Choosing and Fitting Shower Wall Panels in Your Bathroom
White granite shower wall panel from JT Spas
Whether you’re refurbing your outdated bathroom, or trying to decide on finishings for your new build, we know how important it is to get every detail of your bathroom right, so it fits with your overall design theme.
Getting things perfect doesn't have to be difficult though. There are a few simple additions you can introduce to achieve your desired look and feel. One of the easiest ways to start creating a design theme in your bathroom is to think carefully about the walls.
When you do come to decide what you’d like to use on your shower walls, there are a few different options to choose from. But your focus will likely be on making sure your choice is watertight, budget-friendly, easy to install and of course… that it looks good! And what better way to assure all of these things, than with shower wall panels Let’s take a closer look at how to choose and fit these stylish, great value panels.
How to choose and fit shower wall panels
Step 1: Decide on your bathroom theme
Before you start the manual side of things, it’s a sensible idea to decide on a bathroom theme. Then you can dedicate your time to finding shower wall panels to fit your goals. You may decide you want bright and plain, or you might want something a bit darker with some texture.
Likewise, you may envisage your shower wall panels blending into your bathroom. Alternatively, you might want them to stand out, almost acting as the focal point. Knowing what you’re looking for at this stage will make things easier for you going forward.
Step 2: Find a supplier
Before we get practical, finding a reputable supplier to order your shower wall panels from will be essential. To assure quality, you may like to purchase from a company who specialises in luxury bathroom furniture. For example, at JT Spas, we’re the UK and Ireland’s largest independent retailer of discounted bathroom furniture and we stock endless different shower wall panel designs.
Step 3: Gather your equipment
To fit your shower wall panels, you’ll likely need:
Clear adhesive sealant
Corner trim
Foam tape roll
Sanding pad
Tile spacers
Silicone finishing tool
Caulking gun
Safety goggles (it’s important to make sure you’re being as safe as possible when conducting DIY at home)
Tape measure
Blade
Stanley knife or electric/fine tooth saw
Step 4: First you’ll need to measure the wall where you’ll be fitting the shower wall panel.
Step 5: Then you’ll need to cut your panel to fit your wall dimensions. Lay your panel face-up, so it’s completely flat and mark out the cutting lines. You can use masking tape to guard the edges whilst you cut the panel down.
Step 6: Now it’s time to remove any wall panel that you don’t need. You can use your electric saw to do this (not forgetting your safety goggles of course!)
Step 7: Use your sanding pad to level out the edges of the panel and make sure they’re as smooth as possible. Then turn your panel over so it’s face-down and go over the surface. Sanding the back of the panel will help the sealant work better.
Step 8: Fit the panels together using a corner trim and sealant. Once the trim is in place, add a small amount of sealant to the wall and put the corner panel in. You can then insert tile spacers under the wall panel so you can add sealant later.
Step 9: Now it’s time to add sealant to the wall. Add 3 lines of foam tape from top to bottom of the board, then add a thin layer of sealant down either side of the tape, followed by a zig-zag pattern from top to bottom. For maximum coverage, you can finish by circling the sealant.
Step 10: Fit the end piece by adding sealant inside the trim and on the edge of the shower wall panel. Then you can take away the backing layer of foam tape.
Step 11: Put the panel into position at an angle, fitting it into the corner piece.
Step 12: Replicate the process for the remaining shower wall panels. Just keep making sure that the panels are in the right place before you smooth them down. Use masking tape to create a smooth finish following application of the sealant, and remember that you can use a tongue and groove if you want a less visible join.
Step 13: Ensure everything is in its place, remove the tape and enjoy the finish.
Please note that this guide is for general information. Every bathroom will be different and we unfortunately can’t provide guidance for every single challenge you may come across. If you’re struggling, make sure to seek professional guidance. And if you have any questions about our shower wall panels, please get in touch.