Teak Shower Walls
|Teak Shower Walls – Choosing the best shower or bathtub wall surround can often be difficult. Should you install acrylic, a great surface material like Swanstone, or use decorative tiles? Will the quality of these items stand quality of your energy? Which one is the best match for your budget and tastes? Learn 7 practical steps to determine which wall system is good for you.
Step 1 – Determine if you want to review your existing walls – To cut costs it’s nice to place a bathtub or shower wall surround over a current surface. It is possible to use specialized glue or butyl tape to adhere acrylic or Swanstone solid surface materials over existing tile provided that the existing walls aren’t spongy or bowed. If you have a plastic or fiberglass system it isn’t possible to place new walls over your existing materials. In these cases the existing system will need to removed, new backerboard installed and then new walls placed.
Step 2 – Think through your budget- If you’re like the majority of you would like to get the most value for your money – a top quality material which will not hurt your wallet. If you are looking for a simple to completely 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 (which is available in more decorative patterns and styles) think about a Swanstone solid surface wall. Swanstone is straightforward to keep up, does not have any joints to grout or seal and also comes in numerous choices. Usually the most expensive method is tile (unless you be capable of install it yourself and save the labor hours- tile is easily the most time-consuming to install vs. sheet goods like acrylic & Swanstone). There are limitless choices and price ranges of tile and it creates a classy look as well.
Step 3 – Select your material, designs, colors and accents you would like – After you’ve selected between acrylic, Swanstone and tile you’re ready to choose your design and color(s). Acrylic wall surrounds appear in many colors, patterns and finishes. There are solid, granite, metallic as well as marble finishes. In addition the walls you decide on might be smooth, 4″ x 4″ simulated tiles, 8″ x 10″ simulated tiles or maybe a stone look. Acrylic is no longer simply a white smooth faced wall.
Swanstone, while it continues to be famous for it’s strength, color and texture consistent, grout-free quality, and also the fact it certainly can’t crack or craze – includes a very broad range of decorative options as well. There are over 45 standard, shiny, 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 offers the widest product options when it comes to color, accents, borders, sizes and thicknesses. Make sure to look for a high density water-resistant tile for your bath or shower.
Step 4 -Choose your backerboard. Select material to adhere the wall material as well as in the truth of tile finish the face from the wall- What you do not see in a bathtub or shower wall panel project is as significant as everything you do see. Use the right material(s) behind the wall. Here are some recommendations: Acrylic – If the tile walls are in good condition install over them by adhering the acrylic with butyl tape and color match sealant. This will reduce landfill costs, decrease the project installation some time to cut costs. If the existing wall can’t be installed over placed moisture resistant green board or perhaps a cement backer board. Swanstone – Like acrylic if the tile is within good structural shape install on the existing. If not, Swanstone might 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 might have been used, poor grouting jobs, poor be employed in the corners are simply a few from the problems). For tile installations never use green board – use whether water-resistant cement board or perhaps a waterproof extruded polystyrene board that way 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 a urethane grout. This type of grout will not have to be resealed and is also waterproof. Although it can cost you more beforehand it’ll cut costs in the future in the 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 correct a poor performing shower valve, a shower head which is too low, as well as to add backer material to strengthen installing your accessories occurs when you have got the wall opened up.
Step 6 – Identify the tub tub and shower accessories you would like to add function and style for your project – Have you always wanted a leg ledge for shaving, a large part seat, a curved shower rod to maintain the lake 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 perfect time to accessorize your bath or shower making it be right for you and your family.
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 plenty of choices and installation details that have to be done right to make certain an excellent project. Calling an expert may be higher priced in the growing process but help you save lasting costs. Make sure to go with a contractor which doesn’t try and push you to the one type of shower or bath wall surround system they offer (for instance a company selling acrylic systems pushes this place solution you). Look for a company skilled and competent in multiple systems that may seek to understand your needs, budgets and tastes and supply different alternatives.
Know you’re equipped with 7 steps that will function as a good outline to plan your acrylic, Swanstone or tile bathtub or shower wall surround installation.