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Planning a renovation or contemplating a new bathroom door? Read on to see why PVC might be the right pick for you.

Polyvinyl chloride or PVC is a plastic polymer available in both rigid and flexible forms. Manufacturers use the rigid form of PVC for fabricating panels to make doors, wall surfaces, floors, fences and much more. PVC made by BIS-approved manufacturers can be trusted to be safe for use at home. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specifies the composition of PVC which is stabilised and fire-retardant. Vinyl provides good insulation against electricity and the addition of heat stabilisers makes the panel flame retardant. Due to its cost-effectiveness, low maintenance and versatility, PVC has become a prominent material in the doors industry.

It is durable. PVC has high tolerance to shocks (such as banging) and abrasions (from rough use). Raw PVC is mixed with impact modifiers, heat stabilisers, thermal modifiers and fillers that make the panel suitable for home applications. Properly treated and installed PVC doors are resilient and can have a long life. Unlike wood and metal, a PVC sheet is coated with a thin plastic film, which makes it chemically resistant to acids, bases and salts. Hence, it is free of the risk of rotting, rusting and fading in high-moisture areas like bathrooms.

A stronger grade of PVC is formed in the absence of plastics – uPVC (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride) – which is commonly used in making window frames. Since uPVC has similar traits to PVC, it is a good choice for bathroom door profiles too.

It is highly versatile. This lightweight polymer can be cut, moulded and shaped into door profiles of all formats. From hinged to sliding doors, and tilt-and-slide to slide-and-fold ones, PVC can be fabricated in any size and style. This makes it suitable for both small and big bathrooms.

It is compatible and customisable. Bathroom doors needn’t be boring and plain. PVC is friendly towards almost all other materials – glass panels, metal hardware, rubber waterproofing fillers, and so on. This makes customisation easy. You can choose from the available composite doors (partially glazed, fully glazed, solid panel with metal bracing, and others) or design one exclusively for your bathroom.

It looks good. PVC sheets are available in a number of colours, textures and patterns. Solid white, off-white and wood replicas are the most commonly used ones. Duroplast offers PVC doors in many solid colours and shades of faux wood. Fenesta’s range of doors include pristine white, as well as imitation oak, walnut and mahogany. You can also look for local Sintex or Eureka India suppliers.

It is easy to maintain. Wood and metal surfaces need timely polishing and painting for a long-lasting appeal. Also, they tend to warp and rust when used in wet areas. A PVC surface, coated by impervious plastic film, does not stain or discolour easily as it is resistant to damage by damp and mould or chemical cleansers and detergents. Occasional washing is enough to keep the door clean.

It is relatively cheaper. PVC panels are lighter on the pocket than wood and metal panels. Furthermore, the cost of re-painting and polishing the surface is also comparatively low.