Acrylic Shower Wall Surrounds

The Top 10 Common Shower Wall Surround Panel Misconceptions Home with regard to measurements 735 X 1200

Acrylic Shower Wall Surrounds – Choosing the best shower or bathtub wall surround can be hard. Should you install acrylic, a good surface material like Swanstone, or use decorative tiles? Will the quality of the products stand quality of your time? Which one is the better match on your budget and tastes? Learn 7 practical steps to determine which wall method is good for you.

Step 1 – Determine if you want to look at your existing walls – To save money it’s nice to position 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 current walls are not spongy or bowed. If you have a plastic or fiberglass system it is not possible to position new walls over your existing materials. In these cases the current system should removed, new backerboard installed then new walls put up.

Step 2 – Think through your budget- If you’re like most you wish to get the most value on your money – a superior quality material which will not hurt you wallet. If you are considering a simple to clean cost effective material acrylic is a superb choice. It is warm to the touch, installs quickly and features a lifetime warranty.

For a much more elegant appearance (that’s obtainable in more decorative patterns and fashoins) think about a Swanstone solid surface wall. Swanstone is not hard to take care of, doesn’t have any joints to grout or seal and also comes in numerous choices. Usually the more costly technique is tile (if you do not have the ability to set it up yourself and save the labor hours- tile is easily the most frustrating to put in vs. sheet goods like acrylic & Swanstone). There are limitless choices and price ranges of tile and yes it creates a stylish look as well.

Step 3 – Select your material, designs, colors and accents you need – After you’ve selected between acrylic, Swanstone and tile you’re ready choose your design and color(s). Acrylic wall surrounds appear in a multitude of colors, patterns and finishes. There are solid, granite, metallic as well as marble finishes. In addition the walls you end up picking can be smooth, 4″ x 4″ simulated tiles, 8″ x 10″ simulated tiles or possibly a stone look. Acrylic has stopped being simply a white smooth faced wall.

Swanstone, although 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 – includes a very broad range of decorative options as well. There are over 45 standard, high shine, 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 supplies the widest product options with regards to color, accents, borders, sizes and thicknesses. Make sure to get a high density water repellent tile on your bath or shower.

Step 4 -Choose your backerboard. Select material to adhere the wall material plus the case of tile finish the facial skin of the wall- What you can’t locate in the 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 have been in sound condition install over them by adhering the acrylic with butyl tape and color match sealant. This will save money on landfill costs, decrease the project installation serious amounts of save money. If the existing wall can’t be installed over put up moisture resistant green board or perhaps a cement backer board. Swanstone – Like acrylic when the tile is within good structural shape install in the existing. If not, Swanstone can be installed over greenboard or perhaps a cement board using special glue.

Tile – Poorly done tile installations have caused plenty of wasted money historically (cheap backer board could have been used, poor grouting jobs, poor are employed in the corners are simply a few of the problems). For tile installations never use green board – use the water repellent cement board or perhaps a waterproof extruded polystyrene board like that produced from Wedi Corporation. These boards ought to be glued and screwed to your framing. In addition to while using the right backer board consider investing in the urethane grout. This type of grout will not need to be resealed which is waterproof. Although it will set you back more at the start it will save money later on inside 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 fix a poor performing shower valve, a shower head that’s too low, or to add backer material to bolster setting up your accessories is the place you have got the wall opened up.

Step 6 – Identify the tub tub and shower accessories you wish to add function and style to your project – Have you always wanted a leg ledge for shaving, a large part seat, a curved shower rod to hold water in, a hand held shower, a large part caddy, a frameless shower door, shampoo or soap niche or perhaps a grab bar? When you’re installing new wall surrounds is the best time for you to accessorize your bath or shower to make it work for you you.

Step 7 – If the process sounds too difficult call an established contractor that isn’t a “one size fits all” – Let’s face it, there are a lot of choices and installation details that need to be done right to make sure an effective project. Calling an expert may be more expensive inside the short term but save lasting costs. Make sure to pick a contractor which doesn’t try and push you in the one sort of shower or bath wall surround system you can purchase (like a company selling acrylic systems pushes this place solution giving you). Look for a company skilled and competent in multiple systems that will seek to understand your requirements, budgets and tastes and still provide different choices.

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