More Frequently Asked Questions About Wall Panels
We are constantly being asked lots of questions about our products, their applications and installation. So as well as our FAQ page we have gathered up some the other questions that pop up from time to time.
What is the most suitable adhesive for sticking wall panels to existing ceramic tiles?
The most critical process when fitting panels over existing tiles is to ensure the tiles are clean, dry and free of any soap residue. Our adhesive, together with most off-the-shelf adhesives such as Gripfill and No-More-Nails will be suitable for our PVC panels. Although many adhesives state that one of the surfaces needs to be porous it can still be used on our wall panels for sticking them to tiles. If you need a really good bond what you can do is apply blobs of adhesive to the back of the panel and then and fit it in place; then remove the panelling straight away leaving adhesive on both the wall and the panel. Leave this go tacky, then re-fit the panel and you will have instant “grab”. In general the adhesion isn’t a major issue as there is very little force acting on the panel that would cause it to fall off the wall – coupled with the fact that each panel holds the next panel in place. Also, the grout used between the old tiles gives the adhesive something to bond to. If you are still a bit worried you can always use silicone sealant as this acts as a very good
adhesive and will stick to anything.
How would I be able to change/replace the cladding in the future, if it is stuck to my existing tiles?
Panelling, like ceramic tiling, is designed to stay up for years. Removing it will certainly damage the panelling, probably damage the underlying tiles and might cause some disruption to the wall itself – it depends on the construction and how well everything was installed. Panelling can be stuck to the bathroom tiles using silicone sealant rather than panel adhesive which will make the panels easier to remove.
It is possible to replace panels in-situ?
Usually, but there can be some problems – contact our sales office for details.
What needs to be done to ensure shower walls remain waterproof when the shower fixings are fitted through holes in the panels, or when fittings are screwed onto the shower walls after the panels have been fitted?
Any holes that need to be made through the panels should be sealed with a good quality silicone sealant, in exactly the same way that you would for ceramic wall tiles. Obviously the smaller the holes you make the better, so items that require larger holes, like shower valves, it is worth seeing if they can be fitted on top of the panels rather than the panels being cut around them but this will depend on the shower valve design and the design of the pipework supplying it.
When fixing any item through panelling you should use spacers to ensure the panels don’t get crushed?
see our installation section for more details.
Can the panels be fitted behind a radiator?
Yes they can. The only stipulation from the manufacturers is that the surface of the wall panel does not exceed 60 deg C.
In practice we have had no reports whatsoever of any problems associated with type of installation (and we have over 20 experience of selling and installing this type of panelling).
Can the panels be used in a shower in a motor home?
Yes our wall panels can be used in this situation, but you must ensure that the panels are sealed effectively against the shower tray in case there is any movement. We would usually recommend that the panels are stuck using silicone rather than standard adhesive as it can cope with a degree of flexing.
What do I use to cut the panels?
Our panelling is best cut with a hand saw – the finer the teeth, the neater the cut you will achieve. A tenon saw is ideal although you can also use a jigsaw but you must ensure that the blade doesn’t chip the panels. Although PVC is quite soft, it will become more brittle if it is kept cold. Make sure the panels are at room temperature to avoid chipping.
Can the panels be fitted in a steam room?
The panels can cope with a steamy environment with no problem – however there is a problem in steam enclosures with the temperature, especially around the outlets, so the manufacturers do not recommend their use in these devices.