1. Material Composition

Castico Shower Walls

The main component of Castico shower walls is calcium carbonate, classified as solid composite stone. This material has a texture similar to natural marble, with hardness and weight close to stone, presenting a high-end, solid visual effect and tactile feel.

Trioflor SPC Wall Panels

SPC wall panels are mainly made of calcium carbonate powder and PVC (polyvinyl chloride resin) extruded at high temperatures, belonging to Stone Plastic Composite (SPC). The addition of PVC not only enhances the flexibility of the panels but also significantly improves their impact resistance, making them sturdy, lightweight, and less prone to breakage, suitable for interior wall applications, especially in bathroom environments.

2. Manufacturing Process

• Similarity: Both are manufactured by extrusion, enabling large-scale panel production.
• Differences: Castico shower walls are thicker and heavier, pressed as solid large boards during production. Their surface patterns are dyed into the material itself, ensuring durability and colorfastness. SPC wall panels, on the other hand, are thinner, more suitable for lock-click assembly, and typically feature a laminated printed layer with a UV coating, offering richer colors and decorative options.

3. Specifications

3.1 Thickness

Castico shower walls are usually 8–12 mm, similar to ceramic tiles, providing a solid feel but also heavier. SPC wall panels are typically around 3.7 mm, much thinner and lighter, easier to handle and install, reducing wall load.

3.2 Weight

A single large Castico shower wall panel can weigh 30–40 kg, requiring two people for transport and installation. SPC wall panels are much lighter, averaging about 8 kg per square meter, allowing single-person handling and making them more DIY-friendly.

3.3 Dimensions

Castico shower walls are usually large-format boards (commonly about 32 in × 60 in × 84 in ≈ 813 × 1524 × 2134 mm), capable of covering an entire shower wall in one piece, providing strong continuity but difficult to move. SPC wall panels offer more flexible sizes (commonly 300×600 mm, 475×900 mm, 475×2440 mm, 600×2440 mm, 900×2600 mm) and include click-lock systems, allowing multiple panels to be joined together to cover large areas without being limited by a single board.

3.4 Colors & Finish

Castico shower walls use a dyeing process, mostly simulating marble or stone textures. The look is premium but with limited color options. SPC wall panels are more versatile, simulating marble, wood grain, concrete, and more, with abundant designs to suit diverse interior styles.

3.5 Locking System

Castico shower walls have no locking system, requiring cutting and precise joining for installation. SPC wall panels usually adopt a four-sided click-lock system, similar to flooring, allowing faster and tighter assembly with minimal gaps, improving efficiency.

4. Performance

4.1 Moisture/Water Resistance

Castico shower walls, made of 100% mineral composite, are completely waterproof, ideal for bathrooms and high-humidity environments. SPC wall panels, made of calcium carbonate and PVC, also deliver excellent waterproof and moisture resistance, with no swelling or deformation after prolonged water exposure.

4.2 Fire Resistance

Castico shower walls, with their inorganic composition, offer excellent heat and fire resistance, closer to natural stone in safety performance. SPC wall panels, although PVC-based, include flame retardants and usually achieve B1 fire-resistance rating, sufficient for everyday interiors.

4.3 Toughness

Castico shower walls are very hard, close to stone in texture, but brittle—making them prone to cracking or chipping during transport or cutting. SPC wall panels, reinforced with PVC, have much better flexibility and impact resistance, making them more durable and forgiving in installation.

4.4 Mold Resistance

Castico shower walls have no grout lines, with dense, smooth surfaces that resist mold growth. However, if seams are not handled properly, mold may appear at joints. SPC wall panels also require no grout, feature a lock-click system, and benefit from PVC’s moisture resistance, effectively preventing mold at joints and offering better overall mold resistance.

5. Installation

• Castico Shower Walls
  While suitable for professional or semi-professional DIY installation, the panels are very heavy and usually require two people to transport and position. Their brittle nature also requires extra care during handling or cutting to avoid cracking or chipping.
• SPC Wall Panels
  SPC wall panels provide a much more user-friendly DIY installation experience. Lightweight and manageable by a single person, with a four-sided locking system, they install quickly and precisely, making them ideal for fast bathroom renovations.

6. Maintenance

Both Castico shower walls and SPC wall panels feature dense surfaces that are easy to clean, resistant to stains and scratches. Regular cleaning with a damp cloth or household cleaner is sufficient. They require minimal maintenance while maintaining durability and appearance over time.

✅ Summary Comparison

Trioflor SPC Wall Panels vs Castico Shower Walls — Comparison Table

Category	Item	Castico Shower Walls	Trioflor SPC Wall Panels
Specification	Thickness	8-12 mm, solid	~3.7 mm, thin & light
	Weight	Single board 30-40 kg, heavy	~8 kg/m², lightweight
	Dimensions	Large board, covers full wall	Multiple sizes, lock-joined
	Appearance	Marble-like, premium but limited options	Marble, wood, concrete looks, abundant designs
	Locking	No lock, requires cutting & precise joining	Click-lock, fast and tight assembly
Performance	Waterproof	100% mineral composite, fully waterproof	Calcium carbonate + PVC, waterproof & moisture-proof
	Fireproof	Inorganic, heat & fire resistant	With flame retardant, B1 fire rating
	Toughness	Hard but brittle, prone to cracking	Flexible, impact-resistant, not easy to break
	Mold Resistance	Dense surface, joints may mold if not sealed	Lock system + PVC, excellent mold prevention
Installation & Maintenance	Installation	Heavy & brittle, requires two people, difficult	Lightweight, single-person install, fast renovation
	Maintenance	Easy to clean, stain & scratch resistant	Nearly zero maintenance