The material behind your shower walls decides how much time you spend cleaning it. Porous surfaces soak up moisture and grow harder to keep clean over the years. Choosing the best material for shower walls comes down to acrylic and man-made stone like onyx or quartz, both non-porous and both backed by a lifetime warranty. Here is how they compare to tile and why they are the easiest showers to keep clean.
What Makes the Best Material for Shower Walls
Not every surface holds up to daily water, steam, and cleaning. The two materials we install most are acrylic and man-made stone, and both check the boxes that matter in a wet space:
- Non-porous, so water and soap cannot soak in
- Easy to clean with a quick wipe
- Backed by a lifetime warranty on the material
Acrylic Walls
Acrylic is non-porous, so moisture and soap have nowhere to soak in. That keeps the surface quick and easy to wipe clean. Acrylic also comes with a lifetime warranty on the material.
Man-Made Stone: Onyx and Quartz
Man-made stone, such as onyx or quartz, is non-porous too, and it brings the look of natural stone to your walls. It cleans just as easily as acrylic and carries the same lifetime warranty on the material.
Key Takeaway: The non-porous surface is the difference maker. Because acrylic and man-made stone do not absorb water, they resist the stains, mildew, and buildup that affect more porous materials.
How Tile Compares
Tile is a popular choice, and it has real strengths. It looks beautiful when it is new, and it is genuinely durable.
The Hidden Cost of Grout
The trouble with tile is the grout. Grout is porous, so it soaks up moisture and becomes the hardest part of your shower to keep clean. That makes it the biggest source of ongoing upkeep in a tiled shower.
Beauty That Comes with Upkeep
Even at its best, tile carries the most maintenance of any shower wall option. For homeowners who want a great look without the extra upkeep, a non-porous surface delivers the same clean result with far less work.
Pro Tip: Before you fall for a tile sample in the showroom, remember that the grout will be the part you work hardest to keep clean. The surface that is easiest to live with is almost always the non-porous one.
Need expert help choosing the best material for shower walls? Contact The Shower Company for a free consultation.
Complete Your Shower with the Right Doors
Walls are only part of a clean shower. The doors carry just as much weight, and most store-bought options work against you.
Why Basic Glass Gets Hard to Clean
Most shower doors sold in stores use basic glass, and that glass is porous. Mineral deposits settle on the surface, which is exactly why those doors get harder to clean over time.
Pairing the Best Material for Shower Walls with Better Doors
Our shower doors are treated with a protective film, similar to Rain-X, that keeps mineral deposits from reaching the glass. Paired with non-porous walls, they keep your whole shower clean with very little effort.
Build a Shower That Stays Clean
Acrylic and man-made stone give you a shower that resists moisture, wipes clean with ease, and comes backed by a lifetime warranty on the material. Paired with treated glass doors, they keep the whole space clean with far less work. Schedule your free consultation with The Shower Company today and let us help you choose the best material for shower walls.
