Best Tile Backer Board For Shower Walls

Tile Backer Board Breakdown Which One Is Best For Showers Ba within dimensions 1064 X 798

Best Tile Backer Board For 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 quality of these products stand the test of your energy? Which one is the foremost match for 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 look at your existing walls – To spend less it’s nice to put 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 provided that the actual walls aren’t spongy or bowed. If you have a plastic or fiberglass system it’s not at all possible to position new walls over your existing materials. In these cases the actual system will likely need to removed, new backerboard installed and then new walls set up.

Step 2 – Think through your budget- If you’re like most you wish to get the best deal for your money – a superior quality material which will not hurt you wallet. If you desire a fairly easy to wash cost effective material acrylic is an excellent choice. It is warm to the touch, installs quickly and includes a lifetime warranty.

For a more elegant appearance (that’s obtainable in more decorative patterns and fashions) consider a Swanstone solid surface wall. Swanstone is not hard to take care of, does not have any joints to grout or seal and will come in numerous choices. Usually the more costly method is tile (until you have the ability to install it yourself and save the labor hours- tile is the most time consuming to install vs. sheet items like acrylic & Swanstone). There are limitless choices and price ranges of tile and 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 it is time to choose your design and color(s). Acrylic wall surrounds come in many colors, patterns and finishes. There are solid, granite, metallic and in addition marble finishes. In addition the walls you choose can be smooth, 4″ x 4″ simulated tiles, 8″ x 10″ simulated tiles or possibly a stone look. Acrylic is not just a white smooth faced wall.

Swanstone, whilst it may be noted for it’s strength, color and texture consistent, grout-free quality, as well as the fact it will not crack or craze – includes a very broad range of decorative options as well. 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 regarding color, accents, borders, sizes and thicknesses. Make sure to choose a high density water resistant tile for your bath or shower.

Step 4 -Choose your backerboard. Select material to adhere the wall material along with the truth of tile finish the face area of the wall- What you aren’t seeing inside a bathtub or shower wall panel project is as essential as that which you do see. Use the right material(s) behind the wall. Here are some recommendations: Acrylic – If the tile walls will be in good condition install over them by adhering the acrylic with butyl tape and color match sealant. This will save on landfill costs, lessen the project installation time and spend less. If the existing wall cannot be installed over set up moisture resistant green board or possibly a cement backer board. Swanstone – Like acrylic when the tile is within good structural shape install within 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 just a few of the problems). For tile installations never use green board – use sometimes a water resistant cement board or possibly a waterproof extruded polystyrene board like that 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 inside a urethane grout. This type of grout will not need to be resealed and is also waterproof. Although it costs more up front it’ll spend less down the road in the need to regrout, or worse yet the need to redo the shower when you 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’s too low, or to add backer material to boost investing in your accessories occurs when you may have 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 help keep water 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 best time and energy to accessorize your bath or shower to make it do the job and your loved ones.

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 many of choices and installation details that need to be done properly to make certain an excellent project. Calling a professional might be costlier in the short term but help you save long term costs. Make sure to choose a contractor which doesn’t attempt to push you into the one kind of shower or bath wall surround system they offer (such as a company selling acrylic systems pushes this solution for you). Look for a company skilled and competent in multiple systems that may look to understand your preferences, budgets and tastes and provide different options.

Know you’re designed with 7 steps that can function as a good outline to plan your acrylic, Swanstone or tile bathtub or shower wall surround installation.