Glass Panel Shower Wall
|Glass Panel 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 test of energy? Which one is the greatest match to 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 go over your existing walls – To save money it’s nice to place 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 so long as the present walls usually are not spongy or bowed. If you have a plastic or fiberglass system it’s not possible to place new walls over your existing materials. In these cases the present system will likely need to removed, new backerboard installed and then new walls set up.
Step 2 – Think through your budget- If you’re similar to you need to get the most value to your money – a superior quality material which doesn’t hurt you wallet. If you’re looking for a fairly easy to clean economical material acrylic is a wonderful choice. It is warm to the touch, installs quickly and comes with a lifetime warranty.
For a more elegant appearance (that is for sale in more decorative patterns and fashoins) think about a Swanstone solid surface wall. Swanstone is straightforward to take care of, doesn’t have joints to grout or seal and will come in lots of choices. Usually the costliest technique is tile (if you don’t have the ability to install it yourself and save the labor hours- tile is regarded as the frustrating to put in vs. sheet goods like acrylic & Swanstone). There are limitless choices and price ranges of tile plus it creates a sophisticated look as well.
Step 3 – Select your material, designs, colors and accents you would like – After you’ve selected between acrylic, Swanstone and tile you need to choose your design and color(s). Acrylic wall surrounds appear in numerous colors, patterns and finishes. There are solid, granite, metallic and also marble finishes. In addition the walls you end up picking might be smooth, 4″ x 4″ simulated tiles, 8″ x 10″ simulated tiles or possibly a stone look. Acrylic is no longer simply a white smooth faced wall.
Swanstone, while it has become recognized for it’s strength, color and texture consistent, grout-free quality, and also the fact it’s not going to 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 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 offers the widest product options in terms of color, accents, borders, sizes and thicknesses. Make sure to look for a high density water resistant tile to your bath or shower.
Step 4 -Choose your backerboard. Select material to adhere the wall material as well as in the truth of tile finish the eye of the wall- What you aren’t seeing in the bathtub or shower wall panel project will be as essential as whatever you do see. Use the right material(s) behind the wall. Here are some recommendations: Acrylic – If the tile walls are in good condition install over them by adhering the acrylic with butyl tape and color match sealant. This will save money on landfill costs, reduce the project installation serious amounts of save money. 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 your tile is within good structural shape install over the existing. If not, Swanstone might be installed over greenboard or possibly a cement board using special glue.
Tile – Poorly done tile installations have caused a lot of wasted money historically (cheap backer board could have been used, poor grouting jobs, poor operate in the corners are simply a few of the problems). For tile installations never use green board – use either a water resistant cement board or possibly a waterproof extruded polystyrene board that way made from Wedi Corporation. These boards ought to be glued and screwed to your framing. In addition to while using right backer board consider investing in the urethane grout. This type of grout doesn’t must be resealed and is waterproof. Although it can cost you more up front it’s going to save money in the future in 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 that is too low, or add backer material to strengthen the installation of your accessories is when you have got the wall exposed.
Step 6 – Identify the bathtub tub and shower accessories you need to add function and type to your project – Have you always wanted a leg ledge for shaving, a corner seat, a curved shower rod to maintain the 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 perfect time to accessorize your bath or shower to make it do the job and your family.
Step 7 – If the process sounds too difficult call a professional contractor which 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 ensure a successful project. Calling an experienced could be more expensive in the short term but save you long term costs. Make sure to pick a contractor that doesn’t try to push you into the one sort of shower or bath wall surround system they sell (for instance a company selling acrylic systems pushes this place solution you). Look for a company skilled and competent in multiple systems that will look to understand your preferences, budgets and tastes and offer alternative ideas.
Know you’re furnished with 7 steps that may serve as a good outline to plan your acrylic, Swanstone or tile bathtub or shower wall surround installation.