Plastic panels are an excellent alternative to ceramic cladding in the bathroom. They are considered the most acceptable option when the budget is limited, but you really want to update the interior. What are the features of such a finish and what characteristics does it have, we will consider in our article.
What are PVC panels?
Plastic bathroom panels can be compared to wooden clapboard. They are presented in the form of PVC strips, in which a notch runs along one edge, and a protrusion along the other. Due to this, the elements are securely fastened to each other and form an even and smooth coating.
The structure of the panel is represented by a large number of cells. A variety of patterns are applied to the front side of the product. It can be an imitation of wood, expensive stone and ceramic tiles. Often, the finish is presented in the form of bright and contrasting images, which can significantly enhance its decorative qualities.
Varieties of PVC cladding
All plastic bathroom panelshave the same structure and method of fixation. Only the dimensions of the slats can differ. Depending on this criterion, materials are divided into two groups:
- wall;
- ceiling.
Product names speak for themselves. Wall strips are installed on vertical surfaces. They are more durable, as they can be subjected to mechanical stress during use.
Ceiling options are very light and fragile. They are not under load, so they do not need excessive strength.
The length of plastic slats usually ranges from 250 to 600 cm. The width of the products depends on their purpose and ranges from 10-96 cm. The maximum thickness of the panels can reach 12 mm. This indicator is especially important, since the space of the room being finished is reduced by the thickness of the cladding.
According to the decorative qualities, the panels are divided into:
- matte;
- glossy;
- mirror;
- with photo printing;
- with a frieze;
- with imitation of expensive finishes.
Different design and richness of colors allow you to choose a cladding for any interior and taste of the owner.
Advantages of wall paneling
PVC cladding today is very common in private residences, in the bathrooms of cafes and restaurants, in hotel apartments. Its popularity is primarily due to its affordable price.
This wall decoration coststwo times cheaper than tiled masonry. In addition, cladding the bathroom with plastic panels has the following advantages:
- High decorative qualities. Behind the panels you can easily hide all the defects and irregularities of the walls. Ceiling slats allow you to hide ventilation communications and electrical wiring from view.
- Light weight. Panels do not exert load on the surface of the walls and ceiling. This property makes it possible to clad dilapidated walls and plasterboard partitions.
- Good insulating properties. Thanks to the fixation using tongue and groove technology, the trim elements are tightly fastened to each other. This prevents moisture from penetrating the surface of the base. It should also be noted their high sound and heat insulation performance.
- Ease of installation. Anyone can install panels on the walls of their own bathroom. The technology is so simple that you can do the job without the help of specialists.
The main advantage of plastic bathroom panels is considered to be resistance to moisture. You don’t have to worry about the walls getting moldy and the finish will fail. It is more likely that the owner will get tired of it and become outdated than it will have to be changed due to defects.
Are there any downsides to plastic bathroom walls?
Together with an abundance of positive qualities, each material also has disadvantages. As for the plastic panels for the bathroom, these are decorative and durable patterns.
Slat trim can look very impressive, but it is alwayswill lose to ceramic tiles. The panels cannot convey the texture and reliefs of noble materials, so the difference is always noticeable.
When choosing this material for decorating a bathroom, please note that with intense friction, the pattern may be erased. Walls should not be washed with abrasive products or rubbed with metal brushes.
The nuances of choosing colors
Today we are presented with just a huge selection of panels. The variety of patterns and colors makes even the most cold-blooded buyer think. To make the right choice, you need to prepare for the purchase.
First of all, decide on the design of the room. Choose the main color and possible pattern options. PVC panels for the bathroom, the photos of which are presented in our article, are full of bright colors and attractive patterns. However, pay attention to the fact that if the room is small, dark colors and large ornaments will visually make it even more cramped. In such cases, it is better to give preference to light options.
Good effect can be achieved by combining several colors and patterns. Decorate the entire space in restrained colors, and only on some sections of the walls install stripes with a large and bright pattern. The result will pleasantly surprise you.
Features of rail mounting
If you decide to install the panels in the bathroom with your own hands, please note that they can be fixed on the walls with twoways. The choice of technology should be made based on data on the condition of the walls and the size of the room.
You can fix the finishing material with an adhesive and on a pre-assembled crate. The first option allows you to leave the space of the room unchanged, but its use is possible only if the walls are even.
Mounting on a crate allows you to hide all surface irregularities, but at the same time the walls move inward by 2-5 cm. Which option is more acceptable is up to you.
What you need to prepare for work
To finish the bathroom (with PVC panels) as comfortably as possible, you need to prepare all the necessary tools in advance.
The list of required materials and fixtures includes:
- drill or puncher;
- screwdriver;
- hammer;
- furniture stapler;
- construction knife or hacksaw;
- plastic slats and profiles for frame assembly (or liquid nails);
- self-tapping screws;
- plastic dowels;
- measuring tool;
- marker.
Before starting the installation of plastic panels (for the bathroom), you need to completely empty the room. The walls must be freed from the old cladding, large cracks should be covered with putty. It is advisable to treat all surfaces with an antifungal agent.
Mounting technology: adhesive method
To repair a bathroom with panels using glue, you need to pay due attention to qualitygrounds. If the wall has a large number of bumps and depressions, the thin finish will become crooked, all defects in the base will be very noticeable.
For this reason, the walls need to be smoothed out. Clean off all the bulges with a spatula, putty the cavities. If the base is too crooked, it must be plastered. When the walls get the proper look, you can proceed with the installation of rails.
Measure the height of the walls in the room, cut the panels to the desired size. Then knead the glue of your choice. Apply it with a spatula to the back surface of the panel and press the product against the wall. Work must begin from the corner of the room.
Take the second plank and spread it with glue. Insert the element into the groove of the previous strip, press the product to the surface. Thus sheathe the entire wall. Arrangement of the corners of the room is carried out using internal and external plastic rails.
Mounting technology 2: fixing on the crate
If you decide to fix the bathroom panels with a more complex method, use the following instructions during the work:
- Install guide profiles along the perimeter of the room. For these purposes, you can use metal slats (section 40x25) and wooden planks. They are placed under the ceiling and on the floor.
- Fill in the space between the top and bottom rails of the purlin. They need to be fixed in increments of 40 cm. If the panels are mounted horizontally, then the slats are placed vertically. If the panels are arranged vertically, then the slats are horizontal.
- In all internal corners, install plastic startingslats.
- Also attach plastic strips to the guides installed around the perimeter of the room.
- Install the first panel into the groove of the upper and lower guide strip, insert its edge into the corner rail. Fix the element to the crate with screws or staples.
- Insert the second bar into the upper and lower rails. Connect it to the first cladding element and fix it on the frame. Finish all walls in this way.
If you need to cut the panel during the work, use a construction knife for this. To completely exclude the possibility of moisture penetration under the finish, the joints of adjacent panels can be smeared with sealant.
The ceiling is finished in a similar way. However, the batten pitch for horizontal surfaces can be increased up to 50 cm.
drawing conclusions
As you can see, it is enough to simply install the panels in the bathroom on your own. The photos posted in the article will help you create an impression of the upcoming work and the possible result.
If you want to update your bathroom as soon as possible, then there is simply no better cladding option. The design of the panels is infinitely diverse. Installation work does not require much power, is quick and does not contribute to the accumulation of dirt and debris.
The cost of plastic rails is also good news. One wall rail has a cost of about 200 rubles. If you preferbright design, the price tag can rise to 500 rubles. However, in any case, this is much less than the cost of tiles.
