Re Tiling A Shower Wall
|Re Tiling A Shower Wall – 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 the products stand quality of time? Which one is the greatest match to your budget and tastes? Learn 7 practical steps to determine which wall strategy is best for you.
Step 1 – Determine if you want to review your existing walls – To save money it’s nice to place 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 providing the actual walls are certainly not 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 offered.
Step 2 – Think through your budget- If you’re similar to you would like to get the most value to your money – a superior quality material which won’t hurt your wallet. If you are looking for an easy to completely clean affordable 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 (which can be for sale in more decorative patterns and fashions) think about a Swanstone solid surface wall. Swanstone is straightforward to maintain, does not have any joints to grout or seal and also comes in a wide variety of choices. Usually the most expensive technique is tile (unless you manage to do the installation yourself and save the labor hours- tile is regarded as the time intensive to install vs. sheet items like acrylic & Swanstone). There are limitless choices and price ranges of tile and it creates a sophisticated 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 are available in a multitude of colors, patterns and finishes. There are solid, granite, metallic plus marble finishes. In addition the walls you select might 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, as it has been 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 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 provides widest product options regarding color, accents, borders, sizes and thicknesses. Make sure to look for a high density water repellent tile to your bath or shower.
Step 4 -Choose your backerboard. Select material to adhere the wall material as well as in true of tile finish the face area from the wall- What you aren’t seeing in the bathtub or shower wall panel project is as important as that which you do see. Use the right material(s) behind the wall. Here are some recommendations: Acrylic – If the tile walls come in very good condition install over them by adhering the acrylic with butyl tape and color match sealant. This will save money on landfill costs, decrease the project installation some time and save money. If the existing wall can’t be installed over offered moisture resistant green board or a cement backer board. Swanstone – Like acrylic if your tile is 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 lots of wasted money historically (cheap backer board could have been used, poor grouting jobs, poor work in the corners are merely a few from the problems). For tile installations never use green board – use either a water repellent cement board or a waterproof extruded polystyrene board that way made from Wedi Corporation. These boards must be glued and screwed for a framing. In addition to while using the right backer board consider investing in the urethane grout. This type of grout won’t must be resealed which is waterproof. Although it will set you back more beforehand it is going to save money in the future within the must regrout, or worse yet the must redo the shower if you have any water damage.
Step 5 – Fix what’s behind the wall – The best time to solve an unhealthy performing shower valve, a shower head which can be too low, or to add backer material to strengthen setting up your accessories occurs when you have got the wall opened up.
Step 6 – Identify the bath tub and shower accessories you would like to add function and type for a project – Have you always wanted a leg ledge for shaving, a corner seat, a curved shower rod to hold 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 perfect time to accessorize your bath or shower making it meet your needs and your family.
Step 7 – If the process sounds too difficult call an established contractor that isn’t a “one size fits all” – Let’s face it, there are a lot of choices and installation details that must be done correctly to make sure a prosperous project. Calling a professional might be higher priced within the growing process but save long term costs. Make sure to choose a contractor it doesn’t make an effort to push you into the one kind of shower or bath wall surround system they sell (like a company selling acrylic systems pushes that one solution you). Look for a company skilled and competent in multiple systems that may aim to understand your preferences, budgets and tastes and offer different options.
Know you’re furnished with 7 steps that may function as good outline to plan your acrylic, Swanstone or tile bathtub or shower wall surround installation.