White Sparkle Shower Wall Panels
|White Sparkle Shower Wall Panels – Choosing the best shower or bathtub wall surround can often be difficult. Should you install acrylic, a solid surface material like Swanstone, or use decorative tiles? Will the standard of the products stand the test of time? Which one is the better match to your budget and tastes? Learn 7 practical steps to determine which wall product is most effective for you.
Step 1 – Determine if you’d like to review your existing walls – To spend less it’s nice to put a bathtub or shower wall surround over a pre-existing surface. It is possible to use specialized glue or butyl tape to adhere acrylic or Swanstone solid surface materials over existing tile provided that the present walls usually are not spongy or bowed. If you have a plastic or fiberglass system it isn’t possible to set new walls over your existing materials. In these cases the present system will likely need to removed, new backerboard installed then new walls put up.
Step 2 – Think through your budget- If you’re like the majority of you want to obtain the most value to your money – a top quality material which won’t break the bank. If you desire a fairly easy to clean cost effective material acrylic is a wonderful choice. It is warm to the touch, installs quickly and includes a lifetime warranty.
For a far more elegant appearance (that’s obtainable in more decorative patterns and styles) think about a Swanstone solid surface wall. Swanstone is easy to take care of, does not have any joints to grout or seal and also comes in lots of choices. Usually the costliest method is tile (unless you have the ability to set it up yourself and save the labor hours- tile is the most time consuming to put in vs. sheet products like acrylic & Swanstone). There are limitless choices and price ranges of tile also it creates a classy look also.
Step 3 – Select your material, designs, colors and accents you need – After you’ve selected between acrylic, Swanstone and tile it is time to choose your design and color(s). Acrylic wall surrounds can be found in a variety of colors, patterns and finishes. There are solid, granite, metallic as well as marble finishes. In addition the walls you choose might be smooth, 4″ x 4″ simulated tiles, 8″ x 10″ simulated tiles or even a stone look. Acrylic is not just a white smooth faced wall.
Swanstone, as it may be famous for it’s strength, color and texture consistent, grout-free quality, and the fact it certainly can’t crack or craze – carries a very broad range of decorative options also. There are over 45 standard, shiny, and granite colors. In addition there are decorative panels to develop unique architectural designs named Pebble, Geometric, Beadboard, Tangier and Barcelona. There are also designer trim pieces and rosettes to generate a finished look. Tile offers the widest product options regarding color, accents, borders, sizes and thicknesses. Make sure to get a high density water-resistant tile to your bath or shower.
Step 4 -Choose your backerboard. Select material to adhere the wall material along with the case of tile finish the facial skin with the wall- What you don’t see in a bathtub or shower wall panel project is as essential as everything you do see. Use the right material(s) behind the wall. Here are some recommendations: Acrylic – If the tile walls come in good shape install over them by adhering the acrylic with butyl tape and color match sealant. This will save money on landfill costs, reduce the project installation some time to spend less. If the existing wall cannot be installed over put up moisture resistant green board or a cement backer board. Swanstone – Like acrylic if the tile is within good structural shape install in the existing. If not, Swanstone might be installed over greenboard or a cement board using special glue.
Tile – Poorly done tile installations have caused a great deal of wasted money historically (cheap backer board may have been used, poor grouting jobs, poor work in the corners are just a few with the problems). For tile installations never use green board – use the water-resistant cement board or a waterproof extruded polystyrene board like this made out of Wedi Corporation. These boards ought to be glued and screwed to your framing. In addition to using the right backer board consider investing in a urethane grout. This type of grout won’t have to be resealed and is waterproof. Although it costs more in advance it will spend less down the road inside have to regrout, or worse yet the have to redo the shower if you have any water damage.
Step 5 – Fix what’s behind the wall – The best time to fix a poor performing shower valve, a shower head that’s too low, as well as to add backer material to boost investing in your accessories is when you’ve got the wall showed.
Step 6 – Identify the bathtub tub and shower accessories you want to add function and elegance to your project – Have you always wanted a leg ledge for shaving, a corner seat, a curved shower rod to keep the river in, a hand held shower, a corner caddy, a frameless shower door, shampoo or soap niche or a grab bar? When you’re installing new wall surrounds is the ideal time for it to accessorize your bath or shower to make it be right for you and your loved ones.
Step 7 – If the process sounds too difficult call a professional contractor which is not a “one size fits all” – Let’s face it, there are many of choices and installation details that have to be done right to be sure an effective project. Calling an experienced might be higher priced inside growing process but save long-term costs. Make sure to choose a contractor it doesn’t make an effort to push you in the one sort of shower or bath wall surround system they offer (such as a company selling acrylic systems pushes this solution on you). Look for a company skilled and competent in multiple systems that can seek to understand your needs, budgets and tastes and still provide different options.
Know you’re equipped with 7 steps that may serve as a good outline to plan your acrylic, Swanstone or tile bathtub or shower wall surround installation.