Mirror In Shower Wall
|Mirror In Shower Wall – Choosing the best shower or bathtub wall surround can be difficult. Should you install acrylic, a solid surface material like Swanstone, or use decorative tiles? Will the caliber of these products stand quality of your time? Which one is the greatest match for the budget and tastes? Learn 7 practical steps to determine which wall system is right for you.
Step 1 – Determine if you would like 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 present walls are certainly not spongy or bowed. If you have a plastic or fiberglass system it’s not possible to put new walls over your existing materials. In these cases the present system should removed, new backerboard installed then new walls set up.
Step 2 – Think through your budget- If you’re similar to you would like to get the best deal for the money – a high quality material which won’t break the bank. If you desire a straightforward to completely clean cost effective material acrylic is a great choice. It is warm to the touch, installs quickly and features a lifetime warranty.
For a much more elegant appearance (which is obtainable in more decorative patterns and fashions) think about a Swanstone solid surface wall. Swanstone is simple to maintain, has no joints to grout or seal and comes in a multitude of choices. Usually the more costly technique is tile (until you are able to install it yourself and save the labor hours- tile is the most time consuming to setup vs. sheet items like acrylic & Swanstone). There are limitless choices and price ranges of tile and it creates a classy look as well.
Step 3 – Select your material, designs, colors and accents you would like – After you’ve selected between acrylic, Swanstone and tile you need to choose your design and color(s). Acrylic wall surrounds are available in numerous colors, patterns and finishes. There are solid, granite, metallic plus marble finishes. In addition the walls you end up picking could be smooth, 4″ x 4″ simulated tiles, 8″ x 10″ simulated tiles or maybe a stone look. Acrylic is not really only a white smooth faced wall.
Swanstone, while it continues to be recognized for it’s strength, color and texture consistent, grout-free quality, as well as the fact it will not crack or craze – carries a very broad range of decorative options as well. There are over 45 standard, high shine, 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 the widest product options regarding color, accents, borders, sizes and thicknesses. Make sure to get a high density water repellent tile for the bath or shower.
Step 4 -Choose your backerboard. Select material to adhere the wall material and in true of tile finish the face in the wall- What you aren’t seeing inside a 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 come in sound 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 some time to lower your expenses. If the existing wall can’t be installed over set up moisture resistant green board or even a cement backer board. Swanstone – Like acrylic in the event the tile is good structural shape install in 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 lots of wasted money historically (cheap backer board has been used, poor grouting jobs, poor operate in the corners are only a few in the problems). For tile installations never use green board – use the water repellent cement board or even a waterproof extruded polystyrene board like this made from Wedi Corporation. These boards ought to be glued and screwed in your framing. In addition to while using right backer board consider investing inside a urethane grout. This type of grout won’t have to be resealed and it is waterproof. Although it can cost you more in advance it’ll lower your expenses in the future within 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 which is too low, in order to add backer material to strengthen setting up your accessories is when you’ve got the wall opened.
Step 6 – Identify the bath tub and shower accessories you would like to add function and magnificence 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 perfect time for it to accessorize your bath or shower to restore do the job and your loved ones.
Step 7 – If the process sounds too difficult call an established 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 efficiently to ensure a successful project. Calling an expert might be higher priced within the growing process but save lasting costs. Make sure to pick a contractor that does not try and push you in the one kind of shower or bath wall surround system you can purchase (for example a company selling acrylic systems pushes this place solution on you). Look for a company skilled and competent in multiple systems that will aim to understand your requirements, budgets and tastes and provide alternative ideas.
Know you’re designed with 7 steps that may function as good outline to plan your acrylic, Swanstone or tile bathtub or shower wall surround installation.