How to decorate walls in bathroom?

[paddytt]

Hi All

We are having the walls of a bathroom re-plastered in lime, and we are wondering how best to decorate using breathable materials - wall tiles (what type?), or tongue & groove wood panelling?

Do we have any choice in the shower cubicle besides porcelain or ceramic tiles?

thanks for any advice

TT

 

[montyjohn]

This is my uninformed opinion.

All walls don't need to be fully breathable.
You get real problems when you seal all internal spaces with gypsum for example, water is then trapped and will usually find a weak spot.

If you have relatively small areas that are sealed it's my belief that the property can manage this.

My plan (as my house will need fully remodelling) is to place baths and showers in internal walls where possible.
These will be tiled without considering their breathability.

I will keep tiled areas to the minimum required. You could go for natural stone, but then you need to seal it. Breathable sealers exist, but I think it's marketing lies.

Rest of the bathroom will be limewashed/clay painted lime plaster.

I think that's good enough, but I don't have anything scientific to hang that opinion on.