Ceramic Tile Shower Wall
|Ceramic Tile Shower Wall – Choosing the best shower or bathtub wall surround can be tough. Should you install acrylic, a great surface material like Swanstone, or use decorative tiles? Will the standard of they stand the test of energy? Which one is the foremost match to your budget and tastes? Learn 7 practical steps to determine which wall system is most effective for you.
Step 1 – Determine if you want to review your existing walls – To lower your expenses it’s nice to position a bathtub or shower wall surround over an existing surface. It is possible to use specialized glue or butyl tape to adhere acrylic or Swanstone solid surface materials over existing tile providing the current walls are certainly not spongy or bowed. If you have a plastic or fiberglass system it’s not possible to place new walls over your existing materials. In these cases the current system will likely need to removed, new backerboard installed and after that new walls set up.
Step 2 – Think through your budget- If you’re like most you want to get the most value to your money – an exceptional material which will not hurt you wallet. If you are considering a straightforward to clean economical material acrylic is a wonderful choice. It is warm to the touch, installs quickly and comes with a lifetime warranty.
For an even more elegant appearance (that is accessible in more decorative patterns and designs) think about a Swanstone solid surface wall. Swanstone is straightforward to keep up, does not have any joints to grout or seal and is available in a multitude of choices. Usually the more costly method is tile (if you don’t manage to set it up yourself and save the labor hours- tile is regarded as the frustrating to put in vs. sheet products like acrylic & Swanstone). There are limitless choices and price ranges of tile and yes it creates a classy look as well.
Step 3 – Select your material, designs, colors and accents you need – 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 plus 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 no longer only a white smooth faced wall.
Swanstone, as it has been recognized for it’s strength, color and texture consistent, grout-free quality, and also the fact it will not crack or craze – includes a very broad range of decorative options as well. 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 make a finished look. Tile offers the widest product options when it comes to color, accents, borders, sizes and thicknesses. Make sure to look for a high density water resistant tile to your bath or shower.
Step 4 -Choose your backerboard. Select material to adhere the wall material and in true of tile finish the eye with the wall- What you can’t locate in a very bathtub or shower wall panel project is as significant as everything you do see. Use the right material(s) behind the wall. Here are some recommendations: Acrylic – If the tile walls have been in good shape install over them by adhering the acrylic with butyl tape and color match sealant. This will save the landfill costs, lessen the project installation time and lower your expenses. If the existing wall can not be installed over set up moisture resistant green board or a cement backer board. Swanstone – Like acrylic when the tile is in good structural shape install over the existing. If not, Swanstone might be installed over greenboard or a cement board using special glue.
Tile – Poorly done tile installations have caused a lot of wasted money historically (cheap backer board has been used, poor grouting jobs, poor operate in the corners are only a few with the problems). For tile installations never use green board – use either a water resistant cement board or a waterproof extruded polystyrene board prefer that created from Wedi Corporation. These boards should be glued and screwed in your framing. In addition to with all the right backer board consider investing in a very urethane grout. This type of grout will not have to be resealed and is also waterproof. Although it costs more in advance it’ll lower your expenses later on inside have to regrout, or worse yet the have to redo the shower for those who have any water damage.
Step 5 – Fix what’s behind the wall – The best time to repair a poor performing shower valve, a shower head that is too low, in order to add backer material to boost setting up your accessories happens when you may have the wall opened up.
Step 6 – Identify the tub tub and shower accessories you want to add function and elegance 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 a grab bar? When you’re installing new wall surrounds is the perfect time for you to accessorize your bath or shower to make it be right for you and your loved ones.
Step 7 – If the process sounds too difficult call a good contractor that isn’t a “one size fits all” – Let’s face it, there are tons of choices and installation details that have to be done right to ensure an excellent project. Calling a professional could possibly be more costly inside short term but help you save long-term costs. Make sure to go with a contractor which doesn’t make an effort to push you into the wedding party shower or bath wall surround system they sell (for instance a company selling acrylic systems pushes this solution you). Look for a company skilled and competent in multiple systems that can seek to understand your preferences, budgets and tastes and still provide different alternatives.
Know you’re furnished with 7 steps that will be the good outline to plan your acrylic, Swanstone or tile bathtub or shower wall surround installation.