Ceramic tiles are considered traditional materials for wall decoration in the bathroom. However, in some cases, its use becomes impossible. The reason for this may be the very limited budget of the owner or too short repair time. In such situations, a moisture resistant wall panel will be an excellent alternative to tile. What is it, what is this product made of, what are its advantages and features, we will describe in this article.
Overview of the material and its types
Moisture-proof wall panels are presented on the market in the form of plastic products of various lengths and widths. Unlimited color gamut and a variety of patterns allow you to use them to finish, simulating tiles, stone and other expensive materials.
A wall panel (moisture resistant) is made of polyvinyl chloride, so that it is absolutely not afraid of moisture. Touching upon the environmental friendliness of this material, it should be noted that in comparison with MDF panels, such products are much safer. They are much more resistant to sudden changes in temperature and do not emit harmful substances into the air.
In appearance and dimensions, three types of wall panels are distinguished:
- rack and pinion;
- tiled;
- leafy.
Consider each option individually.
Rack panels
The rack wall panel (moisture resistant) made of PVC looks very much like a wooden lining, but differs from it in its ability to be used in wet rooms. The width of one such lamella varies in the range from 14 to 30 centimeters, and the length can reach about three meters.
Slatted materials are ideal for finishing the kitchen, corridor, bathroom and other small rooms. The vertical arrangement of the panels allows you to visually raise the height of the walls in low rooms, and the horizontal method of fixation adds space to narrow spaces.
During installation, each element is installed in special plastic rails and fixed with metal brackets.
Tiled Panels
This variety is available in the form of squares having various dimensions and colors. The main purpose of such products is to imitate ceramic tiles, which is why they are most often mounted in kitchens and bathrooms.
Moisture-resistant wall tiles "under the tile" can be located directly, diagonally, in a checkerboard pattern or randomly. Choosing a particular installation method, you can create unique patterns on the wall, which will help transform the room beyond recognition. Before installing such a wall cladding, be sure to level it.
Sheet Type Products
Water-resistant sheet wall panels are among the highest quality materials. They are made on the basis of fiberboard, consisting of eucalyptus fibers. Natural resins and natural oils present in the composition of the material give the product the necessary strength and fire safety.
Also in the sheets you can find panels of polyvinyl chloride. In this case, they will look like a large piece of plastic (1.22x2.44 meters), the front side of which is made in the form of various patterns and reliefs. Such elements are covered with protective compounds that protect them from the negative effects of an aggressive environment and mechanical damage.
The main advantage of such materials is the increased size, due to which the cladding has a minimum of seams, and finishing work is much faster.
Positive features
Wall panels (moisture resistant) for the bathroom have a lot of advantages, thanks to which they are very popular among the consumer and are considered the main option for replacing tiles.
The advantages of the material are as follows:
- The cost of plastic panels is quite low, so anyone can buy them.
- Wall decoration is very quick and clean. Upon completion of the work, the craftsmen do not have to bother with cleaning and taking out heavy garbage.
- Mold does not form on the surface of the plastic panels, which is very important when it comes to the bathroom.
- For such a finish, you can hide the wiring, water pipes and other communications.
- An extensive color scheme of panels and a variety of textures allows you to perform wall decoration in various styles.
- The presence of a protective layer allows you to wash plastic surfaces with any cleaning agents.
- The panels withstand shock, bending and other mechanical influences.
How to choose the moisture resistant wall panels for the bathroom
Choosing wall panels for the bathroom, you should pay attention not only to their appearance and size. Before buying such products, you must familiarize yourself with its passport. In it, the manufacturer indicates the main properties of the product and its purpose.
Indoors, you cannot use options designed for outdoor decoration, as they may be unsafe for humans. A major role is played by the waterproof class. The bathroom and the bathroom use panels with high ability to withstand moisture.
For the installation of wall panels, you will have to purchase the main components - moldings.
In the process of work, the following types may be needed:
- connecting (for connecting panels and decoration joints);
- end (decorative);
- ceiling (to mask the joints of plates and ceiling);
- angular (for decorating internal and external corners);
- starting (installed on the walls at the beginning of installation);
- universal strips.
Moisture-proof sheet wall panels (for bathroom and kitchen) can be fixed with glue, self-tapping screws or special metal brackets, which should also be purchased in advance.
Cost
As already mentioned, price is the most important criterion by which buyers choose plastic wall panels. The cost of this material depends on its main characteristics, appearance and manufacturer.
So, the simplest options with a simple pattern (size 2700x250x8 cm) will cost customers from 150 rubles apiece. Products with three-dimensional images cost about 350 rubles apiece. The price tag of sheet panels starts at 250 rubles per square meter.
Crate mounting
Wide sheet moisture-proof wall panels for the bathroom and kitchen are often mounted on a pre-mounted crate. For its assembly, wooden blocks with a cross section of 10x30 mm are used. They are placed in a horizontal or vertical position and fixed at the base with dowels.
If rack panels were chosen as the finishing material, and according to the design project, they should be installed horizontally, then the battens of the crate are fixed vertically. If the elements are fixed in a vertical position, then the bars are installed horizontally.
This installation method does not require prior alignment of the walls. If there are cavities on the surface, in such places you can simply put a bar of a larger width, and the bulges can be removed with any suitable tool.
The panels are fastened to the bars using self-tapping screws or nails that drive into the elongated groove side of the plastic product. The work is carried out in the following order:
- At the corners of the room angular rails are installed (in a vertical position).
- At a distance of about 40-60 cm from each other, wooden blocks are fixed. They are joined with vertical slats.
- Starting moldings are installed.
- The first plastic panel is mounted. With the tongue-and-groove method, all subsequent elements are fixed to it.
- The installed cladding is complemented by ceiling skirtings and other decorative battens.
Adhesive mount
If there are perfectly even surfaces, the wall panel (moisture resistant) can be attached to glue. The arrangement of elements, as in the previous case, can be vertical and horizontal.
A similar method of mounting panels is also divided into several stages:
- Measurements are taken from the walls of the room.
- Using a hacksaw (for metal), the panels and accessories are sized.
- At the beginning of the installation of the cladding, the starting bar is attached.
- In thin and winding rows, an adhesive is applied to the panel, after which it is pressed tightly against the wall. Similarly, all other elements are fixed.
- 12 hours after the installation of the lining, the joints of the panels (with each other, with the ceiling and the wall) are glued with silicone sealant.
- At the final stage, all corner joints, joints with the floor and ceiling are decorated with ceiling moldings and baseboards.
In conclusion, I would like to note that at a low cost, the quality of the material and its operational characteristics are quite high. Of course, the service life of such a finish is somewhat less than that of tiles (about 10-15 years), but owners with a small budget have the opportunity to beautifully and inexpensively transform their bathroom.