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 WALL SURROUND SYSTEMS
Wall surrounds are available in the same solid colors as the tubliners, therefore are made of the same DR/ABS.
Solid walls are either smooth surface or simulated tile surface. The
simulated tile offers a look which many homeowners find appealing
without to the grout concerns! Wall surrounds are available in marble
and granite patterns also in DR/ABS. The marble is a very
classic pattern, as is the granite. The pattern is part of the acrylic
and have a great depth to the color variations, much as the natural
stone would! Plus, Liners Direct will be re-introducing the huge
favorite: Cameo White Marble.
You can also find a
raised panel elegance in the 'Mediterranean': with its raised center
soap dish wall panel and two front trim pieces in any color. It makes a
plain 5'x8' bathroom simply beautiful!
Wall surround systems are composed of three individual wall
sections: two side walls (one is additionally referred to as the
plumbing wall) and a soap dish wall. The system also includes one
standard-size soap dish- either recess style or surface style. Wall
sections allow for the installer to cut each wall according to the
defects of the house (ex: walls not plumb, house settling, angles roof
lines). Also, separate walls are more likely to fit through the halls
and doorways to the bath.
We emphasize that with a overall height of 8'2" available, these
wall surrounds go from the floor to most ceiling heights. This is
important because most wall systems that can be purchased at a home
improvement center go from the rail/shelf of the tub and up to 5'. The
section of the wall from the front ledge (rail) of the tub to the floor
(the side wall leg) usually takes the most abuse from spilled water,
causing the tiles in this area to buckle. The benefit of a higher wall
surround is complete coverage and protection from water damage.
Certain walls can be finished with a bullnose trim at the top of
the panel to show a special border or custom tile. We encourage our
customers to go full-height; it stands to reason that full height walls
provide a better moisture barrier as opposed to wall paint or paper.
The three biggest reasons to purchase a wall surround are basic:
- To match a new DR/ABS tubliner after viewing a display or samples in their home, and you realize it more advantageous to purchase a complete package.
- Mold
and mildew make cleaning traditional tile or fiberglass walls
unpleasant and time-consuming. Most homeowners desire low-maintenance
products.
- Water
has leaked behind existing tile walls, causing loose tiles, soft walls
and, in the worst case scenario, water leaks into other areas of the
house.
Another
important selling feature of the wall surround system is the fact that
there are no porous grout lines (as found in tile walls) that will
allow mold and mildew to form. Remember, mildew eats all grout, soap
that adheres to tile and porous surfaces, as well as to some less
expensive caulks. Lack of grout lines, and using a sealant with a
mildicide, makes an easily maintained wall system even easier to clean.
For walls with water behind the tile or soft tile, please
understand that this product is not installed over damaged walls. For a
reasonable service fee, the damaged portion is removed, replaced with
quality support and furred out to the level of the tile before the new
wall surround system is installed.
WALL SYSTEMS COMPARISON
(Prices based on Chicagoland market; suggestions only)
| MATERIAL |
ADVANTAGES |
DISADVANTAGES |
|
- PLASTIC LAMINATE
- Price Range
- $600- $1,200
|
- >Can be scrubbed
- >Versatile styling
- >Less costly than tile
|
- Supports growth of mol & mildew
- Thin surface color/gloss will chip/wear with normal cleaning
- Nicks & scratches are hard to repair
- Excess water causes swelling/delamination
|
- FIBERGLASS
- Price Range
- $600- $1,500
|
- Cheap, D-I-Y
- No grout lines to clean with normal cleaning
|
- Thin surface color/gloss will chip/wear with normal cleaning
- Scratches easily
- Cracks as it ages
- Nicks & scratches difficult to repair; shows fibers
- Shows water spots
- Shows rust stains
- Very limited sizes
- Many manufacturers; product is not consistent
|
- CERAMIC TILE
- Price Range
- $1,000- $4,000
|
- Can be scrubbed
- Versatile styling
- Many color choices
|
- Supports growth of mold/mildew
- Cracks & Chips
- Cold to touch
- Grout hard to keep clean
- Grout is porous & will disintegrate
- Replacing one or two tiles difficult to do
|
- CULTURED MARBLE
- Price Range
- $1,800- $3,000
|
- Less costly than real marble
- Dramatic beauty
- Custom colors
|
- Thin surface color/gloss will chip/wear with normal cleaning
- Cracks & chips
- Nicks & scratches hard to repair
- Very heavy
- More money for solid colors
|
- SOLID SURFACE (Corian (r))
- Price Range
- $2,200- $5,000+
|
- Can be scrubbed
- Versatile styling
- No grout lines to clean
- Many color choices
- Dramatic beauty
|
- Customization especially costly
- Accessories limited
- Walls wider than 30" have seams
- Panel height is limited
- All edges have a seam cap
|
- MARBLE
- Price Range
- $3,000- $6,000+
|
- Many color choices
- Rich visual texture
- Dramatic beauty
|
- Supports growth of mold/mildew
- Stains easily
- Cracks easily
- Scratches difficult to repair
- Cold to touch
- Very expensive
- Colors not always quarried
|
- ACRYLIC
- Price Range
- $700- $1,800
|
- Best quality for the cost
- Same day install
- Can be scrubbed
- Versatile and custom styling
- No or nominal tear-out
- No grout lines to clean
- Solid & marble color selections
- Scratches can be buffed
- Dramatic beauty
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