Best Drywall For Shower Walls

Drywall To Backerboard Transition In Tiled Showers with size 1728 X 2304

Best Drywall For 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 caliber of they stand the test of energy? Which one is the better match for the budget and tastes? Learn 7 practical steps to determine which wall system is good for you.

Step 1 – Determine if you’d like to go over your existing walls – To cut costs it’s nice to place a bathtub or shower wall surround over a current 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 present walls aren’t spongy or bowed. If you have a plastic or fiberglass system it isn’t possible to set new walls over your existing materials. In these cases the present system should removed, new backerboard installed then new walls put up.

Step 2 – Think through your budget- If you’re like most you would like to get the most value for the money – a superior quality material which will not hurt your wallet. If you are considering a straightforward to completely clean 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 can be available in more decorative patterns and fashoins) think about Swanstone solid surface wall. Swanstone is straightforward to keep up, doesn’t have any joints to grout or seal and also comes in lots of choices. Usually the most expensive strategy is tile (if you don’t are able to install it yourself and save the labor hours- tile is easily the most time consuming to put in vs. sheet items like acrylic & Swanstone). There are limitless choices and price ranges of tile also it creates a stylish look also.

Step 3 – Select your material, designs, colors and accents you desire – After you’ve selected between acrylic, Swanstone and tile you’re ready to choose your design and color(s). Acrylic wall surrounds come in a variety of colors, patterns and finishes. There are solid, granite, metallic plus marble finishes. In addition the walls you end up picking may be smooth, 4″ x 4″ simulated tiles, 8″ x 10″ simulated tiles or maybe a stone look. Acrylic is not simply a white smooth faced wall.

Swanstone, although it may be noted for it’s strength, color and texture consistent, grout-free quality, and also the fact it won’t crack or craze – carries a very broad range of decorative options also. 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 generate a finished look. Tile provides the widest product options when it comes to color, accents, borders, sizes and thicknesses. Make sure to look for a high density water repellent tile for the bath or shower.

Step 4 -Choose your backerboard. Select material to adhere the wall material plus the situation of tile finish the face of the wall- What you can’t locate inside a bathtub or shower wall panel project can be 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 the landfill costs, lessen the project installation some time and cut costs. If the existing wall can’t be installed over put up moisture resistant green board or a cement backer board. Swanstone – Like acrylic if your tile is in 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 plenty of wasted money historically (cheap backer board may have been used, poor grouting jobs, poor be employed in the corners are simply a few of the problems). For tile installations never use green board – use whether water repellent cement board or a waterproof extruded polystyrene board like this made out of Wedi Corporation. These boards ought to be glued and screwed for your framing. In addition to using the right backer board consider investing inside a urethane grout. This type of grout will not must be resealed and it is waterproof. Although it will cost you more in advance it is going to cut costs down the road within the must regrout, or worse yet the must redo the shower in case 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 which can be too low, or to add backer material to boost setting up your accessories occurs when you have got the wall showed.

Step 6 – Identify the bath tub and shower accessories you would like to add function and style for your project – Have you always wanted a leg ledge for shaving, most seat, a curved shower rod to hold 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 making it meet your needs and your loved ones.

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 many of choices and installation details that must be done properly to make sure a prosperous project. Calling an experienced could be costlier within the growing process but save long-term costs. Make sure to select a contractor that doesn’t attempt to push you to the wedding party shower or bath wall surround system you can choose from (for instance a company selling acrylic systems pushes this solution for you). Look for a company skilled and competent in multiple systems which will look to understand your preferences, budgets and tastes and supply alternative ideas.

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