels. Specifically designed to align like tiles when the panels are fixed together, the design continues faultlessly without interruption, which in turn ensures a seamless finish but also ease of installation.

Available in three sizes, Mermaid Panels can be sold separately or as part of a two- or three-sided kit that comes complete with adhesive and sealant for an easy one-box solution that has everything an installer will need. 

Not only can working with bathroom panels speed up the installation time for a project but in the current climate where installers are in increasingly high demand to fulfil the backlog of projects, following COVID-19 lockdowns, bathroom panels can help to diversify a fitter’s skillset, and increase their product offering to customers. Bathroom panels such as Mermaid’s Elite range don’t require a specialist tiler or fitter to install the panels – with only a drill, circular saw, and a jig saw required, any professional tradesperson can easily carry out the work.

Three creative ways to use bathroom panels in your upcoming projects:
Whilst the most popular applications for bathroom panels are within the shower enclosure or wall-to-wall throughout the entire bathroom space, panels offer far more flexibility in their application, and can enable installers to offer more creative, bespoke looking designs for their customers’ projects if required.

• Replace the bath panel
  Modern bathroom design is all about creating harmony throughout the space. So why not coordinate the shower enclosure and bath surround with matching bathroom panels? Mermaid Panels can be cut to the size required and affixed to the side of the bathtub, adding a unique focal piece for the overall bathroom aesthetic.
• Half-wall panels
  Panelling throughout the home has taken the interiors world by storm over the last few years, and, in the bathroom, this trend is also very prevalent. A half wall panel runs along the bottom half of the wall, and is typically paired with painted walls on the upper half. The postformed edges on Elite panels create a perfect polished finish for this look. As the trend for wellness continues to play a huge role in the design of our bathrooms, this aesthetic can be more minimalistic and subtle, and create more warmth within the space.
• Box out pipework for concealed cisterns
  Bathroom panels are often only considered for the wet zone areas such as the bath and shower, and can be completely overlooked for other applications within the bathroom such as boxing out pipework. More and more customers are preferring pipework for their showers and toilets to be concealed, nowadays, for easier cleaning, increased space, and a more streamlined design.