Tile Shower Wall Ideas
|Tile Shower Wall Ideas – Choosing the best shower or bathtub wall surround can be tough. Should you install acrylic, a good surface material like Swanstone, or use decorative tiles? Will the caliber of these products stand the test of your energy? Which one is the best match on your budget and tastes? Learn 7 practical steps to determine which wall system is good for you.
Step 1 – Determine if you would like to check out your existing walls – To spend less it’s nice to put a bathtub or shower wall surround over a preexisting surface. It is possible to use specialized glue or butyl tape to adhere acrylic or Swanstone solid surface materials over existing tile providing the current walls usually are not spongy or bowed. If you have a plastic or fiberglass system it isn’t possible to place new walls over your existing materials. In these cases the current system will need to removed, new backerboard installed and after that new walls placed.
Step 2 – Think through your budget- If you’re similar to most you would like to get the best deal on your money – an exceptional material which does not hurt your wallet. If you’re looking for a fairly easy to completely clean affordable material acrylic is an excellent choice. It is warm to the touch, installs quickly and features a lifetime warranty.
For an even more elegant appearance (which is accessible in more decorative patterns and fashoins) think about a Swanstone solid surface wall. Swanstone is easy to keep, has no joints to grout or seal and will come in a wide variety of choices. Usually the priciest strategy is tile (unless you be capable of install it yourself and save the labor hours- tile is the most time-consuming to install vs. sheet goods like acrylic & Swanstone). There are limitless choices and price ranges of tile and it creates a classy look too.
Step 3 – Select your material, designs, colors and accents you desire – After you’ve selected between acrylic, Swanstone and tile you’re ready choose your design and color(s). Acrylic wall surrounds appear in many colors, patterns and finishes. There are solid, granite, metallic and in addition marble finishes. In addition the walls you choose could be smooth, 4″ x 4″ simulated tiles, 8″ x 10″ simulated tiles or maybe a stone look. Acrylic is not just a white smooth faced wall.
Swanstone, as it has been recognized for it’s strength, color and texture consistent, grout-free quality, and the fact it won’t crack or craze – has a very broad range of decorative options too. There are over 45 standard, glossy, and granite colors. In addition there are decorative panels to make unique architectural designs named Pebble, Geometric, Beadboard, Tangier and Barcelona. There are also designer trim pieces and rosettes to create a finished look. Tile offers the widest product options when it comes to color, accents, borders, sizes and thicknesses. Make sure to locate a high density water-resistant tile on your bath or shower.
Step 4 -Choose your backerboard. Select material to adhere the wall material plus the truth of tile finish the eye with the wall- What you aren’t seeing in a bathtub or shower wall panel project is really as significant as whatever you do see. Use the right material(s) behind the wall. Here are some recommendations: Acrylic – If the tile walls are in good condition install over them by adhering the acrylic with butyl tape and color match sealant. This will save the landfill costs, slow up the project installation time and spend less. If the existing wall can’t be installed over placed moisture resistant green board or even a cement backer board. Swanstone – Like acrylic when the tile is at good structural shape install within the existing. If not, Swanstone could be installed over greenboard or even a cement board using special glue.
Tile – Poorly done tile installations have caused a lot of wasted money historically (cheap backer board may have been used, poor grouting jobs, poor are employed in the corners are just a few with the problems). For tile installations never use green board – use the water-resistant cement board or even a waterproof extruded polystyrene board like this made out of Wedi Corporation. These boards ought to be glued and screwed in your framing. In addition to using the right backer board consider investing in a urethane grout. This type of grout does not should be resealed which is waterproof. Although it can cost you more in advance it’s going to spend less in the future in the should regrout, or worse yet the should redo the shower in case you have any water damage.
Step 5 – Fix what’s behind the wall – The best time to correct an unhealthy performing shower valve, a shower head which is too low, or add backer material to bolster setting up your accessories happens when you have the wall exposed.
Step 6 – Identify the tub tub and shower accessories you would like to add function and type in your project – Have you always wanted a leg ledge for shaving, a corner seat, a curved shower rod to hold water in, a hand held shower, a corner caddy, a frameless shower door, shampoo or soap niche or even a grab bar? When you’re installing new wall surrounds is the best time for you to accessorize your bath or shower making it work for you and your family.
Step 7 – If the process sounds too difficult call a reputable contractor that is not a “one size fits all” – Let’s face it, there are tons of choices and installation details that should be done right to ensure an effective project. Calling a specialist could be costlier in the short run but save you long term costs. Make sure to choose a contractor it doesn’t make an effort to push you in the one type of shower or bath wall surround system they offer (for example a company selling acrylic systems pushes this solution giving you). Look for a company skilled and competent in multiple systems that may look to understand the needs you have, budgets and tastes and supply alternative ideas.
Know you’re designed with 7 steps that may be the good outline to plan your acrylic, Swanstone or tile bathtub or shower wall surround installation.