How Does BP-Cor2 Compare to Other Shower Wall Materials?

There are many shower wall materials out there, and narrowing down the right one isn't easy. You're probably familiar with acrylic, fiberglass, tile, and natural stone. But BP-Cor2 is not as well known. You're likely less familiar with it and curious how it compares to other shower wall materials.

Shugarman's Bath has installed BP-Cor2 in all 6,000 of our tub and shower remodeling projects. We know this material well, and we also know it isn't the right fit for every homeowner.

This article breaks down how BP-Cor2 compares to the most common shower wall materials so you can decide if it belongs in your home.

Table of Contents:

• What is BP-Cor2, and How Is It Different From Other Shower Materials?
• How Does BP-Cor2 Compare to Standard Acrylic?
• How Does BP-Cor2 Compare to Tile and Grout?
• How Does BP-Cor2 Compare to Fiberglass?
• How Does BP-Cor2 Compare to Natural Stone?
• Does BP-Cor2 Work for Every Home and Budget?

What is BP-Cor2, and How Is It Different From Other Shower Materials?

BP-Cor2 is a high-tech polymer acrylic made from 85% ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) and 15% co-extruded material. It’s durable enough to handle repeated shower use and normal house settling.

ABS is the same impact-resistant material used in car bumpers and football helmets, which is what gives BP-Cor2 its strength and flexibility. The co-extruded outer layer is what keeps the material looking good for years. It’s flexible enough to handle the daily expansion and contraction of a shower’s hot-and-cold cycles without cracking. This is important, especially when a 10-minute shower hits the walls with around 17.2 gallons of water.

BP-Cor2 is non-porous, meaning it doesn’t absorb water, soap scum, oils, or bacteria. It’s also antimicrobial, which means it resists bacterial growth on the surface.

How Does BP-Cor2 Compare to Standard Acrylic?

BP-Cor2 is superior to standard acrylic in just about every way. Think of it as the Rolls-Royce of shower materials. It has the appearance homeowners want, but without the brittleness of standard acrylic.

It’s durable, much harder to crack, and built to last longer under the daily conditions in the tub and shower area. Standard acrylic is thinner, making it more prone to chipping, cracking, and fading over time.

Many companies that distribute standard acrylic roll their panels for shipping, causing microcracks in the material before they can be installed. These cracks weaken the panels. Standard acrylic also requires trim pieces glued to the edges of walls to hold everything in place. These trim pieces rely on silicone to stay sealed.

Installing BP-Cor2 panels is different. The panels remain flat during transport, so the material arrives undamaged. The edges can be bullnose, meaning they’re rounded and finished at the edges rather than covered with trim. There are fewer seams and places for water to get behind the walls.

How Does BP-Cor2 Compare to Tile and Grout?

BP-Cor2 is much easier to clean and maintain compared to tile and grout.

Tile and grout look great when they’re first installed. The issue is that the grout is porous. It will absorb water, soap scum, and bacteria. Because the material absorbs water, moisture is likely to get behind the walls and cause damage.

To keep grout nonporous, it needs to be resealed every 6 months. The sealing process requires the area to be dry for days beforehand and left unused afterward so the sealant can cure.

BP-Cor2 is much easier to maintain after use in the shower. Cleaning is as easy as a quick wipe-down or squeegee use. In comparison, grout needs to be scrubbed weekly with a soft-bristle brush and resealed every six months.

BP-Cor2 can also give the appearance of tile using laser-etched designs. You can get the appearance of tile without the porous grout lines. Those lines don’t need to be resealed and don’t crumble or crack the way grout does.

How Does BP-Cor2 Compare to Fiberglass?

Fiberglass is easy to clean when it’s new. The surface has a protective coat that resists moisture and dirt. The issue is that the coating deteriorates over time, exposing the pores inherent in fiberglass.

Repeated cleaning, especially with abrasive products, wears down the gel coat. Moisture and materials get trapped, making cleaning much more difficult.

BP-Cor2 doesn’t have this problem. The surface stays nonporous, doesn’t have a gel coat, and cleaning in year five is as easy as it was in year one.

How Does BP-Cor2 Compare to Natural Stone?

Natural stone is one of the more appealing options for shower walls. It’s why so many other materials replicate the looks, including some BP-Cor2 wall options. Unfortunately, that beauty comes with maintenance issues.

On its own, natural stone is porous. It needs to be resealed regularly, more often than a stone countertop would. Unsealed stone absorbs moisture and can discolor.

BP-Cor2 doesn’t need to be resealed. It can handle the same level of moisture exposure without damaging your walls or causing discoloration.

Does BP-Cor2 Work for Every Home and Budget?

BP-Cor2 does work for lower-range, mid-range, and high-end tub and shower remodels. However, the material isn’t for everyone.

It does cost more than standard acrylic and fiberglass. A shower remodel with BP-Cor2 runs between $12,500 and $22,000+. The trade-off you get for the price is high-quality installation, premium materials, and a true lifetime warranty.

It also has more limited design options. While there are 500-600 design options with BP-Cor2, standard tile offers nearly unlimited options, especially if you have a specific pattern in mind. If you’re dead-set on a tile design that isn’t available with BP-Cor2, this material won’t work for you.

Is BP-Cor2 the Right Shower Wall Material for You?

BP-Cor2 holds up better than standard acrylic, fiberglass, tile, and natural stone. It is highly durable and low-maintenance. However, BP-Cor2 doesn’t work for everyone. If you’re looking for more design options or a lower price, it might not work for you.

If you’re still weighing your options, see how BP-Cor2 compares to traditional tile.

If you think BP-Cor2 would be a good shower wall material for your remodel, schedule a free design consultation with Shugarman’s Bath. One of our design consultants will be at your home to help you choose from BP-Cor2 design options to see what works for your space.

The opinions expressed in the referenced materials are those of the authors only, not necessarily of Shugarman’s Bath. While these referenced materials are useful in answering generalized questions, each bathroom is unique. For a particular question about your tub or shower remodeling project, contact your Shugarman’s Bath consultant.