Granite Shower Walls

Shower Idea Granite Shower Walls And Seat Built In Shower Cubbie intended for dimensions 3264 X 4928

Granite Shower Walls – Choosing the best shower or bathtub wall surround can be hard. Should you install acrylic, a solid surface material like Swanstone, or use decorative tiles? Will the grade of they stand the exam of time? Which one is the better match for your budget and tastes? Learn 7 practical steps to determine which wall product is best for you.

Step 1 – Determine if you want 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 as long as the existing walls usually are not 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 existing system will need to removed, new backerboard installed after which new walls placed.

Step 2 – Think through your budget- If you’re like most you would like to get the best deal for your money – a top quality material which will not hurt you wallet. If you are 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 much more elegant appearance (which can be accessible in more decorative patterns and designs) consider a Swanstone solid surface wall. Swanstone is not hard to keep up, has no joints to grout or seal and also comes in lots of choices. Usually the most expensive technique is tile (if you don’t manage to set it up yourself and save the labor hours- tile is regarded as the frustrating to set up vs. sheet products like acrylic & Swanstone). There are limitless choices and price ranges of tile and it creates a sophisticated look too.

Step 3 – Select your material, designs, colors and accents you need – 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 as well as marble finishes. In addition the walls you decide on could be smooth, 4″ x 4″ simulated tiles, 8″ x 10″ simulated tiles or even a stone look. Acrylic is not only a white smooth faced wall.

Swanstone, as it has been noted for it’s strength, color and texture consistent, grout-free quality, along with the fact it won’t crack or craze – has 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 generate a finished look. Tile provides the widest product options regarding color, accents, borders, sizes and thicknesses. Make sure to locate a high density water resistant tile for your bath or shower.

Step 4 -Choose your backerboard. Select material to adhere the wall material along with the case of tile finish the face of the wall- What you aren’t seeing inside a bathtub or shower wall panel project will be as significant as whatever you do see. Use the right material(s) behind the wall. Here are some recommendations: Acrylic – If the tile walls have been 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 save money. If the existing wall cannot be installed over placed moisture resistant green board or possibly a cement backer board. Swanstone – Like acrylic in the event the tile is within good structural shape install on the existing. If not, Swanstone could be installed over greenboard or possibly a cement board using special glue.

Tile – Poorly done tile installations have caused a great deal of wasted money historically (cheap backer board could have been used, poor grouting jobs, poor are employed in the corners are only a few of the problems). For tile installations never use green board – use sometimes a water resistant cement board or possibly a waterproof extruded polystyrene board like that created from Wedi Corporation. These boards must be glued and screwed to your framing. In addition to using the right backer board consider investing inside a urethane grout. This type of grout will not should be resealed and it is waterproof. Although it will cost you more at the start it’s going to save money in the future inside should regrout, or worse yet the should redo the shower in case you have any water damage.

Step 5 – Fix what’s behind the wall – The best time to correct an unhealthy performing shower valve, a shower head which can be too low, or add backer material to bolster the installation of your accessories occurs when you have the wall showed.

Step 6 – Identify the bathtub tub and shower accessories you would like to add function and magnificence to your project – Have you always wanted a leg ledge for shaving, most seat, a curved shower rod to help keep the water 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 to accessorize your bath or shower to restore be right for you and your family.

Step 7 – If the process sounds too difficult call a reputable contractor that’s not a “one size fits all” – Let’s face it, there are a lot of choices and installation details that should be done correctly to be sure a successful project. Calling a specialist may be higher priced inside short run but help you save long lasting costs. Make sure to choose a contractor that doesn’t attempt to push you in the one kind of shower or bath wall surround system they offer (for instance a company selling acrylic systems pushes this one solution on you). Look for a company skilled and competent in multiple systems that will look to understand the needs you have, budgets and tastes and supply different alternatives.

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