Tile For Shower Wall
|Tile For 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 they stand test of time? Which one is the better match to your budget and tastes? Learn 7 practical steps to determine which wall system is best for you.
Step 1 – Determine if you want to check out your existing walls – To lower your expenses 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 providing 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 will likely need to removed, new backerboard installed then new walls put up.
Step 2 – Think through your budget- If you’re like most you need to get the most value to your money – a superior quality material which will not hurt you wallet. If you desire an easy to scrub cost-effective material acrylic is a great choice. It is warm to the touch, installs quickly and features a lifetime warranty.
For an even more elegant appearance (which is obtainable in more decorative patterns and designs) consider a Swanstone solid surface wall. Swanstone is simple to keep, has no joints to grout or seal and is available in a multitude of choices. Usually the more costly method is tile (unless you be capable of install it yourself and save the labor hours- tile is easily the most time consuming to put in vs. sheet items like acrylic & Swanstone). There are limitless choices and price ranges of tile also it creates a sophisticated look also.
Step 3 – Select your material, designs, colors and accents you desire – After you’ve selected between acrylic, Swanstone and tile it is time to choose your design and color(s). Acrylic wall surrounds can be found in a variety of colors, patterns and finishes. There are solid, granite, metallic plus marble finishes. In addition the walls you decide on may be smooth, 4″ x 4″ simulated tiles, 8″ x 10″ simulated tiles or maybe a stone look. Acrylic is no longer just a white smooth faced wall.
Swanstone, as it continues to be known for it’s strength, color and texture consistent, grout-free quality, and the fact it certainly can’t crack or craze – features a very broad range of decorative options also. There are over 45 standard, high gloss, 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 generate a finished look. Tile offers the widest product options with regards to 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 along with the situation of tile finish the facial skin from the wall- What you can’t locate in a very bathtub or shower wall panel project is really 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 shape install over them by adhering the acrylic with butyl tape and color match sealant. This will reduce landfill costs, slow up the project installation some time and lower your expenses. If the existing wall cannot be 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 on the existing. If not, Swanstone may be installed over greenboard or even a cement board using special glue.
Tile – Poorly done tile installations have caused lots of wasted money historically (cheap backer board may have been used, poor grouting jobs, poor are employed in the corners are just a few from the problems). For tile installations never use green board – use either a water-resistant cement board or even a waterproof extruded polystyrene board like that made out of Wedi Corporation. These boards ought to be glued and screwed for a framing. In addition to while using the right backer board consider investing in a very urethane grout. This type of grout will not need to be resealed which is waterproof. Although it will cost you more beforehand it’ll lower your expenses as time goes on in the need to regrout, or worse yet the need to redo the shower if you have any water damage.
Step 5 – Fix what’s behind the wall – The best time to solve an unhealthy performing shower valve, a shower head which is too low, as well as to add backer material to boost setting up your accessories is the place you’ve got the wall opened.
Step 6 – Identify the tub tub and shower accessories you need to add function and elegance for a project – Have you always wanted a leg ledge for shaving, a corner seat, a curved shower rod to hold the lake in, a hand held shower, a corner caddy, a frameless shower door, shampoo or soap niche or even a grab bar? When you’re installing new wall surrounds is the ideal time to accessorize your bath or shower to make it meet your needs and your family.
Step 7 – If the process sounds too difficult call a reputable contractor that isn’t a “one size fits all” – Let’s face it, there are plenty of choices and installation details that need to be done correctly to ensure a prosperous project. Calling a professional might be more costly in the short term but save you long lasting costs. Make sure to pick a contractor which doesn’t try to push you in to the one kind of shower or bath wall surround system you can choose from (for instance a company selling acrylic systems pushes this place solution you). Look for a company skilled and competent in multiple systems that can aim to understand your preferences, budgets and tastes and still provide alternative ideas.
Know you’re built with 7 steps that may serve as a good outline to plan your acrylic, Swanstone or tile bathtub or shower wall surround installation.