Porcelain Tile Shower Walls
|Porcelain Tile 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 standard of these items stand test of your time? Which one is the best match to your budget and tastes? Learn 7 practical steps to determine which wall method is most effective for you.
Step 1 – Determine if you want to check out your existing walls – To cut costs it’s nice to place 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 actual walls aren’t spongy or bowed. If you have a plastic or fiberglass system it isn’t possible to place new walls over your existing materials. In these cases the actual system will have to removed, new backerboard installed after which new walls put up.
Step 2 – Think through your budget- If you’re similar to most you want to get the most value to your money – a high quality material which doesn’t hurt your wallet. If you are looking for an easy to wash affordable material acrylic is a great choice. It is warm to the touch, installs quickly and includes a lifetime warranty.
For a more elegant appearance (that is accessible in more decorative patterns and fashoins) think about Swanstone solid surface wall. Swanstone is simple to maintain, does not have any joints to grout or seal and will come in a multitude of choices. Usually the more costly strategy is tile (if you don’t be capable of do the installation 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 at the same time.
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 can be found in a multitude of colors, patterns and finishes. There are solid, granite, metallic as well as marble finishes. In addition the walls you end up picking may be smooth, 4″ x 4″ simulated tiles, 8″ x 10″ simulated tiles or perhaps a stone look. Acrylic is not simply a white smooth faced wall.
Swanstone, whilst 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 at the same time. There are over 45 standard, glossy, and granite colors. In addition there are decorative panels to create unique architectural designs named Pebble, Geometric, Beadboard, Tangier and Barcelona. There are also designer trim pieces and rosettes to create a finished look. Tile offers the widest product options in terms of color, accents, borders, sizes and thicknesses. Make sure to choose a high density water-resistant tile to your bath or shower.
Step 4 -Choose your backerboard. Select material to adhere the wall material as well as in the case of tile finish the face of the wall- What you do not see inside a bathtub or shower wall panel project is as essential as what you do see. Use the right material(s) behind the wall. Here are some recommendations: Acrylic – If the tile walls have been in sound 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 to cut costs. If the existing wall is not installed over put up moisture resistant green board or a cement backer board. Swanstone – Like acrylic if the tile is good structural shape install in the existing. If not, Swanstone may be installed over greenboard or a cement board using special glue.
Tile – Poorly done tile installations have caused plenty of wasted money historically (cheap backer board may have been used, poor grouting jobs, poor operate in the corners are simply a few of the problems). For tile installations never use green board – use either a water-resistant cement board or a waterproof extruded polystyrene board like that made out of Wedi Corporation. These boards needs to be glued and screwed for your framing. In addition to while using the right backer board consider investing inside a urethane grout. This type of grout doesn’t must be resealed which is waterproof. Although it can cost you more up front it is going to cut costs in the future within 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 solve an undesirable performing shower valve, a shower head that is too low, as well as to add backer material to strengthen setting up your accessories is the place you have the wall exposed.
Step 6 – Identify the tub tub and shower accessories you want to add function and elegance for your project – Have you always wanted a leg ledge for shaving, a large part seat, a curved shower rod to hold the water in, a hand held shower, a large part caddy, a frameless shower door, shampoo or soap niche or a grab bar? When you’re installing new wall surrounds is the best time to accessorize your bath or shower to really make it be right for you 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 must be done right to make certain a prosperous project. Calling a specialist could possibly be costlier within the short term but help you save long term costs. Make sure to go with a contractor that doesn’t make an effort to push you in the one sort of shower or bath wall surround system they sell (like a company selling acrylic systems pushes this solution for you). Look for a company skilled and competent in multiple systems that will attempt to understand your needs, budgets and tastes and still provide alternative ideas.
Know you’re designed with 7 steps which will function as a good outline to plan your acrylic, Swanstone or tile bathtub or shower wall surround installation.