Solid Stone Shower Walls
9 Frequently Asked Questions About Stone Solid Surface Shower Wall intended for size 735 X 1102Solid Stone Shower Walls – Choosing the best shower or bathtub wall surround can often be difficult. Should you install acrylic, a good surface material like Swanstone, or use decorative tiles? Will the standard of these products stand the exam of time? Which one is the foremost match for the budget and tastes? Learn 7 practical steps to determine which wall system is good for you.
Step 1 – Determine if you would like to review your existing walls – To spend less it’s nice to put 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 as long as the actual walls usually are not spongy or bowed. If you have a plastic or fiberglass system it is not possible to place new walls over your existing materials. In these cases the actual system will likely need to removed, new backerboard installed and then new walls offered.
Step 2 – Think through your budget- If you’re like the majority of you would like to get the most value for the money – a top quality material which does not hurt you wallet. If you’re looking for an easy to scrub economical material acrylic is an excellent choice. It is warm to the touch, installs quickly and features a lifetime warranty.
For a much more elegant appearance (which is accessible in more decorative patterns and designs) consider a Swanstone solid surface wall. Swanstone is simple to maintain, does not have any joints to grout or seal and also comes in lots of choices. Usually the most expensive product is tile (until you manage to install it yourself and save the labor hours- tile is among the most time-consuming to set up vs. sheet goods like acrylic & Swanstone). There are limitless choices and price ranges of tile and it creates an elegant 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’re ready to choose your design and color(s). Acrylic wall surrounds appear in a variety of colors, patterns and finishes. There are solid, granite, metallic and also marble finishes. In addition the walls you choose can be smooth, 4″ x 4″ simulated tiles, 8″ x 10″ simulated tiles or perhaps a stone look. Acrylic has stopped being just a white smooth faced wall.
Swanstone, although it may be known for it’s strength, color and texture consistent, grout-free quality, as well as the fact it certainly can’t crack or craze – includes a very broad range of decorative options at the same time. 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 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-resistant tile for the bath or shower.
Step 4 -Choose your backerboard. Select material to adhere the wall material along with the truth of tile finish the face of the wall- What you aren’t seeing inside a bathtub or shower wall panel project is as important 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 shape install over them by adhering the acrylic with butyl tape and color match sealant. This will reduce landfill costs, lessen the project installation some time to spend less. If the existing wall can not be installed over offered moisture resistant green board or even a cement backer board. Swanstone – Like acrylic when the tile is at good structural shape install over the existing. If not, Swanstone can 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 could have been used, poor grouting jobs, poor be employed in the corners are just a few of the problems). For tile installations never use green board – use sometimes a water-resistant cement board or even a waterproof extruded polystyrene board like that made from Wedi Corporation. These boards needs to be glued and screwed for your framing. In addition to while using right backer board consider investing inside a urethane grout. This type of grout does not must be resealed and is waterproof. Although it will set you back more in advance it is going to spend less as time goes on inside the must regrout, or worse yet the must redo the shower if you have any water damage.
Step 5 – Fix what’s behind the wall – The best time to fix an inadequate performing shower valve, a shower head which is too low, in order to add backer material to strengthen the installation of your accessories occurs when you have got the wall opened.
Step 6 – Identify the tub tub and shower accessories you would like to add function and elegance for your project – Have you always wanted a leg ledge for shaving, a corner seat, a curved shower rod to hold the 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 best time for it to accessorize your bath or shower to make it work for you you.
Step 7 – If the process sounds too difficult call a reputable contractor that is not a “one size fits all” – Let’s face it, there are tons of choices and installation details that must be done right to make certain a successful project. Calling a specialist could be more costly inside the short term but help you save long term costs. Make sure to pick a contractor it doesn’t try and push you into the one kind of shower or bath wall surround system they sell (such as a company selling acrylic systems pushes that one solution for you). Look for a company skilled and competent in multiple systems that will look to understand the needs you have, budgets and tastes and provide alternative ideas.
Know you’re designed with 7 steps which will function as good outline to plan your acrylic, Swanstone or tile bathtub or shower wall surround installation.
