Wall PVC panels in the interior of the bathroom

The bathroom is one of the most difficult spaces to renovate. A large number of hard-to-reach places, the presence of communications, plumbing lead to hard work on the decorative finishing of walls, ceilings, floors. Tiling a bathroom is a laborious process that requires patience, effort and certain skills in finishing work.

Recently, it has become possible to repair the premises using PVC plastic panels. They are less whimsical in the installation process, easy to clean: they have a smooth surface that is easier to clean than ceramic tiles. No special skills are required to decorate the bathroom with PVC panels. Even a non-professional can handle such work in a few days. And most importantly, the cost of the material is available to everyone.

When buying, there are several important details worth focusing on.

• Internal transverse ribs. The more there are, the more reliable the panel is during operation. Hollow products are easy to break.
• The uniformity of the drawing. Products from different delivery batches may have slight differences in shade.
• No defects, dents, scratches, chips. It is necessary to carefully look at each panel, otherwise, during the subsequent exchange of goods with the same pattern and article number, it may be from a different batch and differ in color.
• The smooth joining of two panels over the entire surface is checked before buying in a store. If at one end the docking is tight, and at the other there is a gap of 3-4 mm, then it is better to refuse this product.

There is a way to check the quality of a plastic product. It is not applicable in the store, but it is useful in everyday life. A small piece of the panel is cut from the back along its entire length. The front part remains intact. The panel is folded forward at a right angle at the cut. If the product does not burst when bent, then it is of high quality.

The thickness of PVC wall panels for bathroom decoration vary. Too thin can be damaged during installation or transportation. A product that is too thick is difficult to place in narrow places. The best option would be a thickness of 5 to 10 mm. The length of the panels, depending on the manufacturer, is 260 cm, 270 cm, or 300 cm. This allows you to calculate the required amount of material and the possibility of combining different color inserts. The width of a standard product is 25 cm, some manufacturers have a width of 30, 35, 37.5 cm.Wide options are presented in sizes of 1 m and 1.2 m.

Panels are divided into four types depending on the size:

• rack;
• wall standard;
• tiled;
• leafy.

The slats are narrowest in width and are not suitable for finishing the bathroom. Sheet panels are too wide and are used more often for finishing the facades of buildings.

As a finishing material, PVC panels have their pros and cons.

The advantages include some points.

• Strength and durability. After installation, this material is more difficult to damage than drywall.
• Easy to install even on uneven surfaces.With minimal cost and effort, the interior of the bathroom is renewed.
• The ability to hide pipes and other communications behind a box with access to meters and valves. Complex structures can be made from panels, up to small opening doors.
• Practicality and ease of care. The material does not absorb dirt. The smooth surface is easy to clean. PVC tolerates the use of modern detergents well.
• Rich color palette. Modern manufacturers offer a huge selection of colors, patterns and textures of PVC panels, for example, 3D version or vinyl models. You can sheathe the room with any option you choose.

• Moisture resistance, no mold or mildew on the surface of the product. In comparison with other facing board materials: MDF panels, plasterboard, PVC panels are not affected by moisture.
• Resistant to temperature fluctuations. Tests have shown that polyvinyl chloride can withstand drops from -50 ° C to + 50 ° C. The material can be used in the country for facing a gazebo or veranda.
• Low price. The material has a budgetary cost, and the purchase of ceramic tiles is less profitable for the family budget.

Some of the inherent disadvantages of this material:

• fragility during installation, requiring a certain degree of care;
• heating elements should not be placed close to the plastic material, it is advisable to leave the gap about 3-5 cm;
• the space left between the wall and the panel during installation may undergo fungal changes that will be difficult to notice without dismantling.

PVC panels are applied in two ways.

1. The first method is frame or with the help of lathing. Wall leveling and fixing directly to the surface using glue or liquid nails.
2. Without leveling the walls onto a pre-fabricated metal or wood frame using fasteners, glue or liquid nails.

The first method is less laborious and costly, does not require special skills in construction and takes less time. A metal or wooden frame is applied to the entire surface with the help of dowels. The abutment of the wall to the floor and ceiling must be marked with planks. Between them, horizontally and vertically, we nail or fasten the slats or metal profile with self-tapping screws. To prevent the panels from bending, the distance between the horizontal strips must be left at least 40 cm.

It is necessary to start cladding with plastic material from the far upper corner from the entrance. Moreover, both horizontal and vertical installation of the material is possible. Special attention is required when installing only the first panel. Having accurately attached the first panel, the rest are connected automatically. The panels are installed with fasteners, glue or liquid nails. When using slatted lathing, it is possible to fix the finishing material with a construction stapler and staples. PVC panels are connected to each other through side grooves, fit tightly to each other, without a visible seam. It is advisable to treat the joints with a sealant. Plastic moldings are installed in the corners for structural stability and aesthetic appearance.

When decorating, a connecting molding, end molding, as well as a plastic skirting board is also used. The number is determined individually, depending on the protrusions, corners and design features.

Advantages of the frame method:

• simplicity of preliminary finishing work;
• replacement of a damaged part without the need to disassemble the entire row;
• the ability to quickly dismantle the structure.

There are also significant disadvantages of the wireframe method:

• moisture can accumulate in the gaps between the wall and the panels, which leads to the formation of mold;
• the already small bathroom area is reduced due to the thickness of the metal profile or wooden lath;
• internal clearance makes the structure fragile.

The second installation option involves fixing the panels directly to the walls or ceiling. To do this, it is necessary to carry out a preliminary removal of paint and other old materials from the wall, leveling the surface.

Significant advantages in this option:

• the fragility of each element decreases;
• there are no gaps between the wall and the panel covering, in which moisture could accumulate and cause the formation of fungus;
• the dimensions of the room remain almost unchanged;
• less work related to measurements and fabrication of the frame.

The disadvantages can be considered the impossibility of replacing the damaged part and the difficulty in dismantling.

For information on how to decorate the walls in the bathroom with plastic panels, see the next video.

By the method of applying color coating, laminated, printed and fully painted panels are distinguished. When laminating, a film with a pattern is applied to the panel, then the surface is treated with a special compound that allows you to keep the color for a long time. The second method involves printing the design directly onto a plastic surface. The pattern applied in this way is short-lived, fade quickly and wears out during wet cleaning.

Plain color panels are initially produced in a specific color. The coloring compound is added to the polyvinyl chloride base and the panel is cast and painted in the desired tone. Pure white versions are often produced. Plain panels are also used for household bathroom decoration.

PVC panels presented in stores amaze with a variety of patterns and rich colors. The bathroom design can be done in any color and style. If you choose light colors, then this will visually expand the room, and it will not seem so small.

The combination of products of different colors will be interesting and unusual. The alternation of light and dark shades along the entire perimeter will create the impression of an expensive and stylish finish. The wooden texture of the material will bring the bathroom closer to the country style and resemble a sauna or country bath. Now it is becoming a fashion trend.

The colors of the walls and ceiling in natural marble look like an approximation to the classic design of the room. PVC panels with photo printing appeared, the variety of patterns of which allows you to create a unique design in the bathroom. This material can be easily combined with the use of other finishing materials.

• LLC "Ural-Plast" manufactures panels using the latest technologies. The products are successfully tested for quality. The color scheme is rich and varied. The price segment is average.
• LLC "Anv-Plast" specializes in printed or plain colors. Budget price.
• Green Line is engaged in the manufacture of plastic finishing materials from environmentally friendly raw materials. The assortment is extensive: colors, patterns, textures represent almost all possible types and shades. Average cost.
• LLC "Planet plastic" manufactures its products based on the experience of European manufacturers. The printed method of drawing a pattern on PVC is used. The price category is average.

PVC panels are able to hide wall defects, they are easy to install and easy to clean. They tolerate moisture and temperature extremes well. Their rich color scheme gives room for imagination, and the low price saves the family budget. Stopping your choice for wall decoration in the bathroom on this material, you can not worry about the durability and wear resistance of plastic panels.