Corner Shower Wall Kit
|Corner Shower Wall Kit – Choosing the best shower or bathtub wall surround can often be difficult. Should you install acrylic, a great surface material like Swanstone, or use decorative tiles? Will the standard of these items stand the test of your time? Which one is the foremost match on your budget and tastes? Learn 7 practical steps to determine which wall product is most effective for you.
Step 1 – Determine if you want to go over your existing walls – To save money it’s nice to put a bathtub or shower wall surround over a current surface. It is possible to use specialized glue or butyl tape to adhere acrylic or Swanstone solid surface materials over existing tile so long as the actual walls aren’t spongy or bowed. If you have a plastic or fiberglass system it isn’t possible to position new walls over your existing materials. In these cases the actual system will have to removed, new backerboard installed then new walls placed.
Step 2 – Think through your budget- If you’re similar to most you want to obtain the most value on your money – an exceptional material which will not break your budget. If you are considering a straightforward to clean economical material acrylic is a superb choice. It is warm to the touch, installs quickly and has a lifetime warranty.
For an even more elegant appearance (that’s obtainable in more decorative patterns and fashions) think about a Swanstone solid surface wall. Swanstone is easy to take care of, does not have any joints to grout or seal and comes in numerous choices. Usually the more costly strategy is tile (if you don’t be capable of install it yourself and save the labor hours- tile is the most frustrating to put in vs. sheet goods like acrylic & Swanstone). There are limitless choices and price ranges of tile also it creates a sophisticated look too.
Step 3 – Select your material, designs, colors and accents you want – After you’ve selected between acrylic, Swanstone and tile you need 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 plus marble finishes. In addition the walls you end up picking can be smooth, 4″ x 4″ simulated tiles, 8″ x 10″ simulated tiles or perhaps a stone look. Acrylic is not merely a white smooth faced wall.
Swanstone, while it has become famous for it’s strength, color and texture consistent, grout-free quality, and also the fact it certainly can’t crack or craze – features a very broad range of decorative options too. There are over 45 standard, high gloss, 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 produce a finished look. Tile offers the widest product options with regards to color, accents, borders, sizes and thicknesses. Make sure to choose a high density water-resistant tile on your bath or shower.
Step 4 -Choose your backerboard. Select material to adhere the wall material plus true of tile finish the face of the wall- What you do not see in the bathtub or shower wall panel project will be 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 reduce landfill costs, reduce the project installation some time and save money. If the existing wall can not be installed over placed moisture resistant green board or perhaps a cement backer board. Swanstone – Like acrylic if your tile is in good structural shape install on the existing. If not, Swanstone can be installed over greenboard or perhaps a cement board using special glue.
Tile – Poorly done tile installations have caused a lot of wasted money historically (cheap backer board might have been used, poor grouting jobs, poor work in the corners are merely a few of the problems). For tile installations never use green board – use whether water-resistant cement board or perhaps a waterproof extruded polystyrene board prefer that made from Wedi Corporation. These boards ought to be glued and screwed to your framing. In addition to using the right backer board consider investing in the urethane grout. This type of grout will not should be resealed which is waterproof. Although it costs more at the start it’s going to save money later on inside should regrout, or worse yet the should redo the shower if you have any water damage.
Step 5 – Fix what’s behind the wall – The best time to repair an inadequate performing shower valve, a shower head that’s too low, as well as to add backer material to strengthen the installation of your accessories happens when you have got the wall opened up.
Step 6 – Identify the bathtub tub and shower accessories you want to add function and style to your project – Have you always wanted a leg ledge for shaving, a large part seat, a curved shower rod to hold water in, a hand held shower, a large part caddy, a frameless shower door, shampoo or soap niche or perhaps a grab bar? When you’re installing new wall surrounds is the perfect time for you to accessorize your bath or shower to really make it meet your needs you.
Step 7 – If the process sounds too difficult call a reputable contractor that’s not a “one size fits all” – Let’s face it, there are plenty of choices and installation details that should be done properly to be sure an effective project. Calling a professional might be more expensive inside growing process but save you lasting costs. Make sure to go with a contractor that does not make an effort to push you to the one sort of shower or bath wall surround system you can purchase (for example a company selling acrylic systems pushes this one solution giving you). Look for a company skilled and competent in multiple systems that will aim to understand your requirements, budgets and tastes and still provide different alternatives.
Know you’re furnished with 7 steps that will serve as a good outline to plan your acrylic, Swanstone or tile bathtub or shower wall surround installation.