Polished Porcelain Tile For Shower Walls

Anatolia Tile Statuario Polished Porcelain Tile Shower Tub Surround inside proportions 3024 X 4032

Polished Porcelain Tile For Shower Walls – Choosing the best shower or bathtub wall surround can be tough. Should you install acrylic, a great surface material like Swanstone, or use decorative tiles? Will the grade of the products stand test of energy? Which one is the greatest match for your budget and tastes? Learn 7 practical steps to determine which wall strategy is best for you.

Step 1 – Determine if you would like to review your existing walls – To cut costs it’s nice to put a bathtub or shower wall surround over a preexisting 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 existing walls usually are not spongy or bowed. If you have a plastic or fiberglass system it’s not at all possible to set new walls over your existing materials. In these cases the existing system will need to removed, new backerboard installed then new walls offered.

Step 2 – Think through your budget- If you’re similar to most you wish to obtain the most value for your money – a high quality material which doesn’t hurt you wallet. If you’re looking for a straightforward to scrub affordable material acrylic is an excellent choice. It is warm to the touch, installs quickly and includes a lifetime warranty.

For a more elegant appearance (that’s accessible in more decorative patterns and designs) look at a Swanstone solid surface wall. Swanstone is easy to take care of, doesn’t have any joints to grout or seal and is available in numerous choices. Usually the costliest technique is tile (unless you manage to do the installation yourself and save the labor hours- tile is the most time consuming to install vs. sheet goods like acrylic & Swanstone). There are limitless choices and price ranges of tile plus it creates an elegant look also.

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 can be found in a variety of colors, patterns and finishes. There are solid, granite, metallic and also marble finishes. In addition the walls you choose could be smooth, 4″ x 4″ simulated tiles, 8″ x 10″ simulated tiles or even a stone look. Acrylic is no longer only a white smooth faced wall.

Swanstone, while it has been recognized for it’s strength, color and texture consistent, grout-free quality, as well as the fact it won’t crack or craze – includes a very broad range of decorative options also. There are over 45 standard, glossy, and granite colors. In addition there are decorative panels to develop unique architectural designs named Pebble, Geometric, Beadboard, Tangier and Barcelona. There are also designer trim pieces and rosettes to create a finished look. Tile supplies the widest product options when it comes to color, accents, borders, sizes and thicknesses. Make sure to locate a high density waterproof tile for your bath or shower.

Step 4 -Choose your backerboard. Select material to adhere the wall material and in the situation of tile finish the facial skin of the wall- What you aren’t seeing inside a bathtub or shower wall panel project is really as significant as what you do see. Use the right material(s) behind the wall. Here are some recommendations: Acrylic – If the tile walls come in very good 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 some time to cut costs. If the existing wall cannot be installed over offered moisture resistant green board or a cement backer board. Swanstone – Like acrylic if 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 plenty of wasted money historically (cheap backer board might 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 whether waterproof cement board or a waterproof extruded polystyrene board like this made from Wedi Corporation. These boards should be glued and screwed in your framing. In addition to with all the right backer board consider investing inside a urethane grout. This type of grout doesn’t must be resealed which is waterproof. Although it can cost you more at the start it will cut costs down the road inside the must regrout, or worse yet the must redo the shower for those who have any water damage.

Step 5 – Fix what’s behind the wall – The best time to repair a poor performing shower valve, a shower head that’s too low, in order to add backer material to bolster investing in your accessories occurs when you’ve got the wall opened.

Step 6 – Identify the tub tub and shower accessories you wish to add function and style in your project – Have you always wanted a leg ledge for shaving, most seat, a curved shower rod to hold the lake 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 to accessorize your bath or shower making it do the job and your loved ones.

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 tons of choices and installation details that must be done right to make sure a successful project. Calling a specialist could possibly be higher priced inside the growing process but help save long-term costs. Make sure to choose a contractor that does not attempt to push you in to the one kind of shower or bath wall surround system they sell (for example a company selling acrylic systems pushes this place solution giving you). Look for a company skilled and competent in multiple systems that can seek to understand your preferences, budgets and tastes and offer alternative ideas.

Know you’re built with 7 steps that can function as a good outline to plan your acrylic, Swanstone or tile bathtub or shower wall surround installation.