Frequently Asked Questions

We will send you a dispatch email once your items are with our courier. If you have not had this email, please assume that your order has not left our warehouse. As an extra tip for when your order will arrive: if you receive the dispatch email before 3pm, you should get your order the next working day. If your email arrives later than this, you can expect your order within two working days.

At times, to allow our customers to continue with any projects they are working on, If we do not have everything in stock we may send out partial orders. This is to prevent the entire order being held up by a few items we are waiting on coming in. All other items will be sent as soon as they become available. If your dispatch email lists the missing items as shipped, please email help@nationalplastics.co.uk with your order number and the product code. We will investigate this for you.

We are sorry to hear your order has arrived to you damaged. All of our products are checked upon packaging and leaving our warehouse. We offer a no quibble replacement policy on all damages reported to us within 48 hours of the delivery. If damages are noticed at the time of delivery please sign for the order as damaged or if the damage is substantial you can refuse the delivery. Please make note of the batch numbers where applicable, then provide photographs of all damages to help@nationalplastics.co.uk, we will then arrange for the damaged goods to be collected, once they have been collected they will then be replaced. National Plastics will not accept responsibility for damaged goods once the items have been used, this applies to all items including those sold in pack quantities. We recommend not using any goods until you are completely satisfied with your order, as any goods used are accepted by the customer.

Not to worry! Please note down your original order number, go online and place another order for the missing items, then selecting shipping option 'branch collection'. When you are asked for any additional order comments during checkout please write 'order to be shipped with [your original order number]'. Please note that this can only be done provided that order has not been marked as completed in your 'My Account'. Next day delivery orders cannot be amended nor can any additional items added. Any additional items added to any order will reset the shipping to 5 working days from the date the order is amended.

This can only be done within 24 hours of placing your order. Shipping address requests can only be taken by calling us, and not via email.

We do accept returns, please see our returns section for full instructions. Please note that we do not arrange returns couriers and online orders can only be returned to our internet branch. If returning anything you will need to include you order number, your invoice number, and your reason for the return. All items need to be returned as new. If you have ordered an incorrect item, please call us and we will be able to cancel and refund these items from your order. To add new items please see "I have missed an item on my order"

Once you have placed all of your items in your shopping cart and proceeded to checkout, your shipping options will be displayed. If next day delivery is not displayed, this means the items you are looking to purchase are not available in our warehouse at the time of purchase and will have to be ordered in or brought from a local branch. As such, we will be unable to get the items out to you the following day so cannot offer a next day service.

We strongly recommend that due to the nature of the products and potential issues that can arise during transit to you, that you do not book contractors/fitters until your entire order has arrived and has been fully inspected.

You do not need any specialist equipment to install PVC bathroom wall panels. A simple range of tools is all you need to start your installation project. Firstly, start with your trims. Measure the wall and cut the trims to the required length before fixing them on to it. Next, move on to your PVC wall panels. Measure and mark the first panel. If the last panel ends at a corner, cut the first one to width which will result in a full panel at the finished end. Once your first is cut, remove the tongue to ensure it fits fully into the trim, apply adhesive or silicon to the back, and fit into the trim. Repeat this process as you work your way, ensuring any pattern aligns and remembering to check with a spirit level. For a detailed step-by-step guide and video visit our blog on how to install bathroom wall panels.

Yes, you can! The bathroom wall panels can be applied directly to clean unprepared walls, over rough plasterwork with suitable battening, or on top of existing tiles, and require no specialist tools or skills to do so.

The cost of PVC wall panels is comparable to traditional ceramic tiles. However, the overall cost of an installation project – and ongoing maintenance – is a lot cheaper! Firstly, you do not need specialist equipment, such as tile cutters or grouting tools. Secondly, you do not need to employ the services of a tradesman as you can install them yourself – and if you do use a skilled fitter, they will be able to install in half the time it takes to fit traditional tiles, saving you even more money on labour costs. Lastly, they are extremely low maintenance so there is no need for costly cleaning products. So overall, wall panels are the considerably cheaper option!

There are many! Firstly, there is a wide range of styles and colours available, from classic marble finish and natural stone to the warmth of natural wood. Secondly, they are extremely easy to install, you can even do it yourself! Thirdly, they are very low maintenance, requiring only a wipe with a damp cloth to keep them clean. And lastly, the construction material helps to reduce condensation, which combined with the absence of grout (that could attract mould) makes for a clean, hygienic environment.

There is not much difference between standard wall and shower panels. However, our shower panels are all 10mm thick, which means they can withstand wear and tear and offer durability and longevity. They are also specifically designed to minimise seams, providing a beautifully stylish and harmonious finish.

Yes, they can! Our panels are extremely easy to install, requiring no specialist skills or tools to do so. They can be installed directly over the top of existing tiles – or any unprepared surface – saving you both time and money. So if you would like to transform your shower in a matter of hours rather than days, shower wall panels are for you.

Yes. Shower wall panels are 100% waterproof. The material from which they are constructed, combined with the seamless nature of the panel, both help to prevent water penetration. This is why wall panels make the perfect choice for your next shower renovation.

They are made from PVC. There are many misconceptions around PVC, for example that it is not an environmentally sound option. All of our wall cladding is made from responsibly sourced materials.

Wall panels vary in thickness from 5 to 10mm. All our shower wall panels are 10mm thick, making them durable and long lasting. The extra thickness also helps to prevent water ingress and adds an additional layer of insulation to your bathroom wall, helping to keep heat in.

We believe so! Shower panels are extremely easy to install, unlike traditional tiles which require specialist tools and materials to be fitted correctly, and are even easier to maintain, needing only an occasional wipe with a damp cloth to keep them clean. They do not require grout, which helps prevent the build-up of mould and mildew and keeps your shower hygienic and spotless. There is also a vast choice of styles available, so you can emulate the luxury of marble, the tradition of tile, or the warmth of wood, at a fraction of the cost without having to compromise on quality.

They can! All our panels are a metre in width to allow for fewer seams and a flawless finish, but they can be cut to any length or width using a standard saw, whilst trims can be cut with a Stanley knife.

We’re confident that our shower panels will not leak. They have been specifically designed to have the least number of seams possible, helping to prevent water ingress. Unlike traditional tiles, our shower panels do not require grout, which can, when starting to wear, let in water. Overall, they have less gaps and cracks than ceramic tiles, which helps to keep the water out and the panels clean and hygienic.

The main types of UPVC cladding are Shiplap, Open V Joint and Featheredge. All types protect your home from the elements and can be used to transform the aesthetics of your property or replace rotting timber boards. The profile of shiplap cladding assists the run off of water and is often chosen for large projects or where the overlapping design is preferred. Open V joint cladding has a slightly different profile in that it has a distinctive symmetrical V joint giving a contemporary finish while featheredge is designed to mimic the appearance of traditional timber cladding without the maintenance.

There are many different designs and a variety of colours on the market. The first option is plain cladding, which often comes in white. If you are looking for a true wood effect, woodgrain textured external cladding is the answer. This realistic looking PVC alternative to timber is just as attractive as wood but is easier to maintain and longer lasting. The final option is woodgrain external PVC cladding. Although this does not have the textured appearance of a timber board, it emulates wood cladding perfectly. So, whether you live in a country cottage, a 60s semi or a modern mansion, there is PVC cladding to suit.

External PVC cladding not only improves the look of your home, but it also adds an extra layer of protection against the elements. It is a fantastic alternative to traditional timber - it looks just as good, but it is low maintenance, long lasting, and you can install it yourself, saving both time and money. Preparation is paramount - for all installations preparation is key. You will require a sound substrate, good quality battens (suitable treated timber), insulation (if required) and a vapour membrane. If you are replacing existing cladding, you must also remove all old material before starting to install your new cladding. Colour coded - for a safe, successful installation, you must consider the key differences between white and colour/foil cladding, as the installation guidance differs slightly for each. For an in-depth, step-by-step guide on how to install PVC cladding correctly, head over to our guide on external PVC cladding

Basic square areas can be calculated by simply measuring the height and width of the area and multiplying by the following factors depending on profile chosen:

1. 100mm claddings; m² x 2 = number of lengths required to cover that area.
2. 125mm claddings; m² x 1.6 = number of lengths required to cover that area.
3. 150mm claddings; m² x 1.4 = number of lengths required to cover that area.
4. 300mm claddings; m² x 0.7 = number of lengths required to cover that area.

For example, cladding an area of 6m wide x 3m high in 150mm Shiplap = 9m² x 1.4 = 12.6 = 13 x 5m length. If the area includes windows and/or doors or other non-clad areas, these can be calculated in the same way but removed from the overall number of lengths required. These figures do not take into account wastage due to cutting to length on site, which is variable, or the use of offcuts and jointing which may be needed to make a uniform design. A sketch of the area, including non-clad areas, and applying lengths according to the space will allow you to see where the offcuts best fit. For more guidance call our experts on 0800 22 77 77.

PVC external cladding is a ‘skin’ for your home. It provides an extra layer of protection to your external walls, helping to increase internal insulation and minimise air leakage, which in turn can improve energy efficiency and running costs. PVC cladding is available in an extensive range of colours – from traditional white and cream to contemporary grey and light blue - and designs, allowing you to add an interesting aesthetic or a new lease of life to your home. Further information about how PVC cladding can help protect your home, the different styles of PVC cladding available – and how to install it – can be found on our blog. For an in-depth, step-by-step guide on how to install PVC cladding correctly, head over to our PVC external cladding installation guide