Getting Your Swanstone Shower Wall Installation Done Right
If you're finally ready in order to tackle a swanstone shower wall installation , you're probably excited to get rid of that old, moldy grout for good. There's something incredibly satisfying regarding those solid, seamless panels that simply look clean and modern without needing a toothbrush and bleach every weekend. I've seen plenty of people get intimidated with the concept of DIYing the shower, but honestly, if you may measure accurately plus use a pipe of adhesive, you're already halfway generally there.
Swanstone is a pretty cool material because it's not simply a thin plastic shell. It's a solid surface material, which means the color will go all the way through. If a person accidentally nick this or scratch it, you can usually just buff it out. But before we get in order to the "living along with it" part, we have to get the panels onto the wall.
Getting the Room Ready
You can't just punch these panels more than a crumbling, wet wall and hope for the very best. The first step of any kind of successful swanstone shower wall installation is making sure your "bones" are usually solid. Most people recommend installing these over moisture-resistant drywall (the green stuff) or cement panel. If your outdated tile is still perfectly flat and stuck tight in order to the wall, you may sometimes go over this, but I'm a fan of a fresh begin. Tearing things down to the studs lets you look for hidden leaks or wood rot that could be lurking behind the scenes.
As soon as the walls are up and smooth, give them a good wipe-down. Dust is the enemy of adhesive. When there's a level of drywall dust everywhere, your stuff is just heading to stick to the dirt and eventually peel off away from the particular wall. Not specifically the "forever" shower you were planning on, right?
Equipment You'll Actually Require
You don't need a massive work shop for this, but the few specific points will make your daily life a lot simpler. Grab a good round saw using a fine-tooth blade—carbide-tipped is best. Given that Swanstone is a solid material, it can be a bit dusty if you cut it, therefore please, do your favor and wear a mask and eye protection. You'll also need a drill using a pit saw for the showerhead and faucet handles.
Intended for the sticky aspect, you'll need a high-quality 100% silicon sealant and a few construction adhesive. Don't cheap out right here. You want the stuff that's particularly rated for bathtub and shower encompases. A caulk weapon is a given, and perhaps some artists tape to assist hold things within place while the particular glue sets upward.
The "Dry Fit" Can be your Best Friend
This is actually the part where individuals usually get impatient. They want in order to see the completed product, so they start pumping stuff immediately. Don't do that will.
Before any adhesive touches the particular wall, you have to do the complete dry match. This means holding the panels upward exactly where they're supposed to go to see exactly how they line upward. Hardly any houses have got perfectly plumb walls or square corners. You might find that the back panel requires a quarter-inch cut off the top to sit level, or the side panel requires a slight "scribe" to suit against a wonky corner.
Spend some time here. Trim just a little, test it, and trim the little more in the event that needed. It's method simpler to fix the gap now than it is when you're wrestling with a panel covered in wet, sticky glue. When you're satisfied with how everything sits, use a pencil to tag the edges associated with the panels on the wall. This provides you a "map" for where to apply your cement adhesive later.
Making Your Cuts
When it comes to cutting the Swanstone, keep in mind that the particular finished edge usually goes toward the outside or to the corner where it will probably be covered by one more panel or a piece of trim. If you're trimming for the domestic plumbing, measure three occasions. No, seriously—measure 3 times.
A good trick for your faucet openings is by using a piece of cardboard or the shipping box the particular panels came in. Cut the cardboard towards the size associated with your panel, poke your holes via that first, plus then lay this over the real Swanstone panel. It's a great way to make certain your holes are likely to line up perfectly using the pipes adhering out of the wall before you commit to the real material.
The Sticky Part: Applying Adhesive
Once every thing is trimmed and your holes are drilled, it's period for the true swanstone shower wall installation magic. Flip the sections over (usually on a couple of sawhorses or a clean floor) and apply your adhesive.
The goal right here isn't to layer the entire back like you're frosting the cake. Instead, a person want to do 1-inch diameter "dollops" every 6 in order to 10 inches, or even the actual specific design recommended in the kit instructions. A person also want to run a bead of silicone sealant close to the perimeter associated with the panel, a couple of inches in through the edge. This produces a secondary moisture barrier just in situation any water manages to sneak previous your outer caulk line later on.
Setting the Panels
Usually, you'll want to start with the back screen. Press it into place, using your pencil marks from earlier like a guidebook. Once it's upward, give it a great "massage. " You need to push firmly all over the surface to create sure those dollops of glue are flattening out plus grabbing the wall.
Right after the back -panel is up, shift to the edges. If your package includes corner moldings, you'll slide all those in according to the directions. A few people prefer the particular look without the particular extra trim, yet the moldings can be extremely forgiving if your corner cuts weren't 100% perfect. In case you're doing the kit that overlaps at the sides, make sure a person apply a bead of silicone exactly where the panels satisfy to keep it watertight.
Pro tip: If the panels feel like they wish to pull away through the wall while the glue will be wet, you may use some measures of 2x4 to gently brace all of them against the reverse wall. Just become careful not to push so hard that you bow the panels.
The Finishing Touch: Covering
This is definitely where the project goes from "home renovation" to "professional finish. " As soon as the adhesive has had time to cure—usually 24 hours, but check your specific glue—it's time for your final caulking.
Use a top quality, kitchen-and-bath silicone that matches your Swanstone color. Run a clean bead along every joint: the corners, the base where the wall space meet the tub or shower pan, as well as the outer sides. I love to use the "wet finger" method or a specific smoothing tool to get that nice, concave look.
Don't rush this particular part. A untidy caulk job could make even the almost all expensive swanstone shower wall installation look a bit novice. If you're concerned about your steady hand, use artists tape on each sides of the particular joint, apply the caulk, smooth this out, then peel off the tape back immediately. You'll obtain a perfectly right line every time.
Caring regarding Your New Shower
One of the reasons people love Swanstone so much is that it's incredibly low-maintenance. You don't have to be concerned about grout switching orange or dark over time. In order to keep it looking new, just work with a non-abrasive cleaner. Believe it or not, a simple blend of soap plus water or a slight bathroom spray is usually usually plenty.
If a person live in an region with hard drinking water, you might observe some mineral accumulation over time. The little white vinegar usually dissolves that will right away without having damaging the finish off. Just avoid the particular super harsh stuff like steel constructed from wool or scouring patches, as those may dull the surface finish over years associated with use.
Last Thoughts
The swanstone shower wall installation is definitely a project you can handle over the weekend. It requires a bit of persistence, especially during the particular measuring and dry-fitting phase, however the outcome is a durable, beautiful shower that's going to survive a long time. It's one of those upgrades that will adds real value to your home and, more importantly, will save you from the particular constant scrubbing that will comes with traditional tile. Just get some time, measure twice, and don't end up being afraid to request a second pair associated with hands when it's time to lift these big panels in to place!