The bathroom, along with the kitchen, is traditionally attributed to rooms with a "complex" microclimate. It maintains "chronic" humidity and high temperatures that not every material can withstand. Until the beginning of the last century, out of competition was the “queen” of decoration - ceramic tile. But over time, despite its ever-expanding assortment, the consumer wanted even more variety. At that moment, plastic came onto the scene - a modern, cheap, lightweight material. Over time, he beat all competitors in the decoration and became a universal design solution for both budget repairs and the design of luxury apartments. The design of the bathtub with PVC panels is a practical option. For finishing use three variations of the material:
PVC or polyvinyl chloride is used for the manufacture of an electrical insulating layer, records, furniture facades, clothing, windows, doors, utensils, wallpaper and decoration materials. His invention was an accident during one of the experiments of the French chemist at the beginning of the XIX century. At that time, unknown material did not attract proper attention and the research results were put on a shelf. They patented the invention of polyvinyl chloride only in 1913. Immediately after the start of production on an industrial scale, plastic began to actively "survive" natural analogues, which were inferior to it primarily in price. The most acute problem is the disposal of PVC, since under normal conditions it is incomplete combustion with the release of toxic and hazardous substances. A full cycle of destruction of polyvinyl chloride can be provided only at special enterprises. There is a legend about the incredible toxicity of the material itself, especially if it is used for decoration of residential premises. However, the myth was debunked after a series of trials.
The pros and cons of using plastic panels
PVC has a number of undeniable advantages: • Complete absence of fear of moisture. The material perfectly withstands the test of the microclimate of the bathroom. The thing is that in its structure there are no pores, as, for example, in natural wood. Accordingly, water has nowhere to seep. The following advantage follows from this advantage of PVC:
The lack of favorable conditions for the life of colonies of fungi and mold.
Durability. Plastic is able to survive more than a dozen years, if you take care of it properly.
Simple installation.Wall panels are attached to the surface in two ways, but even the average person can cope with the task.
Price. The low cost of the material leads to its widespread use in various fields of life, and PVC trim is not limited.
Ease of care. Plastic panels are regularly washed with soapy water. There will be no harm to material from systematic cleaning.
A rich assortment of colors and patterns.
Naturally, polyvinyl chloride, like any other material for facing, has its own disadvantages:
Sensitive to mechanical damage. Although PVC is considered a flexible material, a strong dent will result in a dent or panel rupture. Inside the plate have a hollow structure. Since the design is assembled on a modular basis, any of its individual elements can be replaced.
The release of toxins during combustion. We have already talked about this fact above. PVC is classified as fireproof material, that is, they can not ignite spontaneously. But, if a fire occurred in another place and spread to the bathroom, then it is strictly forbidden to breathe substances released during combustion.
Panels do not leak moisture. This advantage also conceals a disadvantage: the walls cease to “breathe”. Over time, this fact will negatively affect the insulation.
For many opponents of the use of plastic, hostility arises on the basis of associations with office premises, where repairs are most often done using material. In fact, its range is not limited to typical neutral brown panels. To make sure of this, just visit the nearest "construction" outlet.
How to choose
When choosing PVC for decorating a bathroom, they focus on three main aspects:
Sizes. They are selected in accordance with the future interior of the room and its dimensions;
Quality. The life of the material depends on this parameter;
Texture. Determined by the desired decorative effect.
Panels are classified into two types depending on location:
Ceiling
Wall mounted.
Moreover, in appearance they are divided into three types:
Seamless. Joints, of course, exist, but they are hardly noticeable and create the illusion of a continuous covering;
Embossed. They have clearly defined seams;
Combined options. Something between obvious joints and disguised ones.
The most important requirement when choosing polyvinyl chloride will still be its quality. Design features go by the wayside before the safety of home owners.
Style selection
Traditional for the bathroom is considered marine style. It most clearly reflects the functional purpose of the room. In wall decoration, a combination of white and blue is usually used. The texture of the panels can imitate sand, fine pebbles or water surface. High tech prefers imitation steel, while Provence prefers aged wood. In the design with more expensive decor, special panels are acquired that are assembled in the manner of mosaics. On their surface there is a drawing: dolphins, starfish, skates, jellyfish and other inhabitants of the depths. For a romantic atmosphere, panels with appropriate images are used: roses, irises, tulips, orchids. In the Japanese style, there are always pagodas and branches of blossoming sakura. For timeless classics, panels with a floral ornament and imitation of stucco molding along the perimeter are chosen. In minimalism, only monophonic options are allowed in calm shades: white, gray, blue. In small bathrooms it is better to use light, modern areas where designers choose functionality at the expense of complexity of decoration. In spacious rooms, you can experiment by dividing them into zones (bath, toilet, washbasin) using various texture finishes.
A variety of textures and colors
In texture, polyvinyl chloride can simulate almost any natural material. Most popular are:
Wood pattern;
Brickwork;
Marble or granite
The color scheme of PVC panels has no borders. The assortment presents a wide variety of shades, but for the bathroom they traditionally prefer:
Blue;
White;
Pink;
Beige.
In small rooms, due to monophonic panels with embossed seams (horizontal), the spatial frames are pushed apart. A similar reception (vertical) works in rooms with low ceilings.
Mounting Methods
Before you go to the store for finishing material, you must take measurements. Calculate the total surface area that will be decorated with plastic. Its width is multiplied by height. From the resulting number subtract the area of doorways and windows, if any, in the room. The latter for the rooms in Khrushchev are certainly rare, but in a private house the bathroom can even have several. It is also worth removing the bath area from the general value, if it is adjacent to the wall, and repair does not involve its dismantling. After the calculations are sent for the material. There are two ways to install PVC panels:
Glue (frameless)
Panels are attached directly to the wall.
Wireframe
A special crate is installed under the material.
In addition to a set of tools for work, you will additionally need:
Floor and ceiling skirting boards;
Corners.
These materials perform a decorative function, but without them the interior design will seem unfinished.
Necessary tools
The list of tools for decorating a bathroom with PVC panels includes:
Drill, hacksaw, screwdriver;
Construction level, tape measure, pencil, square;
Screws and dowels;
Construction glue, self-tapping screws or kleimers;
Wood bars or metal crate;
Joint sealant.
The list may be supplemented. The tool kit depends on how the panels are attached to the wall surface.
Wireframe method
This type of installation is not suitable for small rooms. The frame will inevitably “eat” valuable centimeters.Typically, this method is chosen for finishing the ceiling. As mentioned above, the material has a special structure (without pores), so it will not become a breeding ground for harmful organisms. But, if there are voids under the panels, then whole colonies of bacteria and mold can settle in them over time. In addition, in the presence of a frame, the risk of damage to the material increases significantly, it becomes more fragile, without having a solid surface. Of the obvious pluses, the ability of the crate to hide obvious wall defects is noted: it can mask their irregularities or curvature.
Finishing work is conditionally divided into several stages:
Marking and installation of the first rails. The future crate is constructed of wooden or metal bars. For the bathroom, it is better to choose the latter, since the tree is less durable and prone to decay. The main line is drawn horizontally around the entire perimeter of the room. Focusing on it, with the help of dowels, they attach the first rail. On the bottom of the floor in a similar way set the second. They will be repelled from in future work.
Fasteners for additional rails. The optimum distance between them is considered to be a distance of 50 cm. Before installing additional rails, check their "horizontal" level.
Fixing moldings. They are necessary to mask the joints in the corner area.
After the work on the frame is completed, they proceed with the installation of plastic panels. The process begins with the wall that is always in sight (distant). The material is attached to the crate with screws using a screwdriver. The panels are inserted into the corners (moldings) and screwed to the frame. On each side there are special grooves that allow you to connect them together. To ensure a better grip, they are lightly tapped with a hammer.
Glue cladding method
The glue method is devoid of all the shortcomings of the frame, however, it is associated with additional finishing work: putty and primer surface.The first is carried out only if necessary, it does not apply to the mandatory preparatory stages. If the walls have obvious bumps, dents or damage, then putty can not be dispensed with. Defects are smoothed, and the surface is leveled. After the putty dries, the wall is primed to ensure good adhesion to the adhesive. The panels are cut off before installation if necessary.
A layer of glue (so-called "liquid nails") is spotted on the wall surface. At the same time, they try not to cover the places where the panel seams will be located, since the substance can leak through them. As in the adhesive method, it is necessary to monitor how evenly the material lies on the surface. The process is completed by installing a framing profile.
How to cut panels correctly
For cutting PVC, hacksaws for wood or metal with small teeth are suitable. Using these tools, you can process several panels at once, which is convenient for a large amount of work. Do not press hard on the material, as it may crack or break. When cutting, the panels are held at an angle of about 45 degrees face up. An electric jigsaw is also suitable for use, but during the process it is necessary to carefully control the pressure force so as not to break the material. "Circulars" and "grinders" for cutting PVC are not suitable, since polyvinyl chloride is too fragile for such tools. In addition, with the rapid rotation of the disks, the material heats up, and, as you know, it begins to release toxins in parallel.
Conclusion
The main advantage of plastic panels is that their installation is easy to do with your own hands without the involvement of a team of specialists. All that is required from a novice finishing master is the smooth attachment of each module. For the bathroom, kitchen and corridor, PVC is considered the best option, which combines good functional characteristics and the ability to realize any design fantasies.Panels are used not only for walls, but also for ceilings. It looks especially luxurious when installing spotlights that emphasize surface features.
The bathroom, along with the kitchen, is traditionally attributed to rooms with a "complex" microclimate. It maintains "chronic" humidity and high temperatures that not every material can withstand. Until the beginning of the last century, out of competition was the “queen” of decoration - ceramic tile. But over time, despite its ever-expanding assortment, the consumer wanted even more variety. At that moment, plastic came onto the scene - a modern, cheap, lightweight material. Over time, he beat all competitors in the decoration and became a universal design solution for both budget repairs and the design of luxury apartments. The design of the bathtub with PVC panels is a practical option. For finishing use three variations of the material:
Let's talk in more detail about the panel design.
Content
About Material
PVC or polyvinyl chloride is used for the manufacture of an electrical insulating layer, records, furniture facades, clothing, windows, doors, utensils, wallpaper and decoration materials. His invention was an accident during one of the experiments of the French chemist at the beginning of the XIX century. At that time, unknown material did not attract proper attention and the research results were put on a shelf. They patented the invention of polyvinyl chloride only in 1913. Immediately after the start of production on an industrial scale, plastic began to actively "survive" natural analogues, which were inferior to it primarily in price. The most acute problem is the disposal of PVC, since under normal conditions it is incomplete combustion with the release of toxic and hazardous substances. A full cycle of destruction of polyvinyl chloride can be provided only at special enterprises. There is a legend about the incredible toxicity of the material itself, especially if it is used for decoration of residential premises. However, the myth was debunked after a series of trials.
The pros and cons of using plastic panels
PVC has a number of undeniable advantages:
• Complete absence of fear of moisture. The material perfectly withstands the test of the microclimate of the bathroom. The thing is that in its structure there are no pores, as, for example, in natural wood. Accordingly, water has nowhere to seep. The following advantage follows from this advantage of PVC:
Naturally, polyvinyl chloride, like any other material for facing, has its own disadvantages:
How to choose
When choosing PVC for decorating a bathroom, they focus on three main aspects:
Panels are classified into two types depending on location:
Moreover, in appearance they are divided into three types:
Style selection
Traditional for the bathroom is considered marine style. It most clearly reflects the functional purpose of the room. In wall decoration, a combination of white and blue is usually used. The texture of the panels can imitate sand, fine pebbles or water surface. High tech prefers imitation steel, while Provence prefers aged wood. In the design with more expensive decor, special panels are acquired that are assembled in the manner of mosaics. On their surface there is a drawing: dolphins, starfish, skates, jellyfish and other inhabitants of the depths. For a romantic atmosphere, panels with appropriate images are used: roses, irises, tulips, orchids. In the Japanese style, there are always pagodas and branches of blossoming sakura. For timeless classics, panels with a floral ornament and imitation of stucco molding along the perimeter are chosen. In minimalism, only monophonic options are allowed in calm shades: white, gray, blue. In small bathrooms it is better to use light, modern areas where designers choose functionality at the expense of complexity of decoration. In spacious rooms, you can experiment by dividing them into zones (bath, toilet, washbasin) using various texture finishes.
A variety of textures and colors
In texture, polyvinyl chloride can simulate almost any natural material. Most popular are:
The color scheme of PVC panels has no borders. The assortment presents a wide variety of shades, but for the bathroom they traditionally prefer:
In small rooms, due to monophonic panels with embossed seams (horizontal), the spatial frames are pushed apart. A similar reception (vertical) works in rooms with low ceilings.
Mounting Methods
Before you go to the store for finishing material, you must take measurements. Calculate the total surface area that will be decorated with plastic. Its width is multiplied by height. From the resulting number subtract the area of doorways and windows, if any, in the room. The latter for the rooms in Khrushchev are certainly rare, but in a private house the bathroom can even have several. It is also worth removing the bath area from the general value, if it is adjacent to the wall, and repair does not involve its dismantling. After the calculations are sent for the material. There are two ways to install PVC panels:
In addition to a set of tools for work, you will additionally need:
These materials perform a decorative function, but without them the interior design will seem unfinished.
Necessary tools
The list of tools for decorating a bathroom with PVC panels includes:
The list may be supplemented. The tool kit depends on how the panels are attached to the wall surface.
Wireframe method
This type of installation is not suitable for small rooms. The frame will inevitably “eat” valuable centimeters.Typically, this method is chosen for finishing the ceiling. As mentioned above, the material has a special structure (without pores), so it will not become a breeding ground for harmful organisms. But, if there are voids under the panels, then whole colonies of bacteria and mold can settle in them over time. In addition, in the presence of a frame, the risk of damage to the material increases significantly, it becomes more fragile, without having a solid surface. Of the obvious pluses, the ability of the crate to hide obvious wall defects is noted: it can mask their irregularities or curvature.
Finishing work is conditionally divided into several stages:
After the work on the frame is completed, they proceed with the installation of plastic panels. The process begins with the wall that is always in sight (distant). The material is attached to the crate with screws using a screwdriver. The panels are inserted into the corners (moldings) and screwed to the frame. On each side there are special grooves that allow you to connect them together. To ensure a better grip, they are lightly tapped with a hammer.
Glue cladding method
The glue method is devoid of all the shortcomings of the frame, however, it is associated with additional finishing work: putty and primer surface.The first is carried out only if necessary, it does not apply to the mandatory preparatory stages. If the walls have obvious bumps, dents or damage, then putty can not be dispensed with. Defects are smoothed, and the surface is leveled. After the putty dries, the wall is primed to ensure good adhesion to the adhesive. The panels are cut off before installation if necessary.
A layer of glue (so-called "liquid nails") is spotted on the wall surface. At the same time, they try not to cover the places where the panel seams will be located, since the substance can leak through them. As in the adhesive method, it is necessary to monitor how evenly the material lies on the surface. The process is completed by installing a framing profile.
How to cut panels correctly
For cutting PVC, hacksaws for wood or metal with small teeth are suitable. Using these tools, you can process several panels at once, which is convenient for a large amount of work. Do not press hard on the material, as it may crack or break. When cutting, the panels are held at an angle of about 45 degrees face up. An electric jigsaw is also suitable for use, but during the process it is necessary to carefully control the pressure force so as not to break the material. "Circulars" and "grinders" for cutting PVC are not suitable, since polyvinyl chloride is too fragile for such tools. In addition, with the rapid rotation of the disks, the material heats up, and, as you know, it begins to release toxins in parallel.
Conclusion
The main advantage of plastic panels is that their installation is easy to do with your own hands without the involvement of a team of specialists. All that is required from a novice finishing master is the smooth attachment of each module. For the bathroom, kitchen and corridor, PVC is considered the best option, which combines good functional characteristics and the ability to realize any design fantasies.Panels are used not only for walls, but also for ceilings. It looks especially luxurious when installing spotlights that emphasize surface features.