Tile On Shower Wall
|Tile On Shower Wall – Choosing the best shower or bathtub wall surround can be tough. Should you install acrylic, a solid surface material like Swanstone, or use decorative tiles? Will the standard of these products stand the exam of your time? Which one is the foremost match on your budget and tastes? Learn 7 practical steps to determine which wall system is right for you.
Step 1 – Determine if you would like to look at your existing walls – To spend less it’s nice to put a bathtub or shower wall surround over a pre-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 current walls are not spongy or bowed. If you have a plastic or fiberglass system it is not possible to set new walls over your existing materials. In these cases the current system will need to removed, new backerboard installed and after that new walls set up.
Step 2 – Think through your budget- If you’re similar to most you wish to get the best deal on your money – a high quality material which will not break the bank. If you are looking for a straightforward to wash affordable material acrylic is a superb choice. It is warm to the touch, installs quickly and includes a lifetime warranty.
For a much more elegant appearance (that’s obtainable in more decorative patterns and styles) consider a Swanstone solid surface wall. Swanstone is easy to take care of, doesn’t have any joints to grout or seal and also comes in numerous choices. Usually the priciest method is tile (until you manage to do the installation yourself and save the labor hours- tile is regarded as the frustrating to put in vs. sheet products like acrylic & Swanstone). There are limitless choices and price ranges of tile plus it creates a stylish 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 come in a multitude of colors, patterns and finishes. There are solid, granite, metallic and in addition marble finishes. In addition the walls you decide on may be smooth, 4″ x 4″ simulated tiles, 8″ x 10″ simulated tiles or even a stone look. Acrylic is not really only a white smooth faced wall.
Swanstone, as it has been known for it’s strength, color and texture consistent, grout-free quality, and the fact it’s not going to crack or craze – has 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 construct unique architectural designs named Pebble, Geometric, Beadboard, Tangier and Barcelona. There are also designer trim pieces and rosettes to make a finished look. Tile supplies the widest product options with regards to color, accents, borders, sizes and thicknesses. Make sure to locate a high density waterproof tile on your bath or shower.
Step 4 -Choose your backerboard. Select material to adhere the wall material as well as in true of tile finish the facial skin in the wall- What you don’t see in a bathtub or shower wall panel project is as significant as whatever you do see. Use the right material(s) behind the wall. Here are some recommendations: Acrylic – If the tile walls are in sound condition install over them by adhering the acrylic with butyl tape and color match sealant. This will save the landfill costs, slow up the project installation time and spend less. If the existing wall can’t be installed over set up moisture resistant green board or possibly 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 possibly a cement board using special glue.
Tile – Poorly done tile installations have caused lots of wasted money historically (cheap backer board might have been used, poor grouting jobs, poor work in the corners are only a few in the problems). For tile installations never use green board – use whether waterproof cement board or possibly a waterproof extruded polystyrene board like that made from Wedi Corporation. These boards needs to be glued and screwed in your framing. In addition to while using the right backer board consider investing in a urethane grout. This type of grout will not have to be resealed which is waterproof. Although it can cost you more at the start it is going to spend less as time goes on inside the have to regrout, or worse yet the have to redo the shower in case 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 that’s too low, or add backer material to boost the installation of your accessories occurs when you have got the wall showed.
Step 6 – Identify the bathtub tub and shower accessories you wish to add function and style in your project – Have you always wanted a leg ledge for shaving, most seat, a curved shower rod to hold the river in, a hand held shower, most 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 for it to accessorize your bath or shower to restore do the job and your loved ones.
Step 7 – If the process sounds too difficult call a good contractor that’s not a “one size fits all” – Let’s face it, there are a lot of choices and installation details that have to be done right to make certain an effective project. Calling an expert could possibly be more expensive inside the short run but help save lasting costs. Make sure to choose a contractor which doesn’t try and push you in the wedding party shower or bath wall surround system you can choose from (like a company selling acrylic systems pushes this solution giving you). Look for a company skilled and competent in multiple systems which will look to understand your preferences, budgets and tastes and provide different alternatives.
Know you’re equipped with 7 steps that may function as a good outline to plan your acrylic, Swanstone or tile bathtub or shower wall surround installation.