If you’re curious about using laminate flooring for more than just your floors, like your shower walls, you might actually be able to. And if you’re not sure, then this article will be able to help you.
Installing Laminate flooring on shower walls can be done. You’d need to install the correct laminate flooring type, which should have a moisture-resistant core that prevents water from seeping inside.
Reusing your old Laminate flooring or leftover on your shower walls can be a fun project. In this article, we’ll explore all the pros and cons of using laminate flooring for shower walls so that you can make an informed decision. However, if you decide to do so, we’ll also show you how to install laminate flooring on shower walls easily.
Can You Use Laminate Flooring for Shower Walls?
Installing laminate flooring in your bathroom can be more than just an attractive alternative for the shower walls. Some laminate flooring types have a moisture-resistant core, which allows them to ward off water and prevent it from seeping inside. And these can be an excellent choice for your shower walls.
Is There Any Disadvantage to Using laminate Flooring For Shower Walls?
Unfortunately, there are some disadvantages to using laminate panels for shower walls.
- A special kind of laminate panel is required if you want to ensure that water does not make its way from between the planks. Waterproof laminate prevents water from seeping from the small gap between the boards. However, if you’re going to try regular flooring planks, you might end up with mold due to water buildup, or your laminate flooring might cause dampness. And all of this leads to warp/bend or peel.
- Unlike stone slabs and hardwood, you cannot refinish your laminate floorboards. This has been deemed one of the most undesirable features of this flooring on shower walls because it costs significantly more. If a portion of your laminate shower walls is damaged, you must replace it.
- There are various kinds of laminate flooring, some of which can be slippery. Thus, they are made resistant to slipping, which creates static electricity. As a result, you must ensure that your shower walls are clean.
How to Use Laminate Flooring for Shower Walls?
If you want to have an easy installation on the shower walls, then you need to ensure that a moisture-resistant backing is installed. This could also be a cement board or drywall that is specifically designed to protect you against moisture and mold. Once this is done, you can proceed with the customization of your laminate sheets. Feel free to use a variety of patterns, textures, designs, and colors, but only after installing a barrier resistant to moisture.
How to Install Laminate Flooring on Shower Walls?
If you’ve decided to install laminate flooring on your shower walls, then our guide will take you through the entire process step-by-step, so you’ll know exactly what to do.
Step One: Ensure that the water is shut off.
Before you can proceed with the installation process, there are various things that you need to take care of. The first is to ensure that the flow of water is wholly cut off. If you don’t have access to the shower valve, then go ahead and turn off the main water valve. It’s likely to be located outside your house.
Step Two: Remove trim, fixtures, and shelves
Removing any superficial fixtures and shelves, as well as knobs, is your next step. Feel free to pry off any moldings or trim with the help of a pry bar.
Step Three: Measure the wall with fixtures
The next thing you need to do is to take a tape measure and write down the wall measurements with fixtures. Once you have the accurate numbers, subtract 1/8 inches of height and width. Then, take a wood cutting blade with 60 teeth and a table saw to make neat cuts.
Step Four: Trim the cement board
For this step, you will also need safety glasses, a respirator or mask, and hearing protection. Once the safety gear is on, you can trim the cement board to the desired dimension. Remember to subtract 1/8 inches from the height and width of the wall so that the cement board does not bind during the installation process.
Step Five: Make fixture holes.
Use your tape measure again to take accurate measurements for the required fixtures. Take a hole saw of the appropriate size and then drill in the cement board to make holes for the fixtures.
Step Six: Place the cement board
Next, you need to apply laminate glue to the cement board. Press it in the desired position and fit it right over the fixtures. Make sure to measure the adjacent wall and subtract the same number from the height and length. Then, trim, apply adhesive, and put the panels on this wall as well. Repeat the same process on the rest of the walls, and you are good to go.
Step Seven: Trim laminate sheets
Install a TCG cutting blade of 80 teeth on your table saw. Cut out the first sheet of laminate for the wall that has faucets. Then, trim the rest of the sheets after subtracting 1/8 inches from the width to ensure they don’t bind at the installation time.
Step Eight: Make fixture holes in your laminate panels
Use a hole saw to cut out holes in your laminate sheets after making accurate measurements. Put the panel on an even plane and place some scrap wood beneath it to provide safety as you drill holes. Once you are done, turn the laminate sheet upside down.
Step Nine: Dry-fit your laminate sheet
Make sure to dry-fit the laminate sheet on the wall and check that the measurements are accurate. You will need to make adjustments in case the measurements are not accurate.
Step Ten: Put laminate over the fixtures
Take some contact cement and apply a coat with the help of a brush. After the cement is dry, put the laminate sheets in place. Make sure that you start from the bottom and gently bend it as required over your fixtures. You will also need to bump the sheet’s surface with the help of a rubber mallet to ensure that it bonds with the cement board.
Step Eleven: Place laminate sheets on adjoining walls
You can now cut the sheets for adjoining walls, one panel at a time. Go through the dry-fitting and gluing process again to put all the pieces in a sequence.
Step Twelve: Use silicone sealant on the seams
Get a silicone sealant that matches the color of your laminate and apply it to one seam at a time. Smooth the applied sealant throughout the sheets and the perimeter of the walls. Voila! Laminate flooring is now up on the shower walls for you to admire.
Following the steps above, you can successfully put laminate sheets on your shower walls. However, feel free to watch the video below for further clarity.
FAQs
Can You Use Waterproof Laminate Flooring for Shower Walls?
Yes, you can. But you need to remember that even with waterproof walls, you need to be proactive when cleaning up standing water. You must take care of a puddle on your bathroom floor or a leak dripping down on your shower walls immediately.
What Can I Cover My Shower Walls With?
You can use laminate sheets to cover your shower walls. It’s simple and brings about a sense of warmth to your space. Moreover, it does not scratch or dent easily and requires little maintenance. Think about all the times when you accidentally hit your curling iron, shampoo bottle, or blow dryer on the wall. With laminate flooring, all these occasional dings will no longer be an issue.
What Is the Cheapest Material for Shower Walls?
Fiberglass shower wall is the cheapest material you can use for your shower walls. It’s easily available at several home improvement stores.