Shower panels. DIY bathroom job see how to cut and fit PVC panels and what can go wrong...

[@bootsmclaughlin1438]

Fair play to you for giving this your best shot and showin the nitemares that alot of the rest of the KZbinRs dont show because there all so Perfect at fitting them in a Studio that has been prepared for the job and everything is a 100% level and plum not like real life homes where everything is NOT.... GIVEN THIS THE BIGGEST Thumbs up 👍 ever

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching boots. Yes we've all come across instructions that make the job appear easy. I guess if you were fitting these panels constantly you'd make fewer mistakes than a DIY amateur like me. Cheers b33zo

[@pumpas]

Good job there sir. Thanks for the vid

[@ace27499]

Thank you for sharing. Nice to see an honest video rather than in a studio with perfect surfaces to work on to.

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching Chris.

[@dragon1719]

Thank you for sharing this - I'm in the process of fitting the same - and it becomes very clear that it's not quite straight forward when you encounter warped walls - brilliant insight!! All the very best to you Sir!

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching dragon. These panels look great when they're fitted and are extra easy to clean. Go slowly, triple measure everything before cutting, label each panel so you don't get them muddled up and you'll be fine. Good luck with your project! ATB b33zo

[@stevecribbs9247]

Firstly, thank you for sharing this video. It's a no nonsense honest account. I'm about to fit the same panels, in the same configuration. It'll be my second time, and it's not as easy as the online demonstrations the makers/sellers make it out to be. Their demonstrations are with perfect 90° corners, no complications, and who knows how many attempts until they got it just right. My first experience was in a shower with 3 sides enclosed, and right up to the ceiling. My panels end butting up to the shower frame rather than going behind it, but either method would work ok and is just a matter of preference I think. Manoeuvring such big panels within a tight space without damage was challenging, particularly getting them located into the corner trim. I found it best to offer them up at an angle and 'hinge' them in. Previous tiling was much easier in comparison, but 3 years on, the panels still look lovely, and there are no leaks, or grout to discolour. I think the end result justified the difficulty of fitting them for me. They're difficult because each panel is one big piece and there's no scope for error, nor any way of repairing any damage. I'm a retired fitted furniture installer, and I'll admit it wasn't easy. They can look lovely but I'm not sure I'd recommend them, and certainly not to anyone with limited experience.

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching Steve and sharing your experience. I agree the panels still look nice 3 years after I fitted them with no dicoloured grout or mouldy silicone to worry about. The trick is to have perfect walls and angles before you start. If that's not the case the panels are not going to cover the defects and will be a massive challenge to fit for inexperienced DIYers. ATB b33zo

[@andys2497]

Reality at its best ! These panels from what I’ve seen are on a par with Haynes manuals. Skill level 2 ( easy ) followed by step 1 REMOVE ENGINE. Well done. It’s folk like you making these videos that makes one think seriously about the way to approach your DIY bathroom 👍😃😃

[@b33zo]

Ha thanks Andy. You have it on one. I love those ads where apparently only a screwdriver is required to rebuild your entire kitchen. I guess we're a nation of DIYers, which is a way is a credit to our ambition (and why we have so many B&Q sheds) but sometimes our enthusiasm is misled by the advertised skills actually required. These panels look great up but getting there is another thing. Cheers b33zo

[@frankie638]

Hi John you just made my mind up for me was gonna fit these boards in my bathroom but judging by the cost of just that corner you did think I will tile mine great video John love your honesty and your a diy like the rest of us keep up the good work.

[@b33zo]

Frankie. thanks for watching. These boards look great when they're in and fitted properly. Very easy to clean too. The reality is that very few bathroom corners are perfectly up straight and form a 90 degree angle. Add that to shower trays that may not be totally flat and you've got much more than a DIY job on your hands. Good luck with the tiling! b33zo

[@andre9254]

Thank you for being a guide for the real DIYer and not the professional. I'm going to give it a go

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching Andre. It's an easy enough job if you don't lose concentration as you carefully measure and cut everything. Good luck with your project. b33zo

[@amuthanshan]

Appreciate that honest advice at the end about tiles vs shower panels, I was waiting for it from a weary DIYer. If a tile breaks or is badly cut, just replace that tile. If a shower panel breaks or badly cut, it's a major job. The biggest complaint about tiles is the grout gets mouldy over time but there is an easy diy solution to that I found on youtube - Forever White Grout Reviver. Prepare the old grout with a scrub of neat bleach and wash away and dry, no need to remove any old grout itself, apply a thin layer of white Grout Reviver over the old grout using the hand applicator provided, wipe away excess and it looks as good as new and it has stayed on since I applied it 2 years ago.

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching POPSHAN1. Yes, manky grout is the main reason for searching for an alternative but with the bigger tiles available these days there's much less grout to worry about. Thanks for your tip. ATB b33zo

[@ol102jg]

if you grout gets mouldy you have water ingress behind the tile

[@danfdz7862]

Fantastic Job Fella...At least you tried & gave us a peek into the reality of all the pitfalls one can encounter a REALITY CHECK! Thank you for sharing your handiwork with us..I watch it all the way!!!!!👍

[@b33zo]

Thanks Dan. These panels are nice and easy to clean but certainly take some fitting. There's lots of measuring, cutting, adjusting and handling especially if your walls are not up straight and you don't have a 90 degree corner. Cheers b33zo

[@1Humanoid]

Tiles cheaper, Yes but Panels last longer with less maintenance. Its a personal choice. Great video.

[@b33zo]

@1Humanoid thanks for watching and leaving a comment. b33zo

[@saheedk1]

This is my best video of the year.However, I just love the old man for the efforts put on this video. More strength.

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching Omotara Eniafe I'm going to take your comments as a compliment... b33zo

[@smoll.miniatures]

Jeez you must watch some amount of shit if a shower instal is your “best video” 😂 no offence to the creator of the video*

[@deanhowes1577]

So, I'm midway through my 4th time with Upvc panels. I've had different quality each time (including from DBS like you) but always used 250mm wide planks rather than full meter width boards and never for a shower enclosure! I found that the thicker the board the better the quality but you must get a sample to check this out as some boards are still very flimsy on the face panel and easily damaged as you found here. I agree that the profiles are expensive so this time I dispensed with the internal corners and was really pleased with the outcome of butt joining the corners then finishing with a thin bead of silicone to match the board colour/design. Make sure to use a silicone smoothing tool though and not the old DIY finger wipe for a pro finish. I have done full bathrooms to include a shower over the bath plus a cloakroom, also incorporating around window reveals and its come out very well. Compared to Tiles .... not so much choice but so much easier to keep clean without the grout issue. At around £20-25 per m2 for cheaper boards the cost is similar to cheaper tiles so its really all a matter of maintenance or taste! PS No Nails/ sticks like Sh*t etc are too heavy duty and a bit overkill. Basic no nonsense solvent free silicone is fine.

[@b33zo]

Thanks for your update Dean. How were the corners of your enclosure? Nice and flat and up straight I guess. Did you have much trouble running the two sheets together in the corner? The (expensive) corner trim does at least give some tollerance for slightly loose fitting sheets. Did you go for the Aquaseal base trims or just run the sheet straight down onto the shower tray? Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience. Cheers b33zo

[@deanhowes1577]

@@b33zo I Didn't do a shower. but lined all walls in room including over bath and behind toilet etc. As I opted for 8mm x 250mm planks (Easy Panel) the handling and fit was fairly easy. The manufacturers recommended jigsaw or hacksaw to cut but I carefully scored the surface with a Stanley blade and just snapped the board for a lovely clean cut. I have done a 'fit around' for an existing bath and next time I removed the bath first and did the entre wall which is much easier. Where the corners were internal I dispensed with the profile trim and went butt up to the edges. Finished off with coloured silicone sealant. Much better look and cheaper too.

[@will_doherty]

Thanks for sharing your experience - very helpful as I'm about to fit this type of board to renovate my shower, so the board will be glued to the existing tiles. I'm going to fit it directly onto the shower tray, glue it to walls and butt it into the corner joints (the walls form a "U"), then I shall silicone all of the joints, and fit a trim where edges are exposed - latter is minimal as I'm fitting it up to the existing door channels. I think the corner and edge/base trims were the reason for most of your difficulties, and I can't see that they are necessary...

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching Will. Yes the corner trims were quite shallow - about 4mm from memory - so that didnt leave much room for error. Deeper channels for the panel to slot into would have helped a lot. You could possibly push a narrow 90 degree corner trim on top of your silicone to tidy up the joint. Good luck with your project. b33zo

[@will_doherty]

@@b33zo Thanks 👍

[@MrNaKillshots]

You gave it a go. I have one wall that is a false wall,so need to use the panels. My walls are pissed but in order to get the 90 degrees I'll pack more sealant in order to get the required angle. No big deal; it's not as if it's structural.

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching MrN. Yes think sealant/adhesive might do it if the wall is not too far out of shape. b33zo

[@grumpygit447]

A more honest view than a lot of demonstrations which show on perfect walls I have fitted a few of these and agree with you

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching gg. Yes probably more time spent getting the walls perfect is a good starting point...b33zo

[@Aliens4world]

Thats the most realistic diy video i have seen on youtube. Thx for ur efforts to tell us about pitfalls ….

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching Kashif. The panels look very nice and are easy to keep clean but fitting them to walls that are not up straight and into corners that are not at 90 degrees is quite a challenge. b33zo

[@jonneym]

I’m just about ready to fit three panels around my shower tray and a sliding glass door. I anticipate a similar problem you had with corners and pipe work. So I intend to put up the panel with cut holes first, for the hot and cold copper pipe work with the corner trim siliconed and attached. Once this is in place I will screw the corner bead to the wall ready for the back panel to slot in. The back panel will have the next corner siliconed and attached. Once this is slotted in I will screw the corner bead to the wall. The last panel should slot straight in. Your video is very informative and I intend to pay close attention to the cut measurements top, bottom and especially the back panel. I don’t feel the need to pay so much attention to the bottom cut following the contour of the shower tray as I will finish with silicone to cover the edge. Although I will check how much it runs out by. I’m about to order these and wonder if I should tile instead

[@b33zo]

Hi John thanks for watching. Yes a friend of mine stuck the corner trim to the sheet with silicone before gluing to the wall. Cant do much harm but the bottom line is each sheet has to be tailor made for its position. Not keen on running silicone along the bottom edge. Once it starts going manky the whole idea of an easy-clean shower enclosure is lost. These sheets look great when they're in but need a lot of care in the fitting. Good luck with your project. b33zo

[@anthonygilmatin4581]

You Sir, are a genius. Thank you very much for your knowledge and great skill. You explain everything so very well. Greetings from Australia!

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching Anthony and leaving your kind remarks. I spent many years in Aus. Maylands WA, Glenferrie Vic, Cremorne NSW and Norman Park Q. Happy days. b33zo

[@splitstrim]

I just doing my shower in en-suite. Will use shower panels for this. thank you for detailed video. i have learned a lot from you wise fair man.

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching and good luck with your project. b33zo

[@Shodan_AI]

well done, we all make errors in DIY, you should hold your head up high, excellent effort, and a very decent result

[@b33zo]

@Shodan_Al thanks for watching. Hopefully DIYers can learn from my mistakes! b33zo

[@peterfido8735]

I've fitted these panels quite a few times and have always found it easier not to use the internal corner trim,a nice clean bead of silicone looks way better in my opinion, only ever use the end trim .

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching Peter. I guess if your walls are perfectly flat and plumb and the edges of your hollow section sheets are undamaged gunking the internal corner with silicone would work. Unfortunately the walls here were not completely flat and the shower tray was slightly concave which meant, as a DIYer, I got into trouble. ATB b33zo

[@normanbowden4466]

Best video I have seen on this. I have already bought some cladding so here goes. Wish me luck.

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching Norman. It's just a case of keeping your concentration and measuring carefully. Good luck with your project. b33zo

[@diy-fi6jq]

How did you get on?

[@borovicalnd]

Have fitted mine and almost had same problem as you. I have realised that cladseal trim is thicker plastic than corner trim and when you try to push it in at the bottom there is no space. So I shaved first 20mm just enough to squeeze it in. Also i have found that only useful trim is corner trim inside the shower enclosure. All other corners I would do just with the silicone and smothener tool. Have spent fortune on trims but didn’t need them and look much better without them.

[@b33zo]

@borovicalnd thanks for watching. Yes the job looks a lot easier on paper than in practice. In the long run I think trims will look a lot nicer than silicone even if you manage to apply it beautifully. A colleague managed to fit the two panels into the corner trim first (using a light amount of silicone as adhesive) then lift the whole 'L' shape in to position on the shower tray. He said it looked great - but I haven't seen it myself! Thanks for sharing your experience. b33zo

[@victoriapiekarz4767]

Although we are in the US, I wish we had seen your video before we bought our shower panels. My husband encountered similar issues. We gave up and installed rigid walls that screwed together.

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching Victoria. Sorry for your trouble. I have many years amateur building experience and still found fitting these panels much more difficult and time-consuming than it looked. Let's call it quiting while you're ahead rather than giving up! Best wishes b33zo

[@rjt4020]

Good honest info in vid. Many thanks for sharing. Just in middle of this job. Having fun & games but hopefully get there in the end.

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching rjt. I found plenty of ways to get it wrong so go slowly and it will come out okay. Good luck, b33zo

[@kenn1936]

Thank you for sharing this video. £100 for the adhesive is a lot of money!!! But at least you know the shower panel will not fall off the wall. Not sure about the silicon £6 per tube does not seem to be enough for a good tube. Use lots of silicon all around the boards to ensure no leaks! You did a great job. It is very difficult to cut around the shower and get it spot on!!

[@b33zo]

Thanks again for watching Ken. Like most DIY jobs there are mistakes and sometimes they're expensive. Having spent many hours cleaning shower enclosures I avoid gunking up the external areas with silicone as in my experience it looks horrible after a couple of years. Cheers b33zo

[@kenn1936]

@@b33zo It does - you are right. I like the way you put the trim on the bottom of the bath panel - that is a fabulous idea. Silicon is a nightmare, especially if it stains after time.

[@feargach2107]

Thank you for a guide for the real DIYer and not the professional.

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching Fergus. b33zo

[@swindass]

like your candour john and agree costs of this is much too much...tiling is less stressful and a damn site easier and more forgiving. i dont think that i could have posted this demo...so hats off to you..

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching swindass. Obviously I don't set out to get it wrong or make mistakes but as someone said 'that's the reason pencils have erasers '. I think people appreciate seeing the pitfalls in various jobs (as well as having a laugh). I did hundreds of jobs that went right and hardly remember any of them but the ones that went wrong I never forget! Cheers b33zo

[@petepiper7383]

@Davestroud1499 - doesn't matter what the walls are like as long as they are not massively out of plumb or a nice neat 90 degree in the corner. The panels can be plumbed vertical and scribed into the corners. Even if the corners are way out you can still give the illusion of being "spot on" You need to get and use the correct fixing adhesive/silicone and have the correct tools to do the job. Sadly the only thing I have left out of this equation is that you also need to have experience which comes from many years of fitting products like this and also many years of experience of wall and floor tiling, spot on preparation and the ability to seal the installation correctly . This type of installation will always be challenging to any DIYER no matter how good they think they are. In my opinion fitting panels like this is beyond the ability of a DIY person, even time served craftsman in the trade encounter difficulties with this system.

[@b33zo]

@petepiper7383 thanks for watching and sharing your experience. Yes scribing is an art and may be easier with the mdf backed boards but those hollow panels are different gravy altogether. Us DIYers love a challenge and fear of failure is non-existant. ATB b33zo

[@robbiemulholland8412]

Really enjoyed your video, I was going to fit the pvc Panels because they’re cheaper but now think I’ll buy the more expensive wooden covered panels as they won’t split and should be easier to fit......👍

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching Robbie. Yes, it seems there are new style panels being developed all the time. Coated waterproof ply (expensive) and 11mm mdf panels avaiable but both rely on a waterproof interlocking system. I wonder how reliable would that be. Bottom line is the more time you spend on getting the walls up straight and flat and the shower tray dead level the less trouble you'll have fitting the panels. Good luck with your project. b33zo

[@AlbertH99]

My own experience is 250mm wide by 8mm thick panels are easier to handle and more robust than the skinny 5mm thick ones. The Fibo brand solid ply with laminated front and back are well over £130 a 600mm wide panel so the costs can soon mount up. To finish all four walls in our bathroom including trim and adhesive in the latter would’ve been in excess of £2k so I’m sticking with plastic this time excuse the unintentional pun.

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching roger. Yes the narrow panels are going to be easier to handle. My concern was that the extra joints might end up leaking or eventually look unsightly. I think what most of us have discovered is that extra effort in preparing the walls for upright and flat before attempting to stick on panels is time well spent. ATB b33zo

[@AlbertH99]

@@b33zo that’s the golden rule. Walls must be plumb.

[@kevlloyd1270]

Hi John good attempt but it was doomed from the start, preparation is paramount before the final fit of the panels or and second fit material.

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching kevin.

[@qadeerhussain5751]

Thank you for your valuable time and effort in making this video Cheers

[@b33zo]

Qadeer hussain thanks for watching and for your kind comments. b33zo

[@diy-fi6jq]

Hi B33zo ! ✋🏻What do you think generally, about siliconing the wall/shower tray gap and then siliconing plastic L angle ontop ? double barrier and no ugly silicone to go mouldy & replace... 🤔 🙂

[@b33zo]

@diy-fi6jq thanks for watching. If the surface is clean, dry and free of dust and you apply the silicone properly there will be no problems. b33zo

[@davestroud1499]

Very interesting video - thanks for taking the time to share and explain the pitfalls fitting these panels (sad about the damage). Only just seen your story a couple of days after choosing and paying for similar panels plus trims etc, which are now due to be delivered in a few days time, and I'm suddenly a little concerned! I was planning to go over well tiled walls (as they suggest is good) but with constantly failing grout which actually look plumb straight with 90* corners - but on checking they are very much not perfect right angles (the same as probably most people's walls) and not spot on at all! Can anyone advise me if there is there any 'wriggle room' with these panels or do they only fit on to 'the perfect wall' as shown in their promo videos?

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching Dave. You'll be fine. Just go slowly and bear in mind that each panel has to be cut bespoke to the wall it goes on. If the shower tray is dead level that's your starting point. Scribe into the corner and when that's cut check to see if the 'open' end is plumb. Theres not much wriggle room and quite honestly if the corner trim had more depth the job would be less difficult. Good luck sir. b33zo

[@davestroud1499]

@@b33zo - Thanks for the reply. We're committed to having the panels now as they arrive tomorrow (plus 'the wife' really wants them for ease of cleaning) so I'm going to have a go and hope for the best. Because annoyingly one of the two corners in the en-suite is over 90* I'm planning on leaving both of the corner strips out and actually butt both corners in an 'L' shaped configuration - duly in theory giving a first seal with silicone to the ends of each linked panel forming a letter 'L'. I will then take a slightly modified length of 9mm tile trim (fully siliconed - if that's a word) throughout it's hollow area - plus in matching colour PVC rather than shiny aluminium (which isn't flexible) - and insert it into the visible siliconed opening of each 'L' joint, to cover and hide it plus give a 2nd seal to the joint and thus provide a similar effect to the often supplied corner strip. Fingers crossed 🤔

[@b33zo]

Good luck@@davestroud1499 sounds like a reasonable plan. The adhesive goes off quite quickly so bear that in mind. We will all be interested to hear (or see) how you get on. b33zo

[@diy-fi6jq]

how did u get on Dave?

[@davestroud1499]

@@diy-fi6jq - I fitted the panels as I described in my last reply to @b33zo using corner strips and it worked OK, no problem with un-square corners. Had to be fairly accurate measuring and cutting the panels but I'm guessing less so than if I had been using the alloy corner lengths. The Diall tiling corner trims came from Screwfix and were £3 less than B&Q per length, they had to be modified by cutting them to less than the depth of the joint between the panels and were easy to trim with scissors - just silicone the gap and the trim then insert it. Used a little more silicone than expected overall but this was balanced somewhat by the refund I received for the alloy corner lengths. I cut the panels with a jigsaw against a straight edge using a fine toothed blade (actually a blade for cutting metals) with the good side facing down - this was easier than a handsaw by far. Drilling holes in the panel did make me sweat a little but now; 'the wife' is happy so I can rest easy.

[@diy-fi6jq]

Considering the best water seal and longevity....grout and silicone fails esp around shower base..... Looks like this 2 piece system with upstand is greatly superior

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching.

[@em8969]

thankyou sir for such a indepth video, this is exactly the video i needed, thankyou

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching EM and good luck with your project.

[@MohammedAli-1]

Looool at i still bollocksed it up 🤣 As mentioned in previous vid I love your honesty I. E leaving the challenging bits unedited. I've fit the bath BTW inspired by your bath fitting video. I used battens like you did and it was a success. Thank you, and I've subscribed 👍🏽

[@b33zo]

Thanks Mo. Well done! Move yourself up from DIY 'beginner' to 'improver'. I made a video on simple DIY bath panels that might help with the next stage of the bathroom renovation. Cheers b33zo

[@MohammedAli-1]

@@b33zo Thanks B33zo. Would be good if I could somehow send you pictures of the job so you can see the inspiration you have been.

[@b33zo]

@@MohammedAli-1 [e-mail] would probably reach me.

[@MohammedAli-1]

@@b33zo Hi b33zo, I have emailed you 👍🏽

[@terrythurston8572]

Great video my man. Just a thought when in the corner of shower ( right angle ) forgetting the metal trim could you not butt them up like tiles and use waterproof grout into the corner or silicon Thus doing away with trim . Thanks.

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching Terry. The panels I used are hollow section and cutting to create a 'machine edge' neat enough for butting up would be nearly impossible. There are mdf filled panels out there which would be easier to cut but mdf in the shower? Not for me. The key to the whole job is to have perfectly flat walls and a beautiful 90 degree corner (and dead flat shower tray). Deeper trims would be a big help to cover any inaccuracies in what are eventually bespoke size panels. Good luck if you are planning to fit panels. They look really nice when they're in - and you can use the off-cuts for a bath panel! b33zo

[@terrythurston8572]

@@b33zo thank you very much for your informative reply ? Very help I’m fitting panels over tiles not purchased them yet but have fitted new shower tray. Many thanks Terry .

[@roasthunter]

Very useful video, did you rip out the damaged panel? I am doing this myself shortly once I finish the tray, your other video on that and the waste is very useful too. My wife got these panels so will see how it goes, I need to check the Instructions as I was hoping to fix them before I install the tray but depends on what the instructions say.

[@fergy1ful]

Well, I've ended up doing both (nearly)!. Tiled out the shower enclosure (3 walls) but knew all along it wasn't going to work as the wall surfaces were poor and far from square, but.... I'd bought the tiles some time ago and felt I had to go on. Sure enough, tiling looked great but leaks all over. Leaks between tiles and shower tray, leaks through grout and onto the wall behind the tiles; an utter bodge job to make anyone blush. I've ripped it all off, removed the walls and boarded with aquapanel. I've not got a truly square shower enclosure but it's better than it was. Knowing the lack of 'square' I opted to not use the bottom sealing channels and instead sealed the tray to the wall using tanking tape. My next job is to mount the new PVC panels leaving a 5mm space on the bottom to fill with silicon (this has the tanking tape behind) so I've only got corner trims and end caps to worry about so only really one 'square' edge to focus on which I can compensate by cutting the board on a slight angle if needed. I also avoided the lower trims as I was very unsure about securing the seal between these and the shower door as I also want to extend the panel beyond the shower tray on 2 sides. Wish me luck! If it works, I'll happily repeat the technique at another house, if it doesn't, I'll never attempt to line a shower or bathroom ever again!

[@b33zo]

Thank for watching Mike and explaining how your project unraveled. I cant help thinking that if we put more effort into getting the shower walls up straight to start with everything after that would be much easier. Pity you had to rip out your tiles. My main reason for using panels was to minimize cleaning effort. We all know how manky grout gets and silicone too. For that reason I would recommend those trims (aquaseal?). A 5mm bead of silicone around the shower tray might not look so nice after a year or two. Good luck with your panels. b33zo

[@diy-fi6jq]

how did you get on?

[@fergy1ful]

@@diy-fi6jq 100% success! This is a ‘bomb-proof’ method and I’d happily tackle another one in the future. No leaks. No worries of leaks.

[@diy-fi6jq]

well done 👏🏻@@fergy1ful Yes nobody mentions how the lower / shower tray trims seal at the shower frame / enclosure.. So you siliconed the bottom of the panels and up the corner? What do you think caused the "Leaks through the grout" when you tiled? My tiles dont seem stuck to the wall but I need an angle grinder to get through the grout to separate them.

[@fergy1ful]

@@diy-fi6jq I used a waterproof tape which ran about 5cm up the backing board and then onto the top of the shower tray. The final plastic panel then came down to about 1cm above the tray. I siliconed this gap so the silicone was basically on top of the water proof tape. I removed the excess tape from the shower tray top with a razor blade so only the bead of silicone was visible. I couldn’t really see the plastic seals which the bottom of the panels go into working for me as the enclosure wasn’t square enough and they would have caused complications sealing round the shower door. I think my grout leaked because the tiles weren’t truly flat and square to the wall so some joints were a bit thin on grout and weak. I think the key to success whether tiling or panelling is a good flat backboard, ideally something like aqua panel. I went back to the stud work (even that wasn’t square) and started from scratch.

[@briansrcadventures1316]

I had my bathroom suite installed 5 years ago. The company used shower wetwall panels (not cheap!) with a moisture resistant MDF core. Now they are starting to delaminate, due them not being properly sealed along the bottom where it meets the shower tray. Of course, the company went bankrupt a year after installing the bathroom suite. So it's going to be a major problem getting this fixed! To be honest, I wish I had went for a colour contrasting tile in the shower enclosure (the rest of the bathroom has a white tile), preferebly with a waterproof panel behind the tiles, rather than plasterboard!

[@b33zo]

Hi Brian thanks for watching. A disappointing tale. The panels I fitted are 100% PVC so there are no longevity problems - they could probably even be stuck to bare studwork (probably!). If you use the proper Aquaseal strips ( the mini upstands that sit on the tray) and install them properly (with good quality silicone - not the 99p stuff) there should be no leaks. The work is all in the cutting and fitting with each sheet of material needing to be created as a bespoke panel to its own site. It's a bit more than a DIY job really as there are many ways to get it wrong and at £50+ per sheet it can be an expensive learning curve. Nothing wrong with trying though!! Cheers b33zo

[@kenn1936]

I can imagine the frustration!!! I had a guy fit my aqua boards and bath panel. I noticed after he had left that he glued the bath panel on!!!!!! How do I get the panel off, if I need to. They normally screw on or clip on. Plus he put the panel above the sink about 4 inches - I lost the plot with that one, I asked why???? He said "one tile size". - YEAH!! Isn't that what you do when you have no money??? Tile up from the sink - with one row of tiles?? I had endless supply of aqua boards!! I made him redo it. BUT, on inspection he joined on a piece of board to the original 4 inch board. You just cannot get quality workmen. I still laugh at his explanation for 'one tile"!! as if he was trying to save money!!!

[@b33zo]

@@kenn1936 Ha thanks for watching Ken. Good story! The worse thing is when you decide you haven't got time or the job needs special tools and you PAY someone else to do it - and they stick cock it up. There are lots of good guys out there but finding them is another matter. cheers b33zo

[@kenn1936]

@@b33zo I go with recommendation now - I learnt my lesson. I got this guy out of an advert somewhere. he lived locally. The reason I say that is: He said he charged for travel!!!!! We lived in a village outside of a city ... so he charges anyone in the City for travel??? It is THEIR fault he lives outside of the City??? Bizarre!!! All the work is in the City, He will only find a few customers in a village!!

[@qadeerhussain5751]

Excellent video 📹

[@MrNaKillshots]

I am about to do this, and my walls are pissed, but I'll get there.

[@nev7711]

Well done for having a go. As you say, you're a DIYer and not a professional working in a studio. Best wishes

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching Nev. I've forgotten hundreds of jobs that went right but it's the ones that go wrong you remember. b33zo

[@nev7711]

@@b33zo I'm starting the same job next week, but with a bath. I learned some ideas from your job that I'll transfer to mine. 👍

[@wantingtolearn2732]

I am looking to fit these type of panels. My walls are not very straight in the corner, so am wondering whether it would be best not to fit the internal corner and mastic up the corner where the two panels meet.

[@b33zo]

@wantingtolearn2732 thanks for watching. To be honest to get a decent joint in the corner you still have to prepare the panels in a made-to-measure way. I would spend time on straightening the walls by plastering first and then the panels will go on nicely. Good luck with your project. b33zo

[@wantingtolearn2732]

@@b33zo thanks.

[@laurafidler7653]

Hello, would you ever considering putting one of these boards behind the shower tray/bath, which is what I envisaged would happen, instead of it sitting on top? Thank you

[@b33zo]

Hi Laura I guess you 'could' run the sheet behind the shower tray or bath but you would still need to properly 100% waterproof the join. In the case of the shower tray if the corner was not exactly 90 degrees I feel you'd run into problems and end up with a big silicone mess trying to seal the tray and panel. So no, as a DIYer, I don't recommend placing the sheets behind the tray/bath. Good luck with your project. b33zo

[@Kinadnuf]

Whew! Well done mate.

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching kindanuf. b33zo

[@suzylawrence6]

Even in a brand new house it’s not until you start measuring for items that you realise nothing is square or straight but it looks perfect to the eye…

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching Suzy. How right you are! Could you imagine a situation where you had a 12 foot square room and you could go out and buy a 12x12 carpet that would fit? Cheers b33zo

[@robertneely5148]

Please can you explain how you cut the holes for the pipes? I assume you used a hole saw, did you drill a pilot hole first? What kind of bit did you use, brad point wood bit, metal bit, something else? Thanks!

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching Robert. Yes I used a hole saw, 25mm from memory. I just measured up from the shower tray and in from the corner, twice, marked it and made a small pilot hole (5mm drill) to avoid skidding off the mark with the hole saw. Good luck if you're doing this sort of job. b33zo

[@robertneely5148]

@@b33zo like you I regret going down this route. One of my 3 panels was delivered damaged and The Panel Company want me to pay for a replacement. The panels seem to be very brittle and easy to damage.

[@b33zo]

@@robertneely5148 Thanks Robert. These panels look great when they're in and fitted well. I would suggest that this job is beyond the average DIYer and a stretch for those of us who have plenty of experience. Wonky walls will catch most people out. ATB b33zo

[@scoobydo2]

Currently removing these panels and retiling, about 2 jobs a week! Most are are not fitted correctly and leaking

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching Stu. Nice to know you're busy! b33zo

[@johnross2924]

Good honest video sir 👍

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching John. b33zo

[@davidbowser5274]

Thank you for the video that's made my mind up 👍

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching David. Looks great but installation 'challenging' for most of us DIY'ers. . b33zo

[@222vaux3]

It might be easier to cut a section out of the plastic base trim rather than the metal corner trim.

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching 222vaux. Yes you're right it's not a pretty joint. From memory I think I decided that the base trim (aqua - something) was doing a vital waterproofing job whereas the metal frame was less so. ATB b33zo

[@mfielding007]

Good video, I would rather watch a DIY than a professional

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching malc. I think we all learn more from our mistakes than from things that go right. b33zo

[@tonymariner5519]

2 pairs of hands as suggested in the fitting instructions

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching Tony. Unfortunately the only instructions I had were for the aquaseal strips and for the adhesive. The panels came from an Ebay company. b33zo

[@Muslim-xt4lo]

u so good great jobe mate

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching. I have no intention of doing any more panels! b33zo

[@jackfoster501]

Can get panels way way cheaper than that. Cheepo ones will do just as good a job

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching jack. Could you share with us your preferred supplier please? b33zo

[@garytango]

👍

[@brianthetrain9283]

Panels are far better than tiles as you never get that horrible mould form on the grouting even if you are a cleaning wizard.

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching Brian.

[@smoll.miniatures]

Should have taken the sheet off, flipped it round and the crack would have been covered by the shower enclosure…

[@chaymation2]

He already had a hole cut into it for the water pipes, so flipping it wouldn't have worked.

[@BobFursse]

Cowboy Not a scooby!

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching Bob.

[@khbg12006]

The trouble with tiles, is unless you are a perfect tiler they are not going to look professional, and you've always that awful grout

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching Kevin. Yes, agreed. I guess the bigger the tiles the less grout on show but in reality what ever you do it all comes down to the walls being flat and up straight to start with. ATB b33zo

[@Robcatist]

This is not as straightforward a job as you might think.

[@b33zo]

Ha no you definitely got that right Rob! Thanks for watching. b33zo