PVC tiles for wall decoration in the bathroom. Plastic tiles for walls in the interior of your home

Literally until recently, there was no such a wide variety of different finishing materials for the shower room as today. Currently, the modern market offers a fairly extensive range for every taste. Plastic bathroom tiles are a quality replacement for ceramic products. For many years, it was the tile that was the undisputed leader in the decoration of premises with difficult operating conditions.

If we talk about the bathroom, then high humidity, temperature changes, steam and condensate are natural companions of this room. Therefore, increased requirements are imposed on the finishing material to ensure reliable and durable operation. Today, plastic shower tiles meet all the necessary parameters. However, this does not mean that this direction stands still and does not develop.

Of course, in addition to plastic, modern technologies allow the use of other raw materials, such as natural stone or glass. However, their positive properties are somewhat different from the advantages of plastic panels. It is with this that the difference in the materials used in the shower room is connected. Each of the above models has its own advantages and disadvantages.

In addition, in order to put into practice the planned design in the bathroom, additional consumables will be needed. One way or another, plastic products are a compromise option for creating your own shower room, which has a high level of comfort, coziness, and also your own unique style. Separately, it is worth noting that plastic panels may differ from each other in various parameters. Differences:

• the size;
• the form;
• colors;
• structure.

Advantages

Due to its high performance, plastic bathroom tiles enjoy stable popularity among consumers. It is for this parameter that most buyers consider this or that material in their shower room. However, after that, you need to consider other factors that allow plastic to be better than its competitors from other raw materials. Strengths:

Mounting Features

Laying plastic products is quite simple, however, it also has its own characteristics that must be taken into account. When laying tiles on a ceiling or floor, it is best to choose a certain course of action, i.e. from which side the installation begins and ends. Compared to ceramics, this process will be much easier and simpler, at least due to the fact that the base does not need to be leveled.

In addition, there is no need to purchase building mixtures and other consumables. As a result, all this will come out much cheaper than the same tile or other products. In order to lay plastic tiles evenly, you can use drywall or crate. This will allow finishing work to be completed in a short time. If you have little experience in building without outside help, it is possible to carry out a complete finish in the shower room.

Characteristic

Plastic panels are made using various components, the main component is polyvinyl chloride or PVC. Various impurities are added to it, which increase the performance of the material. However, for all their usefulness in the bathroom, plastic products are used only indoors, and not outside. This is due to poor tolerance of ultraviolet rays with unprotected exposure and other natural factors.

Plastic tiles in the bathroom

As for the advantages of raw materials, among them one can note the high durability and strength of the material. The main advantage is the light weight of the products, which makes it easy to transport plastic panels. In addition, due to the small mass, plastic does not create a high load on the surface of the wall, ceiling or floor. Separately, it is worth noting the extensive range that the modern market offers.

Plastic panels easily fit into any interior and emphasize a certain style.

A large number of various models allows you to implement the idea in the form of any design in the room. Today, modern manufacturers offer their customers various panels suitable for every style. For example, if you want to create a rustic or classic style in your shower room, then you can’t do without the appropriate design! To do this, use a special plastic tile, made to imitate other materials. Kinds:

• metal;
• stone;
• wooden.

Video instruction

Modern technologies make it possible to make high-quality repairs at relatively low financial costs.

One of the most affordable types of wall decoration in the bathroom is polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tiling.

The surface sheathed with them looks attractive and neat, and the variety of colors and textures allows you to choose an option for any interior.

Article content:

Tile features

PVC boards are oblong plastic panels with internal perforation and laminated on the front side. The pattern on the front side is very diverse, and the latest fashion models wear 3D images or photo printing. In addition to the pattern, the front side can be imitated with various textures - wood, tile, marble, etc.

The main advantage of PVC boards is moisture resistance. Thanks to him, they become a worthy replacement for tiles.

In new buildings, where shrinkage of the house is expected in the first years and deformation of the walls is possible, such a finish can be considered as a temporary option.

Installation of such material is quite simple and any novice craftsman can handle it. The finished surface is easy to clean, it does not allow moisture to pass through, it is easy to drill holes in it for communications and installation of accessories.

The installation of PVC boards does not require special preparation of the wall surface if the plaster is in a satisfactory condition.

By use, PVC boards can be for external use (siding) or for internal use (wall panels). For siding, greater resistance to weathering, mechanical damage and ultraviolet radiation is provided.

Advantages and disadvantages

In addition to low cost, PVC plates have a number of advantages:

• moisture resistance;
• resistance to the appearance of fungi and mold;
• a light weight;
• ease of installation;
• surface preparation is not required for installation;
• the ability to hide the shortcomings of the foundation and communication;
• wide decorative possibilities;
• environmental friendliness.

PVC tiles are not only easy to install, but also easy to dismantle if necessary. It is easy to drill for installation of lamps, heated towel rails, hooks, and other accessories.

The appearance of the plates allows you to combine different textures and create design solutions that are impossible when using natural materials.

Individual damaged areas can be replaced without damage to the rest of the area. Their significant plus is the ideal geometry, so no special tools are required for installation.

Finishing with PVC tiles allows you to leave open access to communications and technical structures. In addition to walls, they are also used for finishing floors and ceilings. Hinged structures allow you to hide communications, wires, etc.

The disadvantages include the fact that with improper installation of products and a violation of tightness, there is a high probability of the formation of fungus and mold. When installed, they take up space by 4-5 cm on each side, which is important in small bathrooms.

How to choose?

The quality of PVC tiles is determined by the presence of stiffeners - the more of them, the greater the strength of the product. Therefore, for a quality choice, you should pay attention to this indicator.

The stiffeners must be free of any damage, deformation or other defects.

You need to choose plates from the same batch, in order to avoid discrepancies in color saturation, texture, and shades.

In order to avoid overspending of the material, during installation it is necessary to correlate the area of ​​\u200b\u200bsheathing with the material and the dimensions of the products, and calculate the correct option.

When buying, you need to try to connect the two products together. The joint should be clear, without convolutions and deformations. It should be almost invisible.

A high price when choosing PVC products does not always indicate high quality.

When choosing, you need to take into account the dimensions of the bathroom and think over the design - light shades can add volume to a small room.

When purchasing PVC tiles, you need to take it with a margin, since you have to cut it to install it in the corners.

When installing tiles, you need to decide on the installation method. If the walls are even, you can choose to mount with screws or glue. If there is a question of practicality and it is necessary to hide surface defects, ventilation, other communications, you should choose the method of fastening to the frame - crate.

After the purchase, the products must lie in the room where they will be mounted for a day. They are not installed at temperatures below minus 10 degrees.

They cannot be installed near heating devices, and if they are, a heat-reflecting screen must be installed.

When installing, compensation gaps should be taken into account, since the panels change their linear dimensions during temperature changes.

For long PVC panels, the best fastening method is plastic rail fastening. The greater the number of guides, the stronger the structure will be. The guides are attached to the wall with dowels. Corners and joints should be covered with sealant to prevent moisture from entering. On the crate or on the PVC guide plates are fastened with self-tapping screws or brackets.

Another installation option is gluing. If the surface is even, without flaws, it is treated with a primer for better adhesion.

To accurately place the tiles, you need to mark the surface. Tiles should be laid in horizontal or vertical rows to avoid a large number of joints. Joints are potential entry points for moisture and should be tightly sealed. You need to make sure that after gluing they do not move.

With any type of installation, it is important to maintain proper sealing. If it is violated, the probability of the formation of fungus and mold on the concrete surface under the tile is very high.

For installation, in addition to the materials themselves, you will need a level, a screwdriver, a tape measure, a construction knife, a hammer.

The adhesive method of fastening is convenient on drywall walls, but if it becomes necessary to remove them from the surface, it will be difficult to do so.

If the plates are patterned, the installation is carried out from left to right, and with plain plates, the direction does not matter.

Types of PVC boards

PVC tiles come in various shapes and textures, with different patterns and shades. The minimum size of such plates is 45.7 cm squares. Different manufacturers have different sizes of tiles and panels. The width of the panels can be from 25 cm.

The technology of their production involves the pressing of various materials with the addition of PVC. To achieve different textures and reliefs, they are processed under high pressure.

Coatings of plates can be single-layer and multi-layer. The choice of colors for single-layer options is more limited than for multi-layer coatings. They do not differ in terms of performance.

Multilayer panels are characterized by a more complex structure and composition. In single-layer coatings, strength is provided by polyvinyl chloride, in multi-layer coatings, the laminating surface can be with the addition of polyurethane and polyester. The top layer can reach a thickness of 1mm, and the total thickness can reach 7mm.

How to care?

Walls in the bathroom sheathed with PVC plates do not require special care. One of their advantages is hygiene and ease of use:

• to remove moisture, it is enough to wipe them with a dry cloth;
• to remove dust, they are wiped with a damp sponge;
• stains can be easily removed with non-abrasive cleaners.

With proper installation and care, such a finish will delight you with cleanliness and last a long time.

The growing popularity of the use of plastic tiles for wall decoration in residential premises is due to the high characteristics of the material and its long service life. A wide variety of colors and textures of lamellas presented by manufacturing companies allows you to decorate and diversify any interior.

Advantages of plastic tiles

• low cost of finishing material (in comparison with);
• aesthetically attractive appearance of the decorated coating: metal or stone differs little from natural counterparts;
• resistance to humidity, steam, temperature fluctuations;
• long service life: the tile is not subject to cracking and rotting;
• fire safety. Plastic wall tiles do not burn, but may begin to melt, releasing toxic substances into the air;
• resistance to chemically active substances, except for acetone, concentrated acids, solvents;
• ease of installation, cutting and dismantling.

Facing with plastic elements is desirable to perform indoors, as the material is subject to fading and discoloration under the influence of ultraviolet radiation.

Why choose plastic wall tiles?

The use of a decorative coating made of polymeric materials has a number of advantages that make it the most convenient and practical for repairing a bathroom, bathroom or kitchen wall bordering the hob or sink:

• the base is constantly exposed to temperature changes, splashes of water or hot grease. Facing made with wallpaper, decorative plaster or paint can be deformed and become unusable, lose its appearance;
• accumulation of steam, humidity provoke the appearance of fungus, mold, rotting. Therefore, the use of plastic, the performance of which is not affected by these factors, is the most appropriate;
• in the event of a water leak from the higher-lying apartments, the repair of walls lined with polymer tiles will require minimal effort and cost, most often regular cleaning will be necessary.

The installation process of polymer products is quite simple, since the tiles are light in weight and can be easily cut. Mounting the lamellas on the frame does not require leveling the base, which is associated with significant labor costs and a large amount of dust during operation.

If we compare the plastic coating with ceramics, then the cost of laying polymer tiles, even if it is necessary to install the crate, will be cheaper.

The seams that are left when facing from ordinary lamellas require further regular maintenance. Plastic elements are glued tightly to each other, without a gap, which ensures the integrity of the coating.

Especially relevant is the use of this type of tile in newly built houses that are in the active stage of shrinkage.

Material characteristics

Plastic for the manufacture of wall panels and tiles is made from polyvinyl chloride, which is enriched in the production process with various modifiers and plasticizers.

The elements can be single-layer or consist of two thin layers of polymer, with longitudinal stiffeners located between them. Due to the presence of a layer of air, tiling improves the heat and sound insulation of the room.

Decorative products can be produced by manufacturers in the following formats:

• tile-type panels - square, rectangular or other shape with a size of 300x300 mm or more, mosaic (individual tiles or modules);
• sheet - standard wall sheets with a width of 100 mm to 370 mm or plates with a width of up to 2 m;
• rack - strips up to 100 mm wide.

The tile can be plain or decorated with various color patterns applied by thermal printing, and additionally covered with a protective layer of special varnish.

The thickness of decorative elements is 5-10 mm.

Plastic tiles are able to withstand temperature fluctuations from 30 ⁰С below zero to 80 ⁰С heat. The synthetic basis of the components meets the requirements of hygienic standards; even when exposed to ultraviolet radiation and heat, there is no release of toxic substances.

The total weight of the plastic cladding does not create a large load on walls and ceilings, which allows it to be used in wooden houses.

The choice of plastic tiles on the wall

When choosing a quality finishing material, you must be guided by the following rules:

• the color of the front surface of the tile should be uniform, the applied pattern should be clear;
• the strength of the lamellas depends on the number of stiffeners and the distance between them (the optimal value is at least 10 mm). Pay attention that the ribs are not broken or deformed, as a dent may form on the front of the panel;
• the upper plane of the tile should be smooth, without waves;
• seamless installation of elements requires the evenness of the sides of the products, which can be checked by connecting two elements and determining the presence or absence of a gap.

Take a measurement of several tiles and compare the result with the data indicated on the batch packaging - the discrepancy found will indicate the low quality of the products.

Installation of plastic tiles on the wall

Material calculation

To accurately determine the number of elements per piece, calculate the total area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe surfaces to be laid: multiply the length of the walls by the width and subtract the dimensions of the doors and windows.

Specify the dimensions of one tile and determine its area, then divide the number obtained by measuring the walls by the result of measuring the lamella.

If the base is irregular, conditionally divide it into squares, calculate the area of ​​\u200b\u200beach and sum the values.

Buy tiles with a margin equal to 10% of the total number of products.

Required tool

To carry out the work, purchase a tile, a deep penetration primer (for the manufacture of the frame, you will need wooden slats or guide and rack profiles).

Styling tools:

• level, vertical plumb;
• chopping cord, pencil, square, tape measure;
• notched trowel;
• construction knife;
• rubber roller.

Foundation preparation

The stage of preparing a flat surface for cladding consists in removing the old coating, cleaning the wall from dirt and dust with a damp sponge.

The prepared surface must be coated with a primer. After the first layer has dried, the wall is treated a second time.

Features of laying plastic tiles on the wall

In the case of using polymer products with a locking joint as a facing material, the wall tiles are fixed to a special frame:

• fix the slats around the perimeter of the room in increments of 40 cm, first aligning the crate with respect to the horizontal and vertical plane of the wall using a level;
• instead of wooden planks, you can use metal profiles: fix the guides along the perimeter of the walls with dowels, place the rack-mounts across the work surface.

The finished coating, installed on the crate, should have small ventilation gaps at the junction of the wall with the ceiling and floor. The gaps are masked with skirting boards.

Before laying self-adhesive or adhesive tiles, you must initially apply horizontal, vertical or diagonal lines to the base, depending on the chosen scheme.

Plain slats or with a repeating ornament on the front surface are more convenient to lay from the near (lower) corner of the room.

If the pattern on the cover will look like a picture or a pattern diverging from the center, start work from the middle of the wall, moving to the corners. You can find the necessary point by beating off the cord with a blue diagonal - their intersection will be the center point.

During laying, make sure that the sides of adjacent tiles adjoin each other with maximum density.

A prerequisite for the implementation of high-quality wall decoration is compliance with the temperature regime in the room during work. The optimal value of the indicator is 20-22 ⁰С above zero.

Caring for polymer tiles

Small dirt can be easily removed with a cloth, foam sponge or soft flannel cloth soaked in warm water with a previously dissolved piece of laundry soap.

Grease and stains of other origin are well wiped off with liquid gels; it is undesirable to use cleaning powder, as its finely abrasive components can leave scratches on the surface of the tile. To make sure that the lamella cleaner is safe, apply a small amount of the drug in an inconspicuous place.

Dust and grease can collect at the joints of decorative elements, which can be carefully removed with a rubber spatula or a brush with hard bristles.

After cleaning, be sure to thoroughly rinse off the remnants of chemicals with clean water and wipe the surface with a dry cloth.

An important advantage of using plastic tiles on the walls is the possibility of self-repair, which can significantly save money. High-quality sealing of all joints and strict adherence to the process technology will allow you to create a beautiful and functional facing coating that will last for decades.

Great for wall and ceiling decoration in rooms with a high level of humidity. In addition, this material does not require large expenditures. Installation of PVC elements is carried out quickly enough.

Main characteristics of the material

Plastic tile panels have many advantages:

• Resistant to moisture;
• Mask the differences and irregularities of the walls of the bathroom;
• Do not require complex maintenance procedures during operation;
• An economical option for creating an interior;
• A large selection of designs will allow you to implement various ideas in the interior.

Disadvantages of PVC panels:

• Not environmentally friendly. Chemical additives are used in the production process. When burning, they are dangerous to humans, because they release harmful components. During operation, poor-quality material may emit a special odor.
• Not resistant to sudden temperature changes in the room. Deformation is possible with such an impact.
• Low strength. Panels made of plastic are subject to mechanical damage.

Types of PVC panels

Finishing material with imitation tiles differs in shape:

• Sheets.
  This material is quite easy to mount, the elements are fixed with glue. The sheets are visually similar to plywood, the thickness varies in the range of 0.3-0.6 cm. Dimensions: 244x122 cm.
• square elements.
  The material is characterized by a strict form. In this case, a variety of designs are possible. The layout is performed with alternating shades or an unusual pattern is formed using different colors.

• The main selection parameter is strength. Plastic panels for tiles must restore their original shape (even after significant mechanical stress). If a dent remains, such material should not be taken;
• The surface must be checked at right angles. In this case, you can see even minor defects and roughness.
• The pale yellow tone of the material indicates that the material was stored in the wrong conditions (under the influence of the sun) or a low-quality coloring composition was applied during production.

It is better to check the indicated dimensions personally, since the declared information and actual dimensions may differ. This feature is often observed in the products of Chinese firms.

To date, there are many materials for decorating and wall cladding. Some of them serve only one purpose, while others are universal. In addition, many materials are interchangeable, such as PVC wall tiles, which is noticeable with traditional ceramic tiles.

I must say that this particular case is the most significant, since the PVC cladding not only has all the advantages of ceramic, but also surpasses it in many ways. I will tell you why it is so good, and what are the features of its installation.

Advantages of PVC wall tiles

To clearly demonstrate the advantages of PVC tiles, I will sometimes make comparisons with its ceramic competitor. So, for starters, here is a list of the main advantages of PVC wall tiling.

• Wide choice of design solutions;
• Wide scope;
• moisture resistance;
• Strength;
• wear resistance;
• Ease of installation and cleanliness during operation;
• Relatively fast surface preparation;
• Good sound insulation;
• There is little waste left during installation;
• Price availability.

The list is impressive isn't it? There are several more advantages of this material, which I will talk about a little later, but for now, let's consider each point of advantages separately.

PVC cladding design is not limited to a few colors and shades. This material is available in different types, they differ not only in color, but also in size, shape, method of fastening, which also affects the final appearance. With the help of PVC tiles, you can make various patterns on the surface and even lay out mosaics from a small material.

A wide range of applications is an undeniable advantage over ceramics. The fact is that with this material, you can finish almost the entire room in a circle, from the floor to the walls and ceiling. The differences apply only to the types of PVC tiles, depending on the surface to be treated.

This material works especially well in damp areas, such as bathrooms and corridors. The only place where such a tile cannot be used is outside the building, since this material does not tolerate sudden changes in temperature. Ceramic tiles are mainly used in the kitchen and bathroom.

Moisture resistance is another significant plus of PVC material. Indeed, how can moisture penetrate PVC? No way. Therefore, the use of this cladding in the bathroom has gained the greatest popularity.

Strength and wear resistance. Although the facing material in question is made, in fact, of plastic, it is strong enough to withstand ordinary household shocks and mechanical damage. Wear resistance to abrasion is at such a level that this coating is recommended to be used even for flooring.

The installation process of this cladding does not take much time and labor. Even a child can lay several rows of tiles, since this does not require the use of special tools. As a result, in the process of work, there is very little debris and dirt left, it is even less than when installing MDF panels.

It is possible to prepare a wall for laying PVC plates relatively quickly. It takes only a few operations to increase the degree of adhesion. There are exceptions only when the surface is uneven and there are obvious protrusions and indentations on it.

During the preparation of the surface and the laying of ceramic tiles, on the contrary, you need to have special knowledge in the construction business, as well as skills in working with tools. In addition, the installation of ceramics is always noisy and dirty work.

A room lined with PVC tiles has increased sound insulation, this is a very important property, especially in the bathroom and toilet. In other rooms, this is also not superfluous.

The economic component of PVC tiles also attracts buyers. This material is quite inexpensive, especially when compared with ceramic tiles. You can transport it yourself, as it has a small weight, which also allows you to save. In addition, there are few scraps left during installation, which allows you to buy material almost exactly along the square of the wall.

It is easy to care for PVC tiles, it is enough just to wash it sometimes with a detergent. Unlike ceramic tiles, this material is warm and non-slip, which improves safety.

Scope of tiles

As mentioned above, the scope of PVC cladding is quite wide, and it can be used to clad walls in almost all rooms. But it was also said that this material can be of different types.

For example, a floor covering is thicker than a similar material for wall cladding. This is due to the increased load that the flooring will be subjected to. In this regard, PVC floor sheathing weighs more, so I do not recommend attaching it to the walls, as it can simply fall off.

In addition, the floor plate is large in size to cover more area and reduce installation time. I advise you to put the sexual version of this material in the corridors and vestibules, since there is a maximum load on the coating.

All types of PVC boards have excellent moisture resistance. Therefore, it is often used for full lining of bathrooms, swimming pools, and, as already mentioned, for flooring in vestibules, verandas and corridors, since these rooms, in addition to a large load on the coating, are also characterized by high humidity.

Also, PVC tiles are used for cladding ceilings. Material for ceiling cladding, has the lowest weight, among all types, of this cladding. I think it's understandable why, to avoid peeling off, under its own weight.

Laying technology

Now let's talk about how to properly lay PVC tiles on the wall, although it can hardly be called masonry, since the solution does not participate in this process, which is typical for ceramic tiles. PVC tiles are glued rather than laid.

For example, let's take the installation of PVC sheathing on the walls in the bathroom. Why in the bathroom? Because this is the most popular place to use this material. There are no significant differences between laying this tile in the bathroom and in any other room.

The first thing to do is prepare the surface. This must be done with any cladding, and this option is no exception. Surface preparation includes operations such as cleaning the wall from old coatings, such as paint. Cleaning from dirt and dust.

If there are significant protrusions on the wall, then they need to be knocked down with a puncher. The recesses must be covered with plaster and carefully leveled, and then allowed to dry. Next, it will be necessary to alternately apply two layers of a deep-acting primer to the wall, and the second layer must be applied only after the first one dries. As soon as the second one dries, you can proceed with the installation.

Before starting work, the tile should lie down a little in the room so that the temperature of the material is equal to room temperature. It is also impossible to carry out installation at temperatures below +18 Celsius.

For walls, he uses three types of PVC tiles, self-adhesive, with mounting glue and with a tongue-and-groove fastening system, but for this type it is necessary to make a wooden wall crate before installation.

Any type of cladding must be mounted starting from the center of the wall and gradually moving towards the edges, laying row after row. Self-adhesive tiles are applied to the wall, and, gradually tearing off the protective paper, they are glued to the surface.

If you are using a material that needs to be self-adhesive, apply it in an even, thin layer on the back of the tile and carefully apply it to the wall. Apply the adhesive with a notched trowel, so the adhesive will lie more evenly.

After gluing each tile, excess air must be expelled from under them. To do this, take a rubber roller and with force, roll it over the cladding. So, you need to do it on each tile, otherwise the material may come off due to the fact that it is not sufficiently fixed.

Starting from the center, after gluing the first unit of the cladding, mount the rest of the cladding. It is important to ensure that the tiles fit very tightly together, ideally, after the work is completed, the seams should not be visible. This is especially important in the bathroom. Since the seams are potential points of penetration of moisture under the skin. If this happens, there may be an unpleasant smell, the spread of fungi and other infection, in the end, you will have to dismantle the skin if it does not fall off due to moisture first.

Important! If during the installation of the cladding, excess glue gets on the outer coating, then it must be removed immediately by cutting it off with a clerical knife. Wiping with a rag is not necessary, this will not help, but will only aggravate the situation.

Having reached the edges of the wall, the excess, if any, must be cut off. After that, we can consider that the installation process is completed, you just need to wait until the glue is completely set, this usually takes up to 3 days, and wash the surface with detergents. Here is such a simple installation, quite simple, beautiful and reliable material.

Video "Wall decoration with PVC panels"

I suggest you look at the option of wall cladding, according to technology using wooden wall battens.