Fiberglass Shower Walls

Tub Shower Walls American Standard throughout dimensions 2000 X 2000

Fiberglass Shower Walls – 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 grade of these items stand quality of time? Which one is the better match on your budget and tastes? Learn 7 practical steps to determine which wall system is best for you.

Step 1 – Determine if you want to look at your existing walls – To spend less 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 actual walls aren’t spongy or bowed. If you have a plastic or fiberglass system it’s not at all possible to place new walls over your existing materials. In these cases the actual system should removed, new backerboard installed after which new walls put up.

Step 2 – Think through your budget- If you’re like the majority of you would like to get the most value on your money – an exceptional material which does not hurt you wallet. If you are looking for a simple to clean affordable material acrylic is a great choice. It is warm to the touch, installs quickly and has a lifetime warranty.

For an even more elegant appearance (that’s available in more decorative patterns and fashions) consider a Swanstone solid surface wall. Swanstone is easy to take care of, does not have any joints to grout or seal and also comes in a wide variety of choices. Usually the more costly method is tile (if you do not have the ability to install it yourself and save the labor hours- tile is among the most frustrating to put in vs. sheet products like acrylic & Swanstone). There are limitless choices and price ranges of tile also it creates an elegant look too.

Step 3 – Select your material, designs, colors and accents you want – After you’ve selected between acrylic, Swanstone and tile you’re ready to choose your design and color(s). Acrylic wall surrounds are available in a variety of colors, patterns and finishes. There are solid, granite, metallic as well as marble finishes. In addition the walls you decide on can be smooth, 4″ x 4″ simulated tiles, 8″ x 10″ simulated tiles or perhaps a stone look. Acrylic is not really merely a white smooth faced wall.

Swanstone, although it has become famous for it’s strength, color and texture consistent, grout-free quality, and also the fact it won’t crack or craze – features a very broad range of decorative options too. 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 make a finished look. Tile provides widest product options when it comes to color, accents, borders, sizes and thicknesses. Make sure to choose a high density water resistant tile on your bath or shower.

Step 4 -Choose your backerboard. Select material to adhere the wall material plus the situation of tile finish the eye of the wall- What you do not see in a bathtub or shower wall panel project is really as significant 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 very good condition install over them by adhering the acrylic with butyl tape and color match sealant. This will save the landfill costs, reduce the project installation serious amounts of spend less. If the existing wall is not installed over put up moisture resistant green board or even a cement backer board. Swanstone – Like acrylic in the event the tile is within good structural shape install in the existing. If not, Swanstone can be installed over greenboard or even a cement board using special glue.

Tile – Poorly done tile installations have caused a lot of wasted money historically (cheap backer board might have been used, poor grouting jobs, poor operate in the corners are merely a few of the problems). For tile installations never use green board – use the water resistant cement board or even a waterproof extruded polystyrene board prefer that produced from Wedi Corporation. These boards needs to be glued and screwed in your framing. In addition to while using right backer board consider investing in a urethane grout. This type of grout does not should be resealed and is waterproof. Although it can cost you more in advance it’ll spend less in the future inside the should regrout, or worse yet the should redo the shower if you have any water damage.

Step 5 – Fix what’s behind the wall – The best time to correct a poor performing shower valve, a shower head that’s too low, or to add backer material to boost setting up your accessories happens when you may have the wall showed.

Step 6 – Identify the bath tub and shower accessories you would like to add function and magnificence in your project – Have you always wanted a leg ledge for shaving, a large part seat, a curved shower rod to maintain the water in, a hand held shower, a large part caddy, a frameless shower door, shampoo or soap niche or even 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 you.

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 plenty of choices and installation details that should be done right to make sure a successful project. Calling a specialist could possibly be higher priced inside the short run but save you long term costs. Make sure to choose a contractor which doesn’t try to push you into the wedding party shower or bath wall surround system you can choose from (for instance a company selling acrylic systems pushes this solution giving you). Look for a company skilled and competent in multiple systems that may aim to understand your needs, budgets and tastes and provide different choices.

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