I'm looking to change up my shower by replacing the old tiles with acrylic wall panels. The existing tiles are these thin plastic ones stuck to the drywall, and they're coming off. Since the house dates back to the late 70s, I figured instead of reattaching those tiles, I might just strip them off and put the acrylic panels directly on the drywall. However, I'm worried about how well the new panels will adhere, given the old putty that's there. Is it common or acceptable to use screws to secure the panels? I think I've seen that done in some Airbnbs, but I'm curious if there's a better way to go about this.
3 Answers
Once you take the old tiles off, try using a product like Red Gard on your wall board, assuming it's cement board, before applying the acrylic panels with construction adhesive. That way, everything’s properly sealed and secured. Good luck with your project!
I'm not too familiar with the process, but I know acrylic can handle a good amount of stress. One important tip is to keep the drill clutch low; if it's too high, you risk cracking the acrylic. Also, I’d recommend putting a silicone sealant around each screw hole to prevent any water leaks. Better safe than sorry!
Just to clarify, when you say drywall, do you actually mean cement board? If that's the case, you should check what the acrylic panels suggest for installation. Personally, I wouldn’t start drilling holes into the wall, especially since it’s in a wet area. Investing a bit more time into the prep work might save you hassle later. Replacing the backboard might be the easiest route, but that's just my two cents.
Yeah, I have cement boards behind my panels, and it made a difference. Just make sure everything is sealed properly.