The decoration of the bathroom walls is a matter of responsibility, as in this room there is usually high humidity. For this reason, not all materials are suitable for finishing work. The main requirement for them is waterproof. Perfectly these conditions are satisfied by the tile, but it is expensive and time-consuming to install. Therefore, many owners have resorted to the use of such material as PVC panels for the bathroom.
PVC panels for the bathroom: advantages and disadvantages
PVC wall panels are a modern finishing material. They are made of a polymeric substance, so they do not let water through. This wall covering material is made in the form of 3-meter hollow perforated panels inside. This length allows installation without horizontal joints in any residential premises. Their width can be several standard sizes.
The front of the panels has a variety of drawings and coloring. The ends of the products have special locks for easy installation. When finishing this material, it is necessary to purchase various additional elements with it: internal and external corners, strips and borders.
The most economical option for decorating the walls in the bathroom is to self-veneer the PVC panels for the bathroom. The advantages of this option:
- The cheapness of the material itself. The cost of plastic panels compared to tile lower than several times.
- Low cost of production work. In addition, the decoration can be done without much effort.
- Convenience and speed of installation.
- Lack of “wet” stages of work at the device of such walls.
Among the shortcomings can be noted: small strength, poor environmental friendliness of plastic panels and a poor choice of design. Although there are a large number of colors and patterns, freedom in design solutions is limited due to the peculiarities of the dimensions and mounting of the material.
If it is decided to make the wall trim PVC panels for the bathroom, then you need to properly make their choice. There are several types of plastic wall panels, of which PVC is the cheapest option. At the same time, this material has good water resistance, which allows it to be used in rooms with high humidity, such as a bathroom.
Photo repair the bathroom of small size: create a bathroom with the mind. We plan the space: the choice of tiles, lighting, plumbing, furniture, washing machine. Pipes and waterproofing.
When choosing PVC panels should pay attention to the fact that they were absent various relief decorations. They give more volume and originality, but only in the bathroom such things can cause accumulation of dirt and mold, which is unacceptable.
The color scheme must match the size of the room. The smaller it is, the brighter the color should be. Dark colors visually reduce the space. The use of black color is unacceptable, also because it will clearly show any slight dirt. The most optimal is the use of light blue and green tones. This range promotes relaxation and rest. Bright tones of the red spectrum cause excitement and aggression.
According to the style, there are various patterns. It can be natural motifs: flowers, leaves, sea azure. Geometric shapes on the surface of the walls also do not lose their relevance. There are panels in the form of panels with different compositions, but they are much more expensive. The choice of style and colors should be subject to the tastes of the owners and be thought out in all details.
Helpful advice! When planning the installation of plastic panels in the bathroom, you must immediately determine the mounting location of various cabinets, shelves and other interior elements. On these places you need to pre-fix wooden bars or profiles. This will help to further firmly secure these items on the walls without damaging the newly mounted panels.
In the self-finishing of the bathroom walls with plastic panels is nothing complicated. Any man with the skills of repair work, is able to make a high-quality lining, if you follow certain instructions and rules.
Before starting work it is necessary to calculate the need for materials. It is enough to measure the perimeter of the bathroom. Most often, one panel has a width of 25 cm. Therefore, for lining 1 running meter, 4 panels are enough. If the width is different from the standard, the calculations need to be done individually. In addition to the main material, you want to purchase the corners and other additional elements. Their number is also not difficult to count.
Helpful advice! It is necessary to purchase material from the store with a small margin, since the corner panels will most likely have to be cut. When calculating the need to not forget to subtract the area of the doorway.
If the installation of panels is planned on the batten, then you need to purchase the required number of guide profiles. They need at least three on each wall, although it can be more. When mounting on liquid nails or glue there is no such need. The tool must also be available: a screwdriver, a sharp knife and a gun for sealant.
The advantage of plastic panels is their ability to hide all surface irregularities. Therefore, the walls do not need any serious preparation, if there are no mounds more than 10 mm. high. Such irregularities can simply be cut off without paying much attention to them. The situation is different if you plan to stick the panel. In this case, the wall should be perfectly flat.
It is necessary in the preparation for the work to pay attention to the wiring. If the wires are old and they are on the surface of the walls, then it is better to replace them, since then it will be problematic to do so. Not superfluous will be applied to the walls of waterproofing material. This is especially true if the walls are wooden.
Plastic panels can be attached to the walls in two ways: on glue and on guides. The first method is the easiest, but it has several disadvantages. It is only suitable for perfectly flat walls. The glued panels are subsequently very difficult to detach from the wall, which will make disassembly difficult in the event of a new repair.
Mounting the panels on the batten is the most convenient way. In this case, the minor irregularities of the walls can not pay attention, and disassemble such a design, if necessary, is not difficult. The crate can be made of wooden bars, but it is better to buy factory plastic rails with special locks for fastening the panels. This eliminates the need to screw several screws into each panel. In addition, the tree in a damp room will quickly begin to rot.
Guides are mounted horizontally at the ceiling, floor and in the middle. The panel is mounted on the rails using special clamps, which is very easy installation and disassembly.
Installation of PVC panels for the bathroom should be started from the angle farthest from the entrance in the following sequence:
- The first panel is cut in height and fastened with clips or screws to the guides strictly vertically.
- The following panels are inserted with the end to each other in the lock. This allows them to plant tightly and hide fasteners.
- Gradually closes the entire wall. With the level you need to control the vertical installation.
- Having reached the corner, we cut the extreme panel and close the transition to another wall with a corner.
- Having completed the installation of all panels, the ends must be closed using edging profiles.
- The design of the entire decoration is completed with the installation of corners or cornices to the ceiling and baseboards to the floor.
All corners and joints where the penetration of moisture is possible must be treated with a sealant. This will protect against unpleasant situations in the future. When facing walls with plastic panels, the same material can be closed and the ceiling. This approach will protect against the penetration of moisture into the ceiling.
Helpful advice! Apartment owners in new buildings are recommended to finish the bathroom with PVC panels. This will avoid the crackle of the tile during shrinkage at home. After 2 – 3 years, you can make a tiled floor.
If you choose the right and tastefully assemble PVC wall panels in the bathroom, then it will not only be functional and waterproof, but it will also look beautiful and stylish.
