Materials with high-gloss surfaces such as PLEXIGLAS® Hi-Gloss are an elegant alternative to tiled backsplashes.
© Röhm GmbH – Acrylic Products
You can easily install a shower back wall made from PLEXIGLAS® yourself – even over a tiled splashback. You can find instructions for a removable fastening here.
If those tiles have become outdated and your bathroom could do with a refresh, you don't have to spend all that time and effort trying to remove the tiles from the wall. With PLEXIGLAS® wall cladding, you can renovate your bathroom without creating dust and noise, with stunning results in your desired color. With large surface areas instead of tile grids, and high-gloss, easy-to-maintain surfaces instead of stained joints which are difficult to keep clean.
PLEXIGLAS® is easy to clean and can withstanding the high humidity and constant temperature changes in the bathroom. Before cutting, it is important to bear in mind the clearance needed to allow PLEXIGLAS® to expand in heat and humidity, as explained below.
A shower back wall made from PLEXIGLAS® is a great starting point for a seamless bathroom with large homogeneous surfaces. Using the appropriate tools and materials described here, even DIY amateurs can cut and mount their own shower back wall. PLEXIGLAS® is easy to work with and is very lightweight compared with glass.
Tip:
Order samples of your choice from the PLEXIGLAS® online shop before you embark on your project.
All types of PLEXIGLAS® sheets can be used for wall cladding. The brand acrylic glass from Röhm is available in a wide variety of colors. PLEXIGLAS® Hi-Gloss, PLEXIGLAS® Optical HC and PLEXIGLAS® Optical HCM are particularly popular for wall cladding in the bathroom.
Find the right sheet size
PLEXIGLAS® is available in sheet sizes of up to 2x3 meters. When calculating the sheet size for the shower back wall, don't forget to bear in mind the clearance needed to allow the PLEXIGLAS® to expand due to heat and humidity. This is at least 3 mm per meter of length and width on all sides indoors.
We'll now explain how a removable fastening works using the lock-and-key principle. The brackets on the wall and the brackets on the PLEXIGLAS® sheet fit into each other. The advantage is that the sheet can expand further and the PLEXIGLAS® shower back wall can also be removed easily if needed.
1
Check the surface condition
The surface must be clean, dry, flat, free of dust and grease, firm, and stable. No parts may protrude from the wall. Smooth out bumps as necessary. If you want to mount PLEXIGLAS® sheets on a tiled backsplash, remove loose tiles and fill open gaps with tile pieces and adhesive.
2
Allow for clearance
The wall and panel brackets should be at least 6 mm thick to allow for ventilation space between the PLEXIGLAS® sheet and the wall and to prevent mold from building up.
Moisture-resistant wood, plastic, or metal are all material suitable for wall and sheet brackets. Use a circular saw or jigsaw to bevel one edge at a 45° angle. For sawing materials such as wood, we recommend applying a clear or colored coat for better adhesion of the foam tape.
3
Mount the wall brackets (lock)
Depending on the type of wall surface, glue or screw the prepared wall brackets horizontally to the wall. Note: For large surfaces, screwing is recommended.
4
Draw the holes for water connections
Mark the exact position of the holes for the water connections the right place on the PLEXIGLAS® sheet. Important: To allow for an expansion clearance on the PLEXIGLAS®, the hole must be at least 5 mm in diameter larger than the water connection.
5
Drill the holes
Now drill the holes for the water connections. Use a hole saw suitable for acrylic glass to drill the PLEXIGLAS®. Select a slow speed and cool the bore continuously with water from a spray bottle. Then deburr the hole with a file or scraper.
You can find tips for drilling PLEXIGLAS® here.
6
Attach the counter-bearing
Glue the counter-bearing onto the PLEXIGLAS® sheet near the water connection, so the valves can be screwed in securely at a later stage. The counter-bearings should be as thick as the wall brackets.
7
Attach the sheet brackets (key)
Apply double-sided foam tape to the sheet brackets on one side. Do not remove the protective film on the outside of the tape. Then insert the prepared sheet brackets loosely into the pre-assembled wall brackets.
8
Attach the profiles
Cut the U-end profiles and the corner profile to the sheet size. Then attach the profiles to the PLEXIGLAS® sheets. The corner profile should be attached to the PLEXIGLAS® sheet, which is first mounted to the wall.
The profile is positioned flush on one edge and lightly tapped along the entire length of the PLEXIGLAS® sheet edge. If the edges of the profile fit well and do not protrude, tap it firmly to the bottom.
9
Remove the protective film from the adhesive tape
Now remove the protective film from the foam tape on the sheet brackets (the key).
10
Place spacers
Place 3 mm-thick spacers along the edge of the shower tray.
11
Mount the first PLEXIGLAS® sheet
Now you can remove the protective film from the PLEXIGLAS® sheets. Start mounting the PLEXIGLAS® sheets for the shower back wall with the holes for the water connections.
Place the front edge of the sheet at an angle on the spacers and initially hold the sheet at a slight angle from the wall. Then, firmly push the sheet up with your hand, so that it sticks to the adhesive strips of the sheet bracket. As soon as the PLEXIGLAS® sheet adheres to the wall, use a soft rubber roller to roll vigorously over the mounting points.
12
Mount the second PLEXIGLAS® sheet
Now, place the second PLEXIGLAS® sheet on the spacers and press onto the adhesive tape of the sheet brackets from the bottom toward the top. Insert this PLEXIGLAS® sheet into the corner profile of the first sheet. As soon as the PLEXIGLAS® sheet adheres to the wall, use a soft rubber roller to roll vigorously over the mounting points.
13
Remove the spacers
Check that the PLEXIGLAS® sheets are firmly attached to the shower back wall before removing the spacers.
14
Apply the silicone sealant
Seal the gap between the shower tray and aluminum profile with a neutral-crossed linked silicone sealant and allow to dry for a while.
This depends on the type of installation. The PLEXIGLAS® sheet can be easily removed if you used a removable fastening. With a fixed fastening, the PLEXIGLAS® may be damaged if the shower back wall is dismantled.
The adhesive will hold if the surface is roughened beforehand and a suitable adhesive tape and the correct silicone for the joints are used. Please refer to the manufacturer's instructions.
PLEXIGLAS® is not water-permeable. If the joints and gaps are carefully sealed, moisture cannot form behind the sheet.
If a water pipe bursts behind the PLEXIGLAS® sheet, you need to remove the sheet. That is why we advise mounting your PLEXIGLAS® shower back wall with a removable fastening.
PLEXIGLAS® is easy to clean and maintain. Lukewarm water with a splash of detergent on a soft, lint-free cloth or a viscose sponge is usually all you need. In case of heavy build-up, you can also use vinegar essence diluted with water.
General guidance: To remove tougher and especially greasy stains, a strong plastic cleaning agent or benzene-free petroleum ether (light petroleum) may be used. However, cleaning agents should not contain benzene, ethanol, and other alcohols, organic materials, or thinners, as these can damage the surface.
You will find more details about cleaning, disinfecting, and maintaining PLEXIGLAS® here.
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