acrylic shower panels

[thomp1983]

hi, hopefully this question fits in here. does anyone have any experience of using acrylic shower panels from companies such as mermaid and aquapanel?

our new shower enclosure will be 1900mmx1400mm, ive read that the full 1200mm wide panels can't be joined together and id have to use 600mm wide panels as they are designed to click together similar to tongue and groove whereas the 1200mm wide panels are square cut edges that don't join, is this correct?

secondly can i fix the panels straight to unfinished plasterboard? we can't really be without a shower for several days while waiting for plaster to dry.

thanks
chris

 

[ban-all-sheds]

The manufacturers are the best people to ask about substrates.

You say acrylic, which is good. Read this before considering other types:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/...-shower-lining-panels-are-not-waterproof.html

 

[Tigercubrider]

Maybe too expensive, but have you considered glass?


http://www.opticolour.co.uk/bathroo...red_glass_splashbacks_or_walls_installed.html

 

[Diver Fred]

Have you looked at Bushboard Nuance?

http://www.bushboard.co.uk/downloads/nuance_design_guide.pdf

 

[Doggit]

The MDF backed panels will swell if they aren't sealed properly, and if the seals often fail, then you're b******d.

Look for either ply backed panels, or completely acrylic ones - they're thinner, and some can fade in direct sunlight, but they're a lot more robust.

You need to let the plaster dry for at least a couple of days, otherwise the adhesive won't stick. You could rig up a shower curtain against the plaster, and duct tape it to the wall, making sure that it drops into the shower tray; that'll give you enough time to sort things out.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

There's at least one manufacturer who makes the same finishes in a range of types, so if it helps you can mix'n'match - e.g. wall panels in some places, and "formica" type laminate which can be stuck directly onto tiles, if you have any already.

 

[thomp1983]

We ended up going with selkie board in the end, due to lead time in getting the panels the plaster had a week to dry and we just showered at a neighbour's