Popular wall cladding materials: wood, stone, tile, glass

Wall cladding is a fast, effective way to lift aesthetics, hide flaws and protect wall surfaces. The market offers many cladding groups with very different prices, durability and feel — from warm wood and luxurious stone to economical plastic and wallpaper. Choosing the right material for the area’s function (dry, damp, load-bearing), the style and the budget is the key.

Quick answer: wood is warm and premium for living rooms/bedrooms; stone and tile are durable and moisture-resistant for kitchens, bathrooms and feature walls; PVC panels are cheap, light and moisture-proof for damp areas and fast installation; wallpaper is the most economical with thousands of designs; glass cladding is modern, easy to clean, suiting kitchens and decorative panels.

The wall cladding groups

Group	Typical types	Pros	Cons	Applications
Wood	Natural wood, finished engineered wood (MDF/HDF/MFC)	Warm, premium, beautiful grain, durable if treated	Fussy in damp; natural wood expensive	Living rooms, bedrooms, feature panels
Stone & tile	Granite, marble, onyx, ceramic/polished tiles	Hard, durable, moisture-resistant, premium	Natural stone costly and heavy; poor glazed tile absorbs water	Kitchens, bathrooms, lobbies, feature walls
Plastic	PVC panels, faux-wood plastic	Cheap, light, moisture-proof, pest-proof, fast install	Feels less premium than wood/stone	Damp areas, ceilings, fast builds, low budget
Wallpaper	Local/imported (Korea, Germany, Italy, Japan)	Cheapest, thousands of designs, quick to change	Less durable, water-averse, peels in damp	Bedrooms, dry living rooms
Glass cladding	Standard, laminated safety, tempered glass	Modern, easy to clean, hides wall flaws	Standard glass fragile, heat-sensitive	Kitchens (splashbacks), decorative panels, offices

Choosing material by area

• Living rooms, bedrooms (dry areas): wood cladding (including decorative wood slats), wallpaper or decorative glass for looks and warmth.
• Kitchens: glass splashbacks or easy-clean tile/stone that resists heat and grease.
• Bathrooms, damp areas: tile, stone or moisture-proof PVC panels; avoid natural wood and wallpaper.
• Facades, weather-exposed areas: stone, tile or exterior plastic panels; do not use plain engineered wood or wallpaper.

Notes when choosing

• Balance with the architectural style and room proportions: large clad panels suit big spaces, small ones make accents.
• Prioritise function over aesthetics in damp and load-bearing areas (anti-slip, waterproof) to avoid early damage.
• Many projects combine groups: e.g. stone on the main wall plus wood accents to optimise cost and looks.

Frequently asked questions

What material should bathroom walls use?

Use tile, stone or moisture-proof PVC panels, which handle water well and clean easily. Avoid natural wood and wallpaper, as the damp environment warps, peels and moulds them.

Is wallpaper durable?

Wallpaper is cheap, comes in many designs and changes quickly, but it is less durable than wood, stone or glass and is water-averse — use it only in dry areas like bedrooms and living rooms. In damp areas it peels and moulds.

What are the advantages of glass splashbacks?

Glass splashbacks wipe grease off easily, resist heat (use tempered glass), hide wall flaws and give a modern look. They are a popular choice for cooking areas.

AIC designs and builds interiors as a single-point contractor, advising on combining wall cladding materials to suit the function, style and budget of each area. See also types of engineered wood and marble stone in interiors, or explore our residential fit-out service.