Asked on Jul 20, 2019

Can I use waterproof vinyl flooring to cover shower walls?

Renovating bathrooms and want to use Vinyl flooring. WILL IT WORK? ITS WATERPROOF FLOORING? ANY SUGGESTIONS? THX IN ADVANCE AND GOD BLESS

  13 answers
  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Jul 20, 2019

    No, not made for that, will grow mold behind it.

  • Pjo26908388 Pjo26908388 on Jul 20, 2019

    There are some click together panels that can be used in a shower. That do look a lot like flooring, perhaps that could be a useful alternative.


    Flooring is not commonly designed for this purpose. I would contact the manufacturer and see what they say.

  • Gk Gk on Jul 20, 2019

    Vinyal flooring would probably not hold up to the moisture as a shower wall. There would be many seams that would collect moisture. Great for the floor but not for a shower wall.

  • 2818713 2818713 on Jul 21, 2019

    Nada, I'd use tile!

  • Mel24141848 Mel24141848 on Jul 22, 2019

    That is very unconventional. But I think it could work. As long as 1- u use 3 whole pieces for each side, not the squares. 2- it is glued completely . 3- sealed in every corner and seam. Neat experiment! We put it on our floors and then soak and scrub them. Might work. Good luck!

  • Toni @ Girl, Just DIY! Toni @ Girl, Just DIY! on Jul 26, 2019

    I wouldn't recommend it because you couldn't get enough of a seal in the corners to keep water from finding it's way to the wood beneath. Besides, waterproof vinyl flooring is only mean to be waterproof from spills that are quickly wiped up. The prolonged exposure to water and moisture from the shower will probably fail pretty quickly.

  • Carin Carin on Aug 18, 2019

    Why couldn't she seal the back with Zinzer waterproof seal? I used it (white) on my bathroom walls 10 yrs ago as my primer, liked the white, so I just left it unpainted! It's a plastic like primer. I've had NO problem with water, mold, etc. I love it. Couldn't the wall be painted with zinnzer - sp? Let dry about a week or 2 in this warm weather, Then paint it on the back of her 1 sheet lenolium, let dry, then put it up? Just curious ... from Oklahoma!

  • Dallas Dallas on Jun 22, 2020

    Hey I really wanted to try this myself. Did you try it if so how did it turn out?

  • Shelly Shelly on Oct 31, 2020

    Haven’t tried was looking for a more economical way to redo shower

  • Benjamin Ebert Benjamin Ebert on Nov 08, 2020

    You absolutely can use it in the shower. I don't know why everyone is saying no. Grout is actually more water prone/absorbent than the vinyl would be. Maybe they just haven't seen it done so they think it can't be done??? And it's not just diy's doing it either. Some builders and landlord s have been doing it for yrs, and some manufacturers (SMI is one I believe) even say you can. If you are going to do it, just do lots of research before you do because there is a lot of misinformation online on how to do it. Because unlike tile, which has standard installation methods, vinyl's installation can vary widely from product to product.

  • Rechard Rechard on Apr 15, 2021

    I wouldn't recommend slate tiles over vinyl because the slate made up of natural stone provides more grip and maintains a cool atmosphere. Besides, the tile has more life span and can quickly wipe up the presence of water. The unique property of the tile gives you more comfort than the other. One of the main advantages is that it can increase the resale value of your home.


  • Lil Haus Lil Haus on Jun 10, 2022

    I've done it. I built a new wet room/ bathroom. Used Wonderboard Lite, rolled about 4 coats of RedGard over that, then lived with that for about 3 years, taking showers and baths. I mean, NO other flooring or wall materials- just the Wonderboard walls and plywood subfloor... all THICKLY coated with RedGard!


    Finally realized I could just use the extra WATERPROOF luxury vinyl plank I had left over from the flooring, on the wall. American Bath Factory is making shower kits using it on the floor, as well as the walls! YES, the actual same stuff I have on my floors, by Lifeproof!


    I went with black slate for the floor, installed over a polystyrene linear drain floor system (from Trugard), which got covered with RedGard too. And used Lifeproof Fresh Oak for the walls. I used Loctite Power Grab Ultimate to adhere them to the wall, and clear silicone for seams and corners.


    They are exactly the same thing as Dumawall, Palisades and other vinyl tiles being installed on shower walls. Europe has been doing that since the tiles and planks were first rolled out. And lets face it... it's really the RedGard that's stopping water intrusion. ;)

  • Robert Robert on Jun 10, 2022

    I was thinking about doing the same and i would think yes i would definitely make sure its completely glued with no pockets that water could stand in