3 Panel Shower Walls

Tub Shower Walls American Standard with sizing 1000 X 1000

3 Panel Shower Walls – Choosing the best shower or bathtub wall surround can be hard. Should you install acrylic, a solid surface material like Swanstone, or use decorative tiles? Will the standard of these items stand the exam of your energy? Which one is the greatest match for your budget and tastes? Learn 7 practical steps to determine which wall strategy is right for you.

Step 1 – Determine if you’d like to check out 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 so long as the actual walls usually are not spongy or bowed. If you have a plastic or fiberglass system it’s not possible to position new walls over your existing materials. In these cases the actual system will need to removed, new backerboard installed then new walls set up.

Step 2 – Think through your budget- If you’re similar to most you wish to get the best deal for your money – a top quality material which won’t hurt you wallet. If you desire an 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 (which is available in more decorative patterns and fashions) think about Swanstone solid surface wall. Swanstone is not hard to keep up, doesn’t have any joints to grout or seal and will come in a multitude of choices. Usually the more costly technique is tile (unless you are able to do the installation yourself and save the labor hours- tile is among the most time-consuming to install vs. sheet products like acrylic & Swanstone). There are limitless choices and price ranges of tile also it creates an elegant 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 come in a variety of colors, patterns and finishes. There are solid, granite, metallic and also marble finishes. In addition the walls you decide on could be smooth, 4″ x 4″ simulated tiles, 8″ x 10″ simulated tiles or even a stone look. Acrylic is no longer merely a white smooth faced wall.

Swanstone, while it has been known for it’s strength, color and texture consistent, grout-free quality, and the fact it won’t crack or craze – features a very broad range of decorative options as well. There are over 45 standard, shiny, and granite colors. In addition there are decorative panels to develop 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 widest product options with regards to color, accents, borders, sizes and thicknesses. Make sure to look for a high density waterproof tile for your bath or shower.

Step 4 -Choose your backerboard. Select material to adhere the wall material along with true of tile finish the face of the wall- What you don’t see in the bathtub or shower wall panel project is as important as that which you do see. Use the right material(s) behind the wall. Here are some recommendations: Acrylic – If the tile walls are in very good condition install over them by adhering the acrylic with butyl tape and color match sealant. This will save on landfill costs, reduce the project installation some time to spend less. If the existing wall can not be installed over set up moisture resistant green board or a cement backer board. Swanstone – Like acrylic if the tile is in good structural shape install over the existing. If not, Swanstone could be installed over greenboard or a cement board using special glue.

Tile – Poorly done tile installations have caused lots of wasted money historically (cheap backer board may have been used, poor grouting jobs, poor work in the corners are merely a few of the problems). For tile installations never use green board – use either a waterproof cement board or a waterproof extruded polystyrene board prefer that made from Wedi Corporation. These boards must be glued and screwed for a framing. In addition to using the right backer board consider investing in the urethane grout. This type of grout won’t have to be resealed and is waterproof. Although it costs more in advance it is going to spend less as time goes on within the have to regrout, or worse yet the have to redo the shower if you have any water damage.

Step 5 – Fix what’s behind the wall – The best time to repair an undesirable performing shower valve, a shower head which is too low, in order to add backer material to boost installing your accessories is the place you may have the wall exposed.

Step 6 – Identify the bathtub tub and shower accessories you wish to add function and elegance for a project – Have you always wanted a leg ledge for shaving, a large part seat, a curved shower rod to maintain the lake 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 ideal time for it to accessorize your bath or shower to restore be right for you and your family.

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 many of choices and installation details that have to be done right to ensure a successful project. Calling a specialist could possibly be more costly within the short term but save lasting costs. Make sure to pick a contractor that doesn’t try to push you in the one type of shower or bath wall surround system you can purchase (like a company selling acrylic systems pushes this place solution on you). Look for a company skilled and competent in multiple systems which will aim to understand your preferences, budgets and tastes and still provide alternative ideas.

Know you’re designed with 7 steps that may be the good outline to plan your acrylic, Swanstone or tile bathtub or shower wall surround installation.