Best Solid Surface Shower Walls
|Best Solid Surface Shower Walls – 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 grade of these products stand test of your energy? Which one is the greatest match for the budget and tastes? Learn 7 practical steps to determine which wall system is best for you.
Step 1 – Determine if you’d like to go over your existing walls – To save money it’s nice to place a bathtub or shower wall surround over a pre-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 actual walls are 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 should removed, new backerboard installed then new walls placed.
Step 2 – Think through your budget- If you’re similar to you need to get the best deal for the money – a top quality material which won’t break your budget. If you desire an easy to scrub cost-effective 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 (which can be obtainable in more decorative patterns and styles) look at a Swanstone solid surface wall. Swanstone is straightforward to take care of, doesn’t have any joints to grout or seal and will come in a wide variety of choices. Usually the more costly strategy is tile (unless you have the ability to install it yourself and save the labor hours- tile is regarded as the time-consuming to put in vs. sheet items like acrylic & Swanstone). There are limitless choices and price ranges of tile also it creates a sophisticated look as well.
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 can be found in many colors, patterns and finishes. There are solid, granite, metallic and also marble finishes. In addition the walls you choose may be smooth, 4″ x 4″ simulated tiles, 8″ x 10″ simulated tiles or maybe a stone look. Acrylic has stopped being just a white smooth faced wall.
Swanstone, although it has been known for it’s strength, color and texture consistent, grout-free quality, and the fact it will not crack or craze – has 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 construct 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 widest product options with regards to color, accents, borders, sizes and thicknesses. Make sure to locate a high density water repellent tile for the bath or shower.
Step 4 -Choose your backerboard. Select material to adhere the wall material along with the case of tile finish the face area from the wall- What you do not see in a very bathtub or shower wall panel project is really as significant as whatever you do see. Use the right material(s) behind the wall. Here are some recommendations: Acrylic – If the tile walls have been in good condition install over them by adhering the acrylic with butyl tape and color match sealant. This will reduce landfill costs, lessen the project installation time and save money. If the existing wall can’t be installed over placed moisture resistant green board or a cement backer board. Swanstone – Like acrylic if your tile is at good structural shape install on the existing. If not, Swanstone may be installed over greenboard or a cement board using special glue.
Tile – Poorly done tile installations have caused a great deal of wasted money historically (cheap backer board has been used, poor grouting jobs, poor be employed in the corners are just a few from the problems). For tile installations never use green board – use whether water repellent cement board or a waterproof extruded polystyrene board prefer that made out of Wedi Corporation. These boards needs to be glued and screwed to your framing. In addition to with all the right backer board consider investing in a very urethane grout. This type of grout won’t need to be resealed and it is waterproof. Although it costs more beforehand it’s going to save money down the road within the need to regrout, or worse yet the need to redo the shower if you have any water damage.
Step 5 – Fix what’s behind the wall – The best time to solve an inadequate performing shower valve, a shower head which can be too low, as well as to add backer material to boost installing your accessories happens when you have the wall opened.
Step 6 – Identify the tub tub and shower accessories you need to add function and magnificence to your project – Have you always wanted a leg ledge for shaving, most seat, a curved shower rod to help keep the water in, a hand held shower, most caddy, a frameless shower door, shampoo or soap niche or a grab bar? When you’re installing new wall surrounds is the best time for you to accessorize your bath or shower to restore meet your needs you.
Step 7 – If the process sounds too difficult call a professional contractor that is not a “one size fits all” – Let’s face it, there are plenty of choices and installation details that need to be done right to be sure an effective project. Calling a professional might be more costly within the short term but help you save lasting costs. Make sure to pick a contractor that does not try and push you to the one type of shower or bath wall surround system they sell (for example a company selling acrylic systems pushes that one solution giving you). Look for a company skilled and competent in multiple systems that can seek to understand your preferences, budgets and tastes and provide different options.
Know you’re designed with 7 steps that can serve as a good outline to plan your acrylic, Swanstone or tile bathtub or shower wall surround installation.