Vinyl Shower Walls
|Vinyl Shower Walls – 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 caliber of the products stand quality of your time? Which one is the greatest 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 want to look at your existing walls – To lower your expenses it’s nice to place 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 provided that the existing walls are not spongy or bowed. If you have a plastic or fiberglass system it is not possible to position new walls over your existing materials. In these cases the existing system will need to removed, new backerboard installed then new walls offered.
Step 2 – Think through your budget- If you’re similar to you want to obtain the most value to your money – a high quality material which does not hurt you wallet. If you’re looking for a simple to completely clean cost-effective material acrylic is a wonderful choice. It is warm to the touch, installs quickly and has a lifetime warranty.
For an even more elegant appearance (that’s for sale in more decorative patterns and fashions) think about a Swanstone solid surface wall. Swanstone is easy to take care of, doesn’t have any joints to grout or seal and comes in a wide variety of choices. Usually the priciest strategy is tile (until you are able to set it up yourself and save the labor hours- tile is the most time-consuming to set up vs. sheet goods like acrylic & Swanstone). There are limitless choices and price ranges of tile plus it creates a classy look also.
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 are available in many colors, patterns and finishes. There are solid, granite, metallic and also marble finishes. In addition the walls you select might be smooth, 4″ x 4″ simulated tiles, 8″ x 10″ simulated tiles or possibly a stone look. Acrylic is not merely a white smooth faced wall.
Swanstone, whilst it has been known for it’s strength, color and texture consistent, grout-free quality, and the fact it won’t crack or craze – carries a very broad range of decorative options also. There are over 45 standard, high gloss, and granite colors. In addition there are decorative panels to construct unique architectural designs named Pebble, Geometric, Beadboard, Tangier and Barcelona. There are also designer trim pieces and rosettes to create a finished look. Tile provides widest product options regarding color, accents, borders, sizes and thicknesses. Make sure to choose a high density waterproof tile to 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 can’t locate in a very bathtub or shower wall panel project can be as essential as everything you do see. Use the right material(s) behind the wall. Here are some recommendations: Acrylic – If the tile walls will be in good condition install over them by adhering the acrylic with butyl tape and color match sealant. This will reduce landfill costs, decrease the project installation serious amounts of lower your expenses. If the existing wall can not be installed over offered moisture resistant green board or perhaps a cement backer board. Swanstone – Like acrylic if the tile is within good structural shape install over the existing. If not, Swanstone might be installed over greenboard or perhaps a cement board using special glue.
Tile – Poorly done tile installations have caused lots of wasted money historically (cheap backer board may 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 waterproof cement board or perhaps a waterproof extruded polystyrene board like this made from Wedi Corporation. These boards needs to be glued and screwed for your framing. In addition to while using the right backer board consider investing in a very urethane grout. This type of grout does not have to be resealed and is waterproof. Although it can cost you more up front it is going to lower your expenses later on in the have to regrout, or worse yet the have to redo the shower in case you have any water damage.
Step 5 – Fix what’s behind the wall – The best time to correct an inadequate performing shower valve, a shower head that’s too low, or to add backer material to strengthen installing your accessories is the place you may have the wall opened up.
Step 6 – Identify the tub tub and shower accessories you want to add function and magnificence for your project – Have you always wanted a leg ledge for shaving, a large part seat, a curved shower rod to maintain the river 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 best time for it to accessorize your bath or shower to really make it do the job and your family.
Step 7 – If the process sounds too difficult call a professional contractor that’s not a “one size fits all” – Let’s face it, there are many of choices and installation details that have to be done correctly to make certain a successful project. Calling a professional may be more costly in the short run but help save long-term costs. Make sure to go with a contractor it doesn’t attempt to push you into the wedding party shower or bath wall surround system you can purchase (such as a company selling acrylic systems pushes this place solution giving you). Look for a company skilled and competent in multiple systems which will look to understand your needs, budgets and tastes and provide different choices.
Know you’re designed with 7 steps which will function as good outline to plan your acrylic, Swanstone or tile bathtub or shower wall surround installation.