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- Project Guide: Installing New Shower Walls with Glue
Installing new shower walls with adhesive is a project most homeowners who are handy with tools can do themselves. Shower walls may be molded into a U-shape as a single unit, which is most often used with new construction, or consist of separate interlocking panels that install in a sequence to form a watertight seal, used in remodels. This project assumes your old shower has been removed and you’re renovating your shower alcove with interlocking panels. It also assumes the floor has been prepared and the shower base has been installed. As you work on your project, be sure to follow any manufacturer instructions that come with your shower wall kit.
| Before You Begin | |
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Only Available at Your Local Store:
· Waterproof drywall
· Denatured alcohol
Follow These Steps
Step One
| Clean & Prepare the Walls |
| 1. | Clean the wall surfaces with denatured alcohol to ensure a good bond for the enclosure panels. |
| 2. | Prime or water-seal any raw plaster, wallboard or spackle in the area where the enclosure panels will be installed. |
Step Two
| Create Template for Plumbing Wall |
| Note: When measuring, always measure twice for accuracy. |
| 1. | Use a straightedge to draw a vertical line up along the wall from the corner of the shower base to an inch below the ceiling. |
| 2. | Measure the center of the showerhead pipe and faucet valve stems from the top of the mounting surface along the vertical line. |
| 3. | Transfer these measurements to the shower wall cardboard carton, which will serve as a template. |
| 4. | Cut holes in the cardboard large enough to accommodate the fixture fittings. |
| 5. | Check the fit of your template on the plumbing wall. |
| 6. | Mark again and adjust if necessary. |
Step Three
| Cut Panel Openings |
| 1. | Place cardboard on the floor and lay the shower wall with the surface that will be exposed face down on top of the cardboard. |
| 2. | Lay the template over the back of the shower panel. |
| 3. | Use the template to mark the holes on the panel. |
| 4. | Place a piece of scrap wood beneath each marking for a hole on the panel to get a cleaner edge when drilling the hole. Use a carbide hole saw to drill holes through the back side of the panel. Be sure to make the holes smaller than the decorative trim that will cover them. |
| 5. | Test-fit the panel against the wall and check accuracy by lining up the edge with the marked vertical line. |
| 6. | After test-fitting the wall, set it aside until Step Six where you will permanently install it. |
Step Four
| Install Corner Panels |
| Note: Proper application differs by adhesive type. Always apply the recommended adhesive per the manufacturer’s instructions. |
| 1. | Test-fit a corner panel. |
| 2. | Remove the corner panel and lay it on the floor with the surface that goes next to the wall facing up. |
| 3. | Use a caulking gun to apply adhesive to each corner of the panel. |
| 4. | Carefully position and apply the corner panel to the wall. Let the adhesive set. |
| 5. | Apply pressure with your hands to make sure all areas of the panel are in contact with the wall. Let the adhesive set. |
| 6. | Remove any excess adhesive. |
| 7. | Repeat for the remaining corner panel. |
Step Five
| Apply Adhesive to Walls |
| 1. | Test-fit the back and side wall panels and note where the top is. Make a mark 1” down from the top on the wall. |
| 2. | Place a bead of adhesive along the line on the wall. |
| 3. | Place adhesive in 1-½” diameter dots at 12” intervals on the wall, 3” from the side edges of the panel. |
| 4. | After test-fitting the walls, set them aside until you install them in Step Six. |
Step Six
| Install Remaining Panels |
| 1. | Use a carpenter’s level to line up the top of each panel and ensure they’re level. |
| 2. | Carefully position and apply the panel to the wall. Let the adhesive set. |
| 3. | Apply pressure with your hands to make sure all areas of the panel are in contact with the wall. Let the adhesive set. |
| 4. | Remove any excess adhesive. |
| 5. | Apply any trim and silicone sealant at the connecting joints and around the edges of the installation, as needed. |
| 6. | Allow the adhesive to dry for 24 hours then install the plumbing fixtures and shower arm. |
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