PVC vs. SPC Wet Wall Panels: A Detailed Comparison

When it comes to modern yet affordable bathroom renovations, wet wall panels have emerged as a stylish and practical alternative to traditional tiles. With this shift, the debate between PVC and SPC wet wall panels has become increasingly relevant.

As we continue to explore wet wall panel materials, today we turn our attention to SPC wet wall panelling and, more specifically, how they compare to our PVC panels. From their superior durability and cost-efficiency to the vast array of design choices available, we’ll guide you through each aspect, ensuring you’re well-equipped to choose the right panels for your space.

Join us as we compare PVC wet wall panels with SPC wet wall panels. Hopefully, you’ll discover why PVC might be the ideal solution for your renovation needs.

Material Overview: PVC and SPC Panels

At Wet Wall Works, we’re passionate about offering you the best solutions for your bathroom renovations. Today, we’re comparing two of the most competitive wall panel materials: PVC and SPC. Both have their unique advantages, but it’s essential to understand which one aligns with your renovation goals.

PVC wall panelling is celebrated for its reliability and cost-effectiveness. Made from 10mm rigid PVC with a decorative face, they are designed to last and offer a practical yet stylish finish to any wet area. With a tongue-and-groove interlocking system, they ensure a near-seamless join between panels, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your space. PVC’s resistance to caustics, mineral oil, and foodstuffs and its low susceptibility to hard water scale formation, alongside a Group 1 class fire and smoke rating, makes it a safe and durable option for domestic and commercial use.

On the flip side, SPC (Stone Polymer Composite) panels present a modern approach to wet area renovations. Made from a mix of limestone powder and stabilisers, they are water-resistant, fire-retardant, and incredibly durable. While they share the waterproof capabilities of PVC, SPC panelling is often chosen for its specific features that cater to a contemporary design ethos. However, weighing these features against cost and longevity is important when considering overall value.

Comparison of Key Features

Let’s look at these feature comparisons in more detail:

Waterproofing

One thing is clear: both PVC and SPC panels excel in providing 100% waterproof capabilities. This makes them ideal choices for high-moisture areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. The assurance of waterproofing means you can trust either material to protect your walls from moisture damage, mould, and mildew, ensuring a clean, healthy environment for your home or business.

Learn more about our waterproof wall panels.

Cost

Let’s talk numbers. Our PVC panelling ranges from $149 to $179, equating to approximately $74 per square metre. This pricing reflects not just the quality of the product but also its value over time, considering its durability and ease of maintenance. On the other hand, the SPC panels we’re comparing against are priced at $235.00 for a 1.22m x 3m tile, which works out to around $64 per square metre. While SPC might appear slightly more cost-effective per square metre, both are still very affordable tile alternatives for a bathroom renovation.

Warranty

When it comes to giving your spaces a makeover, peace of mind is just as important as design style. That’s why we stand proudly behind our PVC wall panelling with a solid 10-year warranty at Wet Wall Works. This commitment surpasses what you’ll typically find in the market for SPC panels, where warranties can vary significantly, ranging from 5 to 10 years, depending on the manufacturer. Our 10-year warranty reflects our confidence in the durability and longevity of our PVC panels. We promise that your investment is not just for the ‘now’ but for a decade of style, functionality, and peace of mind.

Design Variety

We understand that everyone has unique tastes and styles, especially when designing their dream bathroom. Wet Wall Works caters to this diversity with an extensive range of designs and styles in our PVC wet wall panel range. Whether you envision a sleek, modern look, a classic, timeless design, or something entirely unique, our collection has something for everyone. This variety is in stark contrast to SPC wet wall panels’ more limited design options.

Explore our wet wall panel designs.

Applications

Both PVC and SPC panels offer fantastic versatility and are suitable for various applications, including bathrooms, showers, kitchens, and laundries. This adaptability means enjoying these panels’ waterproof, durable benefits throughout multiple areas of your home or commercial space. Whether you’re updating a busy family bathroom, adding a touch of elegance to your kitchen splashback, or fitting out a commercial laundry, both PVC and SPC wall panelling can rise to the challenge. However, with our wet wall panels, you get the added benefits of a longer warranty, more design choices, and quality assurance from a brand that genuinely cares about your satisfaction.

Thickness

When it comes to selecting the right panels for your space, thickness plays a crucial role in durability and the overall finish and feel of the installation. At Wet Wall Works, our PVC wall panels boast a robust thickness of 10mm. This substantial thickness contributes to their sturdiness, insulation properties, and luxurious feel, ensuring your walls look great and are built to last. On the other hand, SPC panels typically range between 4-6mm in thickness. While they offer a sleek profile, the difference in thickness can impact their feel and durability. Choosing our thicker PVC panels means choosing a product designed for style and longevity.

Weight

Understanding the practical aspects of renovation, like the weight of materials, is essential for planning and installation. Our PVC panels weigh between 9-11kg per panel, a testament to their quality and robustness. This lightweight design ensures they are manageable for installation while reflecting the density and durability of the material. As for SPC panels, the weight is not specified, but it’s important to consider how the material’s thickness and composition might influence its weight and handling.

Installation Ease

We know that bathroom renovations can seem daunting, especially considering the mess and fuss of traditional tiling. That’s why we’re thrilled to highlight the easy installation process shared by our PVC and SPC panels. Designed with DIY enthusiasts and professional installers in mind, each wall panel can be installed over existing tiles, eliminating the need for extensive prep work and speeding up the transformation process. Plus, the ability to cut the panels to size means a perfect fit for your space is guaranteed, making them a fantastic choice for large-scale renovations and quick updates.

Explore our DIY Installation Guide.

Fire Safety

Fire resistance is a critical factor when it comes to the safety of your home or commercial space. Our PVC panels achieve a Group 1 class fire and smoke rating according to AS/NZS 13837:1998, ensuring they meet stringent Australian standards for safety. This rating reflects the material’s low propensity to ignite and contribute to fire spread, offering peace of mind and aesthetic appeal. While SPC panels are known to be fire resistant, their specific classification can vary, making PVC panels from Wet Wall Works a reliably safe choice for your renovation projects.

Making the Right Choice for Your Space

Choosing the right materials for your renovation project can be daunting, but it’s essential to consider what matters most for your space. For those prioritising cost-efficiency, a broad design selection, and proven durability, our PVC panels stand out as the superior option. While SPC has its merits, PVC offers comprehensive advantages that can’t be overlooked. The extensive range of designs and finishes we offer at Wet Wall Works ensures there’s something for every taste and project requirement, making it easier than ever to find the perfect fit for your space.

Conclusion

In this comparison, it’s clear that our PVC wet wall panels outshine their SPC counterparts across several key areas. With a longer warranty, a wider variety of design options, and unmatched overall value, choosing PVC wall panelling for your bathroom reno means investing in quality, safety, and style.

We invite you to explore the selection of PVC wet wall panels at Wet Wall Works either in-store or in one of our Perth, Brisbane/Gold Coast, or Melbourne locations. Whether renovating your entire bathroom or simply your shower, our range has everything you need to meet your goals and exceed your design expectations.

Dive into our collection today and discover how Wet Wall Works can transform your space with materials that look fantastic and stand the test of time.

±Compared with Ausgrass SPC Wall Tiles