How to decorate a bathroom with plastic panels: recommendations and tips

Bathroom is a room where there is always high humidity of air masses. It does not depend on how the ventilating ways are arranged in it. If earlier it was possible to meet in the design of this room only ceramic tiles, now it is quite often used for plastic works. If only recently, how to decorate the bathroom with plastic panels knew only professionals, but now everyone can do it. There would be a desire.

Varieties of plastic panels

So, we decided that we lined the bathroom with plastic panels. At once there is a problem of a choice, after all such material in the market a considerable enough quantity. Plastic is different not only in quality of its manufacture, but also in structure, as well as in external design.

Plastic panels can be:

• In the form of strips;
• In the form of sheets.

These two species are attached similarly.

Types of surfaces of plastic panels

At the moment, such material as plastic panels, there are several options for surface design:

• Smooth;
• Rough;
• Matt;
• Glossy;
• Structural.

Council. Professionals do not recommend the use of glossy plastic panels in the finish of the bathroom , as they will eventually become visible from the water.

The properties of plastic do not change when the surface is changed.

What are plastic panels made of?

This material has excellent technical characteristics due to the raw materials from which it is made. The composition of plastic includes polyvinylchloride, coloring agents, binders and other additives that improve the quality of the material.

Technical characteristics of plastic panels

The bathroom, lined with plastic panels (photos, presented in the article, this is confirmed), has a rather unusual design. Previously, plastic was used only for the lining of the ceiling surface in this room. Now the panels are often fastened to the walls.

So, plastic has a number of advantages over other finishing materials. Is he:

• Moisture resistant;
• practical;
• Easy to install;
• Durable;
• Fireproof;
• Frost-resistant;
• Wear-resistant;
• Relatively durable.

It is also worth noting that the plastic, with proper installation, has a high seal index. Under its surface, moisture will not accumulate.

Plastic panels do not allow moisture. All this is ensured by their dense structure, which has no pores. Due to this, water, getting to the surface of the material, does not disturb the appearance of the finish.

Before you panel the bathroom, it is worth considering that the material is quite practical. It does not require special care. It's enough just to wipe the surface with a damp rag. You can even use cleaning agents and detergents of different structures.

Council. This does not apply to plastic panels with a glossy surface. Do not use abrasive cleaners on it, which can leave scratches.

Fire resistance of plastic panels is ensured by the incombustibility of raw materials used for their manufacture. Under the influence of a direct source of fire, plastic can only melt, while no harmful substances are released into the atmosphere.

Frost resistance is manifested in the fact that this material can be used not only for interior finishing works, but also for exterior. It perfectly tolerates any temperature fluctuations.

In addition to all this, plastic panels are durable and do not change their appearance for a long period of time. The average life of plastic at the moment is at least 15 years.

On what surfaces can I install plastic panels?

The technique of how to panel the PVC bathroom, based on the surface on which the finishing work will be done . It can be:

• wall;
• ceiling.

The principle of mounting the material does not change in either case. Simply, there are additional preparatory works, which on these surfaces are slightly different.

Stages of installation

Before you decorate the bathroom with plastic panels, you need to know some of the nuances of the work that will help make the finish quality and durable.

There are several stages of work:

• Surface preparation;
• Assembly of the frame;
• Fastening of strips;
• Surface finishing with decorative elements.

Surface preparation process

Some are convinced that, before you finish the bathroom with plastic panels, you do not need to carry out preparatory work on the surface. This is not true. Initially, it is best to remove the old finish from it. Especially if it is plaster, which will eventually become discolored and crumbled. Also, tile is tiled, which can chip (in case of its fall on the inner surface of the plastic defects are formed on the panels).

Then the surface is treated with special antifungal and antiseptic agents that will help protect it from mold formation.

Council. It is especially important to perform such actions in the bathroom, because it always has high humidity.

The process of mounting the frame

According to the established rules of SNIP, all plastic panels are attached to a prefabricated frame. It can be made of wood or metal.

Council. The choice of material for the frame must be based on the technical characteristics of the premises. If it is wet, then it is better to use metal profiles.

Although, if you make a wooden frame and cover it immediately with varnish or paint, then it will serve no less effectively than the metal one.

For the construction of a frame made of wood, you will need:

• Planks and boards of the same thickness;
• Self-tapping screws and dowels;
• Screwdriver and punch;
• Electric jigsaw or saw;
• A building level or a plumb line.

The cells of such a frame must be small. Their standard size is 30-60 cm. Only in this way will it be possible to secure the plastic panels securely on its surface.

Council. Before you trim the bathroom with plastic panels and build a special frame for this, you need to explore ways to bond the strips between each other. And to orient in the creation of cells on them. This will make it possible to fix the material in the center of the frame element (on the board).

Installation

The person who first decided to make repairs on their own, the question arises as to how to trim the bathroom with plastic panels. If already all the preparatory work is done, then, in principle, all the difficulties are already behind us. The most important thing is to securely fix the first strip of material, which will set the direction for subsequent installation.

In order to fasten the panel smoothly, you need to use the level. The material is exposed in a plane and fastened to the frame by a construction stapler. You can use self-tapping screws for this, but they are quite large, so there is a risk that the next panel will not go into the groove.

Next, the recruitment on the surface of the strips of plastic. They have a lock "thorn-in-the-groove". You need to insert them before a certain click. Especially if the plastic is seamless. Each third or fourth strip is fixed with a stapler.

Important. Cut the material to the desired size best by the bulgarian, which will leave a smooth cut.

Installation of decorative elements on the surface of plastic

As soon as the work on the installation of plastic panels will be completed, you need to proceed to the design of the joints of the ceiling and wall surface, as well as to fix the floor skirting. If the latter will not have any problems, then with the finish of joints, there may be some nuances.

In order not to have problems, it is worth remembering the following: to make the installation of a ceiling skirting or decorative corner is necessary only with the help of a sealant or building glue. Other ways to fix on the surface of the plastic finish will not work.