There are several types of wall panels, with different waterproofing performance:
- Wood-based panels (e.g. melamine-faced): limited by the nature of wood, they tend to swell and deform when absorbing water — edge sealing is essential in damp areas such as kitchens;
- WPC and PVC panels: made from resin and stone powder with very low water absorption — virtually no moisture-induced deformation, though mold is still possible in persistently damp conditions;
- Wood-veneer panels: wood substrate with veneer and paint finish, similarly prone to moisture deformation.
WPC and PVC panels have film surfaces; in heavy-grease kitchens their stain/scratch resistance is inferior to tile, making long-term maintenance harder and weathering performance weaker. For bathrooms, however, WPC and PVC wall panels are fully suitable.