Hardibacker Shower Walls
|Hardibacker Shower Walls – Choosing the best shower or bathtub wall surround can be tough. Should you install acrylic, an excellent surface material like Swanstone, or use decorative tiles? Will the standard of they stand the test of your energy? Which one is the best match to your budget and tastes? Learn 7 practical steps to determine which wall method is most effective for you.
Step 1 – Determine if you’d like to go over your existing walls – To save money 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 providing 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 placed.
Step 2 – Think through your budget- If you’re similar to you want to obtain the most value to your money – an exceptional material which won’t break the bank. If you are considering a simple to clean affordable material acrylic is a superb choice. It is warm to the touch, installs quickly and comes with a lifetime warranty.
For an even more elegant appearance (which is available in more decorative patterns and fashions) think about Swanstone solid surface wall. Swanstone is not hard to keep, doesn’t have any joints to grout or seal and comes in a wide variety of choices. Usually the most expensive technique is tile (if you don’t are able to install it yourself and save the labor hours- tile is regarded as the time intensive to set up vs. sheet items like acrylic & Swanstone). There are limitless choices and price ranges of tile also it creates a stylish look at the same time.
Step 3 – Select your material, designs, colors and accents you want – After you’ve selected between acrylic, Swanstone and tile you need to choose your design and color(s). Acrylic wall surrounds come in many colors, patterns and finishes. There are solid, granite, metallic and in addition marble finishes. In addition the walls you decide on could be smooth, 4″ x 4″ simulated tiles, 8″ x 10″ simulated tiles or maybe a stone look. Acrylic is not just a white smooth faced wall.
Swanstone, while it may be recognized for it’s strength, color and texture consistent, grout-free quality, along with 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, shiny, and granite colors. In addition there are decorative panels to create unique architectural designs named Pebble, Geometric, Beadboard, Tangier and Barcelona. There are also designer trim pieces and rosettes to create a finished look. Tile offers the widest product options when it comes to color, accents, borders, sizes and thicknesses. Make sure to choose a high density waterproof tile to your bath or shower.
Step 4 -Choose your backerboard. Select material to adhere the wall material as well as in the situation of tile finish the face in the wall- What you can’t locate in the 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 will be in sound 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 time and save money. If the existing wall can’t be installed over placed moisture resistant green board or a cement backer board. Swanstone – Like acrylic in the event the tile is within 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 might have been used, poor grouting jobs, poor work in the corners are just a few in the problems). For tile installations never use green board – use the waterproof cement board or a waterproof extruded polystyrene board like that made out of Wedi Corporation. These boards should be glued and screwed for your framing. In addition to while 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 beforehand it’ll save money as time goes on inside 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 inadequate performing shower valve, a shower head which is too low, as well as to add backer material to strengthen installing your accessories is the place you’ve got the wall opened.
Step 6 – Identify the bath tub and shower accessories you want to add function and elegance for your project – Have you always wanted a leg ledge for shaving, most seat, a curved shower rod to maintain the river 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 ideal time for it to accessorize your bath or shower to restore be right for you and your loved ones.
Step 7 – If the process sounds too difficult call a reputable contractor which 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 make certain an effective project. Calling a specialist might be more costly inside short run but save you long term costs. Make sure to select a contractor it doesn’t try and push you in to the wedding party shower or bath wall surround system they offer (for example a company selling acrylic systems pushes this place solution on you). Look for a company skilled and competent in multiple systems that will seek to understand the needs you have, budgets and tastes and still provide different options.
Know you’re furnished with 7 steps that can function as good outline to plan your acrylic, Swanstone or tile bathtub or shower wall surround installation.