Redgard Shower Walls
Redgard Waterproof Membrane in size 768 X 1024Redgard Shower Walls – Choosing the best shower or bathtub wall surround can be hard. Should you install acrylic, a solid surface material like Swanstone, or use decorative tiles? Will the quality of these items stand quality of time? Which one is the better match on your budget and tastes? Learn 7 practical steps to determine which wall system is good 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 providing the existing walls aren’t 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 existing system will have to removed, new backerboard installed and then new walls put up.
Step 2 – Think through your budget- If you’re similar to most you wish to get the best deal on your money – a top quality material which doesn’t hurt your wallet. If you are considering a simple to scrub affordable material acrylic is a superb choice. It is warm to the touch, installs quickly and has a lifetime warranty.
For a far more elegant appearance (which can be accessible in more decorative patterns and fashions) look at a Swanstone solid surface wall. Swanstone is simple to take care of, doesn’t have any joints to grout or seal and is available in numerous choices. Usually the most expensive method is tile (unless you be capable of set it up yourself and save the labor hours- tile is regarded as the frustrating to setup vs. sheet items like acrylic & Swanstone). There are limitless choices and price ranges of tile plus it creates a sophisticated look also.
Step 3 – Select your material, designs, colors and accents you desire – After you’ve selected between acrylic, Swanstone and tile you need to choose your design and color(s). Acrylic wall surrounds come in numerous colors, patterns and finishes. There are solid, granite, metallic and in addition marble finishes. In addition the walls you end up picking can be smooth, 4″ x 4″ simulated tiles, 8″ x 10″ simulated tiles or even a stone look. Acrylic is no longer merely a white smooth faced wall.
Swanstone, whilst it has been famous for it’s strength, color and texture consistent, grout-free quality, and also the fact it’s not going to crack or craze – carries a very broad range of decorative options also. 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 produce a finished look. Tile provides the widest product options in terms of color, accents, borders, sizes and thicknesses. Make sure to choose a high density water repellent tile on your bath or shower.
Step 4 -Choose your backerboard. Select material to adhere the wall material along with the case of tile finish the facial skin in the wall- What you do not see in a bathtub or shower wall panel project will be as important as what you do see. Use the right material(s) behind the wall. Here are some recommendations: Acrylic – If the tile walls are in good shape install over them by adhering the acrylic with butyl tape and color match sealant. This will save money on landfill costs, slow up the project installation time and save money. If the existing wall can’t be installed over put up moisture resistant green board or possibly a cement backer board. Swanstone – Like acrylic if the tile is good structural shape install on the existing. If not, Swanstone can be installed over greenboard or possibly 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 in the problems). For tile installations never use green board – use the water repellent cement board or possibly a waterproof extruded polystyrene board that way produced from Wedi Corporation. These boards ought to be glued and screwed to your framing. In addition to with all the right backer board consider investing in a urethane grout. This type of grout doesn’t must be resealed and is also waterproof. Although it can cost you more at the start it’s going to save money down the road inside the must regrout, or worse yet the must redo the shower for those who have any water damage.
Step 5 – Fix what’s behind the wall – The best time to fix an undesirable performing shower valve, a shower head which can be too low, or add backer material to strengthen setting up your accessories is the place you have got the wall exposed.
Step 6 – Identify the bathtub tub and shower accessories you wish to add function and style to your project – Have you always wanted a leg ledge for shaving, a corner seat, a curved shower rod to keep the river in, a hand held shower, a corner caddy, a frameless shower door, shampoo or soap niche or possibly a grab bar? When you’re installing new wall surrounds is the ideal time for you to accessorize your bath or shower making it be right for you you.
Step 7 – If the process sounds too difficult call an established contractor that is not a “one size fits all” – Let’s face it, there are plenty of choices and installation details that must be done properly to be sure a successful project. Calling an experienced may be higher priced inside the short term but help you save long-term costs. Make sure to choose a contractor it doesn’t make an effort to push you to the one kind of shower or bath wall surround system they sell (like a company selling acrylic systems pushes that one solution for you). Look for a company skilled and competent in multiple systems which will aim to understand the needs you have, budgets and tastes and supply different choices.
Know you’re built with 7 steps that can serve as a good outline to plan your acrylic, Swanstone or tile bathtub or shower wall surround installation.
