So, you’re planning a kitchen fit-out. Whether you’re launching a brand-new restaurant or refurbishing the heart of your trusted takeaway, the surfaces you choose are one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. For years, the default choice has been traditional ceramic tiles. They’re familiar, they’re everywhere, and they seem like a safe bet.
But in a modern food business, is “safe” good enough?
When you factor in hygiene standards, downtime, and long-term costs, the classic tile vs. cladding debate has a very clear winner. If you’re serious about saving money and running a smarter, safer operation, it’s time to look beyond the tile.
Here’s a head-to-head comparison that breaks down why PVC hygienic cladding is the superior choice for any commercial kitchen.
1. The Hygiene Factor: Grout is Out
This is the big one. While tiles themselves are non-porous, the vast grid of grout holding them together is their greatest weakness.
Tiles: Grout is porous, meaning it absorbs moisture, grease, and food particles. Over time, it becomes a perfect breeding ground for mould and dangerous bacteria. No matter how hard you scrub, keeping hundreds of metres of grout lines hygienically clean is a near-impossible, time-consuming task.
Cladding: Hygienic PVC cladding creates a seamless, impenetrable surface. With no grout lines to worry about, bacteria has nowhere to hide. A simple wipe-down with a standard cleaning agent is all it takes to leave the surface completely sanitised, making it incredibly easy to meet and exceed Food Standards Agency (FSA) requirements.
2. The Installation Factor: Time is Money
In any business, downtime is lost revenue. How quickly can you get your kitchen up and running?
Tiles: Tiling is a slow, methodical, and messy process. It requires a skilled tradesperson to apply adhesive, carefully place each individual tile, wait for it to set, and then undertake the messy task of grouting. It’s a multi-day job, meaning your kitchen is out of action for longer.
Cladding: Our large cladding sheets can be fixed directly to almost any solid surface—often straight over existing tiles. An entire kitchen can be cladded and sealed in a fraction of the time it takes to tile, meaning you’re back in business faster with minimal disruption.
3. The Durability Factor: Built for a Busy Kitchen
Commercial kitchens are tough environments. Walls have to withstand knocks from trolleys, heat from cookers, and impacts from heavy pots and pans.
Tiles: They might look tough, but ceramic tiles are brittle. A sharp impact will easily cause a chip or crack, instantly creating another hygiene risk and a difficult, fiddly repair job.
Cladding: High-quality PVC cladding is designed for high-impact resistance. It won’t shatter or chip, absorbing the daily knocks and scrapes of a busy kitchen with ease and maintaining its clean, professional look for years.
4. The Long-Term Cost Factor: The Real Bottom Line
The initial price tag is only part of the story. The true cost of a surface becomes clear over its lifespan. While tile prices can seem competitive, the hidden costs quickly add up. Cladding, on the other hand, is a fit-and-forget investment that saves you money year after year.
Let’s break it down:
| Feature | Ceramic Tiles | Hygienic Cladding |
| Hygiene | Porous grout harbours bacteria | Seamless, easy to disinfect |
| Installation | Slow, multi-day process | Fast, often a single-day job |
| Durability | Can crack and chip easily | High-impact resistance |
| Maintenance | Requires re-grouting, hard to clean | Simple wipe-clean surface |
| Long-Term Cost | High labour + maintenance costs | Lower lifetime cost |
The Verdict is Clear
For a modern food business that values hygiene, efficiency, and long-term savings, hygienic cladding isn’t just an alternative to tiles—it’s the upgrade. It’s a smart business investment that pays for itself through lower cleaning costs, minimal maintenance, and reduced downtime.
Don’t let outdated tiles cost your business time and money.
Talk to the Cladding Monkey team today to discuss your project, or order your free samples and see the difference for yourself!
