Remodeling a bathroom or shower room can be one of the most exciting home renovation projects, but it can also be expensive and time-consuming. However, the wide availability of materials on the market leaves room for experimentation. And, if you’ve already fallen in love with the beauty and sturdiness of luxury vinyl planks, you might be wondering whether you can use them on bathroom or shower walls.
You can use vinyl planks on bathroom walls and shower walls, as they’re waterproof, scratch-resistant, and long-lasting. WPC and SPC vinyl planks boast a highly dense waterproof layer and an incorporated cork underlay that protects them from water, mildew, and mold damage, perfect for bathrooms.
Vinyl planks have a reputation for being highly versatile and suitable for most rooms around the house. Learn all about going vertical and using these planks to create a durable and stylish wall in your bathroom or shower.
Can You Use Vinyl Planks on Bathroom Walls/Should You?
Vinyl planks — or luxury vinyl planks (LVP) — are a beautiful alternative to hardwood or tiles. Thanks to the multi-layered composition of these planks, they’re resistant to mold, mildew, warping, and water damage.
When installed on your floor, they can withstand years of footfall, debris, and stain without noticeable signs of wear and tear. And, best of all, they’re easy to install with just basic DIY skills and materials!
If you already have these tiles installed in the flooring of your home, you might be wondering whether you can safely use them on the walls of your bathroom. And, the answer is yes, you can — and you should!
Since these planks are highly resistant to moisture and entirely waterproof, they make perfect alternatives to more expensive ceramic tiles.
When selecting the right vinyl planks for your bathroom walls, learn about their composition because not all tiles will serve you in the same way. Firstly, it’s always best to go with luxury vinyl planks (LVP), which are semi-rigid and much thicker than most vinyl products.
Additionally, it’s important to understand the difference between WPC and SPC vinyl planks:
- Wood-plastic composite (WPC): Often referred to as waterproof core vinyl because of its internal waterproof layer, this component doesn’t absorb any liquid. This feature protects the entire plank from water, moisture, mold, and mildew.
- Stone plastic composite (SPC): SPC planks are also waterproof, thanks to their composition, but this layer tends to be much denser and more resistant than the WPC one because of its limestone composition. Since SPC planks are also resistant to scratching and dents, they’re more suitable for commercial applications.
Installing these planks on your bathroom wall is easy, as long as you have an even and intact surface to stick them on.
And, once you’ve installed the planks on the walls, consider caulking. Caulking is the process of applying a sealant over the tiles to seal any gap between them on the wall’s perimeter. Without sealant, the gaps between the tiles can expand, disrupting your tile work.
Can You Use Vinyl Planks on Shower Walls/Should You?
Using vinyl planks on shower walls is an excellent alternative, and it’s certainly worth considering. As we’ve seen above, VLPs are entirely waterproof, easy to install, and can withstand constant wear and tear.
Vinyl planks might even be a better alternative than ceramic tiles, which have been the material of choice for bathroom renovations for decades. While these tiles might last for years, they’re not DIY-friendly, are extremely costly, and are made weaker by the grout.
The grout isn’t as waterproof as the ceramic tiles are and boast a porous composition, which means that it can quickly become moldy or stained within months of use. And, what’s even worse is that it can let moisture through, affecting the substrate behind the tiles.
Oppositely, when caulked, VLP creates an entirely waterproof panel that won’t let water through. And, even if in a few years you decide to replace your inexpensive vinyl planks, you can do so quickly and with the peace of mind that the wall behind them is still intact!
It’s worth noticing that vinyl planks – as well as vinyl sheets – aren’t suitable for hot environments such as saunas or Turkish baths, as the high heat can affect the plank’s adhesive.
How To Install Vinyl Planks on Bathroom Walls
Installing vinyl planks on a bathroom wall is no different from installing them on your floor. All you will have to do is ensure that the wall behind the planks is clean, even, and without imperfections.
Or, keep reading for more in-depth steps.
Tools and Materials
- Cleaning materials
- Vinyl planks
- Adhesive
- Cutting materials such as utility knife
- Pencil and brush
- Sealant and trowel
Installing Vinyl Planks on the Bathroom Walls
Step 1: Remove any old wallpaper or wall covering. Or you can install the vinyl planks directly over ceramic tiles, assuming these are clean and even. If there are any nails or screws, you need to remove them, as they create gaps and lumps on the planks.
Step 2: Size up the room and pick your tiles. It’s always best to invest in more planks than you think you’ll need. Remember that you can quickly bring unopened boxes back to the store.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on May 17, 2021.
Step 3: Start positioning the tiles on the walls without sticking them down. With a pencil, trace their perimeter on the wall. This technique helps you work with a grid to follow, rather than randomly sticking the tiles on the wall.
Step 4: Apply the adhesive to one of the squares on the wall and remove the plastic film from the tile. The double bond isn’t 100% necessary but can help you secure the planks on the wall in a humid environment. You need to complete this step quickly because the adhesive will dry in a matter of seconds.
Step 5: When installing the tiles, opt for a more natural brick pattern rather than stocking the planks one on top of the other. Use the utility knife to cut around wall moldings and create the desired design.
Step 6: Apply a layer of sealant to seal gaps and prevent water damage.
How To Install Vinyl Planks on Shower Walls
Installing vinyl planks on shower walls is an excellent idea to protect the wall behind it and renovate the shower on a budget. When installing this type of wall covering a shower, ensure that the walls are clean, even, and thoroughly dry.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on May 17, 2021.
Here’s all you need to know about installing vinyl planks on your shower wall:
Tools and Materials
- Cleaning tools
- Level
- Mallet
- Sandpaper
- Vinyl planks
- Adhesive
- Sealant
- Trowel
- Measuring tape
- Utility knife
Installing Vinyl Planks on the Shower Walls
Step 1: Start by measuring up the shower and buying the right vinyl planks for your project. Find out whether the planks need acclimatization to the bathroom’s humid environment before application.
Step 2: Clean the surface with a good cleaning product and remove as much mold, debris, and dust as possible. Once you’re satisfied, allow the whole shower area to dry for at least 24 hours. Since the plank’s underlay is usually cork, this can absorb moisture before the waterproof layer stops it and warps. You can prevent this by applying the planks on a dry surface.
Step 3: Lay the tiles on the shower wall and trace their perimeter with a pencil. Then, remove the tiles and start applying the liquid adhesive to the first square. At the same time, remove the adhesive film from the plank and stick it into place.
Step 4: Continue with the application until the whole shower room is covered. Follow a brick-like pattern to avoid a monotonous design and use the utility knife to cut the planks into shape.
Step 5: Complete the application by caulking the vinyl planks.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on May 17, 2021.