The modern market of finishing materials offers many practical solutions for finishing bathrooms. Until recently, those who were planning to renovate their toilet had only two options - painting the walls or tiling them. Now you can choose from several available options, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages.
In today's article we would like to tell you about one of the easiest and most convenient ways to finish walls and ceilings in a bathroom - plastic panels. You will learn about the features of this finishing material, the basic principles of working with it, as well as how to choose the right plastic panels for the toilet.
pros
First, let's look at the positive aspects of using plastic panels as a finishing material for a bathroom. The list of advantages of these products is quite impressive:
- Low price. This method of surface finishing is one of the most cost-effective. It would be cheaper to paint with water-based emulsion.
- Easy to install. Plastic panels do not require special repair skills. Even those who have undertaken repairs for the first time can cope with their installation.
- Fast installation. Installation of one PVC panel takes just a few minutes. Since bathrooms usually have a very small area, all the work will take you very little time.
- No need for surface preparation. There is no need to level or plaster the walls for plastic panels.
- Low maintenance requirements. PVC is a waterproof material that perfectly withstands wet cleaning and contact with various detergents. Therefore, keeping the walls in the toilet clean will not be difficult.
- Wear resistance. Despite the fact that plastic is a fragile material, if you do not subject it to strong mechanical stress, PVC panels will last you quite a long time.
Minuses
However, plastic panels have not only positive aspects. This finishing material does not have many negative qualities, but they are still present, so one cannot remain silent about them. So, the disadvantages of PVC panels are:
- Instability to heat and fire. Plastic panels are deformed under the influence of high temperatures, so heaters and heated towel rails should not be placed close to them. In addition, plastic is not a fire-resistant material: it can catch fire if it comes into contact with fire. Therefore, you need to be careful when smoking in the toilet.
- Large dimensions. At first glance, it seems that the plastic panels are absolutely flat, but in fact they can be up to 2 cm thick. In addition, a few more centimeters of space are often “eaten up” if the walls in the room are uneven. For large bathrooms this is not critical, but in small toilets this can become a real problem, as it will not allow the tiny area to be used to the maximum.
Types of panels
Plastic panels intended for finishing walls and ceilings in the bathroom come in several varieties.
Leafy
The most popular type is sheet panels, which are rectangles from one to one and a half meters long. The thickness of such panels is 0.3-0.6 cm. They can be plain, with ornaments or imitation of natural structures - wood or stone. It is most convenient to work with sheet panels due to their large dimensions.
Rack and pinion
Slatted panels for finishing bathrooms are used much less frequently. They are most often used for outdoor work or large premises. This type of plastic panels looks like long narrow strips. The length of such panels is from 4.4 to 3.7 meters, and the width is from 12 to 30 cm. Slat panels imitating wooden beams look especially impressive.
Stacked tiles
The least common type of plastic panels are type-setting tiles. They are squares of different sizes, which allows you to lay out various patterns on the walls and ceiling, like a mosaic. The elements are connected through grooves in the panels, and everything is held together with special glue or clamps.
- If you want to purchase a product with maximum strength, choose plastic panels with a thickness of at least 0.8 cm. In addition, pay attention to the number of “ribs” on the inside - they give additional rigidity.
- The quality of plastic panels can be determined by its appearance. Take a close look at the front of the product: the paint should be applied evenly, and the design, if there is one, should be clearly printed.
- As with wallpaper, the color of the same wall panels and different batches may vary by several shades. Therefore, buy products only from one batch.
The high cost of wall panels does not always indicate equally high quality, so price should not be the determining factor when choosing. However, material that costs significantly less than its counterparts from other manufacturers is usually not made in good faith.
Preparation and stages of repair
Before you begin finishing the toilet with plastic panels, you should carry out some preliminary work. By this stage of the repair, you already need to install a toilet, level the floor, lay it with ceramic tiles or cover it with linoleum.
Experts advise preparing plastic panels for installation and further use by treating them with an antiseptic. This will protect the material from heat and moisture, so there will be no risk of mold and mildew.
- Stage 1. Installation of the side posts, which will serve as the basis for the frame.
- Stage 2. Lathing the structure with slats and cross members.
- Stage 3. Attaching plastic fittings.
- Stage 4. Cutting and installing plastic panels.
Basic principles and installation
Let's consider each of the above stages of work in more detail.
- One rack should be placed in each corner of the room. At the same time, they should not be in contact with the floor and ceiling, so we place some material between the racks and surfaces. After the structure is fixed with screws, the temporary support will need to be removed. The side posts must be placed plumb so that they are strictly parallel. We maintain a step of 0.3-0.4 meters between fasteners (we use screws as fasteners).
- The sheathing of the side posts is done with wooden blocks along the perimeter of the structure at the top and bottom. The fasteners should be screwed in at an angle of 45 degrees - this way we can securely fix two slats at once. Next, the slats need to be secured to the walls using self-tapping screws. This is the main frame, which, if necessary, can be supplemented with side posts or cross bars. The step between frame elements should be about 0.5 meters.
- We nail the plastic fittings to the frame using nails and a hammer. The fittings need to be cut at an angle of 45 degrees - this way it will fit more tightly. Since PVC panels are quite flexible, we install fittings, including in the corners. If there is a gap between the slats and the wall, fill it with scraps of plastic, then hammer in a nail. Nails for installation should be selected with large flat heads. In order not to damage the plastic elements when driving nails, the final blows are performed not on the head, but on the protective attachment (for example, you can use a nail).
- The final stage, if the frame and fittings are installed correctly, takes very little time. We cut plastic panels using a hacksaw. At the same time, the size of each sheet should be a centimeter and a half less than the space prepared for it, since the missing length is compensated by plastic fittings. We insert the cut sheet into the grooves and attach it to the slats. We insert the next sheet into the previous one, then also nail it to the crossbars.
The desire of every apartment owner to furnish their home with taste and comfort is quite natural, especially when it comes to such a place as a toilet. At the same time, it is quite natural to want to save on finishing. At first glance, everything is quite complicated, because currently the choice of materials for finishing is very large. But, focusing on the contents of the wallet, it is easy to divide materials into budget and expensive.
Among the budget options for finishing a toilet, plastic panels are widely popular, which, due to their characteristics, are ideal for decorating walls and ceilings not only in the toilet, but throughout the entire bathroom.
Beautiful designs can be seen in the photo. Not only that, they are also easy to attach and also easy to dismantle in case of deformation. Therefore, to install them, you do not need to have any special knowledge and skills, but only the desire to do the wall cladding in the toilet and bathroom yourself.
Advantages and disadvantages of plastic panels when finishing a toilet
It should be noted that over time, the quality of the material sold has become much better and more adapted to certain operating conditions. Previously, plastic finishing was chosen only when repairs to the toilet were strictly limited by budget. But now you can use it to decorate the room and hide all the imperfections of the walls. You can verify this by looking at various photos of designs. Various shades, patterns, textures and shapes will help make the interior unique and functional. But as always happens, finishing with plastic panels has its advantages and disadvantages.
Let's get to know them better:
Advantages
- Easy to attach.
- Easy to wash and clean.
- Resistant to aggressive detergents.
- Sufficient strength of the material, achieved thanks to additional stiffening ribs.
- They have significant wear resistance.
- Low cost.
- The design allows you to close all communications, including pipes and wiring.
- It is possible to make an additional layer for sound and heat insulation.
- The vertical installation method visually lengthens the space.
Flaws
- Despite the stiffening ribs, the panel itself is thin and can crack under significant force.
- When planning to use plastic in a toilet or bathroom, you should pay attention to its safety for humans. Because some low quality models may contain aldehydes or other dangerous toxins.
- There is a risk of easy fire as plastic has little fire resistance. Therefore, when purchasing, choose plastic panels with the most fire-resistant characteristics.
- The area of the toilet or bathroom is slightly reduced due to the way the panels are fastened.
Plastic panels are mainly used for wall cladding in the bathroom and toilet, because they have the necessary characteristics for this. However, designers do not recommend covering walls with plastic in residential areas.
Color palette of plastic panels
The palette of PVC panels is so diverse that with its help you can create a real cozy corner for consumers with absolutely any taste. There are many photos on the Internet showing various color shades and their combinations.
It is impossible to single out the most popular shade, because with a successful combination, they all look wonderful.
At least take a photo showing a bathroom in a beige tone.
If you choose the appropriate lighting and accessories in gold, you will get a stylish and harmonious design, looking at which you can only be surprised because it is made using plastic panels.
Among the variety of photos you can find an option with PVC panels for ceramic tiles. This solution allows you to create an imitation of tiles and, accordingly, make the interior visually more expensive.
Black and white colors create a stylish design that matches the tile finish. No less harmonious and simple can be finishing a toilet in pink, blue, light green or lilac tones. It is only important that the toilet room does not seem visually smaller, and dark, rich shades can contribute to this.
Features of combinations in toilet decoration
When choosing plastic sheathing for walls and ceilings, you don’t have to stop at it alone. Quite harmonious combinations can develop if the walls and ceiling are covered with PVC panels and ceramic tiles are laid on the floor. The tile will be able to withstand the load that is placed on it for many years.
The rack mounting system allows you to hide wires and pipes, and also allows you to significantly decorate the design. In this way, ceilings are decorated not only in small bathrooms, but also in large bathrooms. For small toilets, this fastening system plays an additional role, allowing you to visually increase the space.
Principles of panel installation
There is no particular difficulty in attaching the panels in the restroom. You just need to be patient and have a tool with which you can implement your plans. The list of tools is small:
- Electric drill;
- A hacksaw designed for woodworking;
- Hacksaw for metal work;
- A screwdriver, if you have a screwdriver, then this is the best option;
- Hammer;
- Office for carrying out measurements and designations;
- Ladder or stepladder.
The first thing you need to do is measure the work surface in the room and calculate how much plastic is needed. There are 2 options for attaching plates - gluing and rack type.
If the first option is chosen, then the walls must be completely cleared of the previous cladding. After purchasing plastic panels, you need to let them stand in the room so that they reach room temperature. You should not remove the film in advance, which protects the surface from damage and scratches. In order to mount it on the wall, carry out preparatory work. It is necessary to clean the surface and level it with plaster.
The second option is to mount it on a sheathing, which looks like bars or slats screwed to the wall at some distance. There are certain standards - for mounting on the ceiling, the distance between the slats is no more than 30 cm, and on walls - 30-40 cm. The slatted profiles must be mounted perpendicular to the intended direction of the panels.
For fastening to a wooden surface, it is better to use self-tapping screws, and for concrete or brick walls, dowel-nails are suitable.
Damaged panels cannot be repaired; they will only have to be thrown away. This must be taken into account when calculating the required quantity and take several spare pieces. Attaching to the sheathing involves punching through the panel, so any erroneous hole will cost a beautiful and consistent design.
First, the fittings are attached - these are the corner and finishing elements. Ceiling plinths are attached if you plan to install panels up to the ceiling. After this, the panel is inserted into the fastening element with the narrow side, and on the wide side it is attached to the rail.
After making sure that the piece of plastic is level, attach the next one. Maintain maximum fit. The final panel in the row is inserted between the last part and the adjacent fittings. If any part is excess, then it needs to be cut off with a knife.
Ceiling mounting differs from wall mounting in that you need to leave a distance of about 15 cm for spotlights. The holes for their output are marked and cut out in advance.
Practical use of plastic panels
In order for the restroom to be always clean and pleasing to the eye, it requires care. It must be carried out especially carefully on the surface of plastic panels, because they can crack.
After some time of operation, dirt can get between the fastenings of the plates, which over time will provoke the appearance of mold. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to regularly sanitize the surface with special disinfectants. Mild soap-based detergents are suitable. It is not advisable to use products that contain abrasive particles. They can scratch the surface of the panels and the original appearance will be lost.
Since Moscow is a rather expensive city, the use of PVC panels is very popular among its residents. But thanks to modern technologies, their quality and appearance have improved significantly. Therefore, saving money, you can make a stylish design both in the toilet and in the bathroom.
The decision to renovate the toilet and use PVC panels for cladding came spontaneously. Our restroom should have been repaired a long time ago, since the unclosed pipeline was already boring. After studying the range of facing materials, decorating with panels seemed like an interesting idea. We laid tiles on the toilet floor and the entire bathroom was transformed after the renovation.
Svetlana
I didn’t want to invest a lot of money in renovations, and I didn’t have any extra, so wall panels turned out to be an interesting idea. We ordered in Moscow and delivery came quickly. We chose imitation tiles in a beige and brown ratio. It turned out very beautiful, especially since all the pipes were hidden. The toilet floor was decorated with tiles, and the ceiling was also made of plastic.
The modern market of finishing materials offers many practical solutions for finishing bathrooms. Until recently, those who were planning to renovate their toilet had only two options - painting the walls or tiling them. Now you can choose from several available options, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages.
In today's article we would like to tell you about one of the easiest and most convenient ways to finish walls and ceilings in a bathroom - plastic panels. You will learn about the features of this finishing material, the basic principles of working with it, as well as how to choose the right plastic panels for the toilet.
pros
First, let's look at the positive aspects of using plastic panels as a finishing material for a bathroom. The list of advantages of these products is quite impressive:
- Low price. This method of surface finishing is one of the most cost-effective. It would be cheaper to paint with water-based emulsion.
- Easy to install. Plastic panels do not require special repair skills. Even those who have undertaken repairs for the first time can cope with their installation.
- Fast installation. Installation of one PVC panel takes just a few minutes. Since bathrooms usually have a very small area, all the work will take you very little time.
- No need for surface preparation. There is no need to level or plaster the walls for plastic panels.
- Low maintenance requirements. PVC is a waterproof material that perfectly withstands wet cleaning and contact with various detergents. Therefore, keeping the walls in the toilet clean will not be difficult.
- Wear resistance. Despite the fact that plastic is a fragile material, if you do not subject it to strong mechanical stress, PVC panels will last you quite a long time.
Minuses
However, plastic panels have not only positive aspects. This finishing material does not have many negative qualities, but they are still present, so one cannot remain silent about them. So, the disadvantages of PVC panels are:
- Instability to heat and fire. Plastic panels are deformed under the influence of high temperatures, so heaters and heated towel rails should not be placed close to them. In addition, plastic is not a fire-resistant material: it can catch fire if it comes into contact with fire. Therefore, you need to be careful when smoking in the toilet.
- Large dimensions. At first glance, it seems that the plastic panels are absolutely flat, but in fact they can be up to 2 cm thick. In addition, a few more centimeters of space are often “eaten up” if the walls in the room are uneven. For large bathrooms this is not critical, but in small toilets this can become a real problem, as it will not allow the tiny area to be used to the maximum.
Related article: Installing corrugation on the toilet
Types of panels
Plastic panels intended for finishing walls and ceilings in the bathroom come in several varieties.
Leafy
The most popular type is sheet panels, which are rectangles from one to one and a half meters long. The thickness of such panels is 0.3-0.6 cm. They can be plain, with ornaments or imitation of natural structures - wood or stone. It is most convenient to work with sheet panels due to their large dimensions.
Rack and pinion
Slatted panels for finishing bathrooms are used much less frequently. They are most often used for outdoor work or large premises. This type of plastic panels looks like long narrow strips. The length of such panels is from 4.4 to 3.7 meters, and the width is from 12 to 30 cm. Slat panels imitating wooden beams look especially impressive.
Stacked tiles
The least common type of plastic panels are type-setting tiles. They are squares of different sizes, which allows you to lay out various patterns on the walls and ceiling, like a mosaic. The elements are connected through grooves in the panels, and everything is held together with special glue or clamps.
- If you want to purchase a product with maximum strength, choose plastic panels with a thickness of at least 0.8 cm. In addition, pay attention to the number of “ribs” on the inside - they give additional rigidity.
- The quality of plastic panels can be determined by its appearance. Take a close look at the front of the product: the paint should be applied evenly, and the design, if there is one, should be clearly printed.
- As with wallpaper, the color of the same wall panels and different batches may vary by several shades. Therefore, buy products only from one batch.
The high cost of wall panels does not always indicate equally high quality, so price should not be the determining factor when choosing. However, material that costs significantly less than its counterparts from other manufacturers is usually not made in good faith.
Preparation and stages of repair
Before you begin finishing the toilet with plastic panels, you should carry out some preliminary work. By this stage of the repair, you already need to install a toilet, level the floor, lay it with ceramic tiles or cover it with linoleum.
Related article: Automatic gates with remote opening
Experts advise preparing plastic panels for installation and further use by treating them with an antiseptic. This will protect the material from heat and moisture, so there will be no risk of mold and mildew.
- Stage 1. Installation of the side posts, which will serve as the basis for the frame.
- Stage 2. Lathing the structure with slats and cross members.
- Stage 3. Attaching plastic fittings.
- Stage 4. Cutting and installing plastic panels.
Basic principles and installation
Let's consider each of the above stages of work in more detail.
- One rack should be placed in each corner of the room. At the same time, they should not be in contact with the floor and ceiling, so we place some material between the racks and surfaces. After the structure is fixed with screws, the temporary support will need to be removed. The side posts must be placed plumb so that they are strictly parallel. We maintain a step of 0.3-0.4 meters between fasteners (we use screws as fasteners).
- The sheathing of the side posts is done with wooden blocks along the perimeter of the structure at the top and bottom. The fasteners should be screwed in at an angle of 45 degrees - this way we can securely fix two slats at once. Next, the slats need to be secured to the walls using self-tapping screws. This is the main frame, which, if necessary, can be supplemented with side posts or cross bars. The step between frame elements should be about 0.5 meters.
- We nail the plastic fittings to the frame using nails and a hammer. The fittings need to be cut at an angle of 45 degrees - this way it will fit more tightly. Since PVC panels are quite flexible, we install fittings, including in the corners. If there is a gap between the slats and the wall, fill it with scraps of plastic, then hammer in a nail. Nails for installation should be selected with large flat heads. In order not to damage the plastic elements when driving nails, the final blows are performed not on the head, but on the protective attachment (for example, you can use a nail).
- The final stage, if the frame and fittings are installed correctly, takes very little time. We cut plastic panels using a hacksaw. At the same time, the size of each sheet should be a centimeter and a half less than the space prepared for it, since the missing length is compensated by plastic fittings. We insert the cut sheet into the grooves and attach it to the slats. We insert the next sheet into the previous one, then also nail it to the crossbars.
