PVC Wall Panels for an Uneven Wall
PVC Wall Panels for an uneven wall
PVC Wall Panels or an uneven wall is an unsung benefit of the humble bathroom wall panel. If you have a wall that is uneven or misshapen, what are your options? You can plaster it or you can fit plasterboard with dot and dab – both approaches require a skilled tradesman.
PVC Wall Panels can flatten an uneven wall by using a dot and dab approach (a lot easier with tongue & groove panels) or for a misshapen wall such as a bowed wall – you can add a timber framework to fit the panels to. We outline both methods below…
4 Minute Read
The uneven wall – the DIY flat wall solution.
An uneven wall could be exposed brickwork, irregular plaster or an impact damaged wall, among others. What are the options to flatten or smooth out the wall?
Traditionally you would choose between plastering, plasterboard or some form of timber cladding.
These will need a tradeperson at some stage so you have the inevitable cost implications plus the variable of time, when can they fit you in?
The DIY Solution
PVC Wall Panels are the DIY option for flattening / straightening a wall. This is a task well within reach of an average DIYer, you do it on your own schedule and no trade fees.
The uneven wall – what are your options?
There are a number of options available including plastering, plasterboard, timber cladding but they all require a tradesperson at some point.
Plastering an uneven wall
A skilled plasterer can flatten a wall and achieve a very good finish in a relatively short time. But you are at the mercy of the plasterer’s diary and the cost.
Using plasterboard to flatten an uneven wall.
You can tackle this with the dot and dab technique (depending on level of wall) but again you will need a plasterer to tackle this, certainly for achieving a smooth finish on the joints.
Fitting PVC Wall Panels to flatten an uneven wall.
There are two common methods to fit PVC Wall Panels to an uneven wall. You would choose on how irregular the surface is.
How irregular is the wall surface?
If it is bowed or misshapen look at our section below but if it has an irregular surface we recommend using adhesive in a dot and dab configuration.
Begin by sealing the wall with a good quality PVA adhesive.
Apply the adhesive in a grid formation (see graphic A) and then push the panel firmly against the adhesive and wall. I use a length of 4 x 2 timber the same height of the panel and apply even pressure throughout checking that the panel is straight and true.
Check for plumb and ensure the panel is straight throughout the length and width then fit the remaining panels slotting the tongue of panel 2 into the groove of panel 1
What adhesive do I use for PVC Wall Panels?
There are many good quality adhesives to choose from covering a wide range of prices.
The industry standard is PinkGrip SF, this is the most reliable we have used and offers the most consistent results.
When do you use an Adhesive?
Any porous surface. For wall panels this would be plasterboard, brickwork, timber battens etc
Does the Adhesive have to be Solvent Free?
Yes.
An adhesive that contains solvents will react with the panel, this results in poor adhesion and the panel may deform.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
How to use Cladding to straighten a misshapen wall.
Fitting Panels with Timber Battens.
When you have a misshapen wall with a bow or movement of some degree the best approach is to build a timber framework and fit the panels to the frame.
This method gives you far greater control over dot and dab as that is better suited to a shallow depth variation.
Adhesive and Screws
When you have fitted the battens you would use a grab adhesive in a Z pattern on the battens and then secure with a screw in each batten. The adhesive will hold the panel secure but the screw will keep the panel locked in position until the adhesive cures.
You must ensure that the battens are screwed and fixed in position with no play before fitting the panels.
Straighten a wall with Timber Battens
You first fit the timber battens to the wall, use wedges or packers to ensure the frame is straight and plumb and then fit the PVC Panels to that straight frame.
Fit the battens on 500mm centres. You will judge the depth of the packers or wedges by how far the wall is out of true. It is personal preference regarding the use of packers or wedges but you must ensure that the batten is firmly secured to the wall, use a good quality screw and plug along the whole length of the batten.
Secure the PVC Panels to the frame
Fit the panels from left to right using a combination of adhesive on the timber batten and a screw in the rear tab of the groove on the panel (right hand side)
The first panel will fit into either an internal corner trim or and end cap, this will secure the first left hand side in position.
What panel depth to use with battens
What panel depth do you use when working with a misshapen wall? You can use any of the depths but I would recommend using sheet timber for the shallower depths.
5mm and 8mm panels
Wall Panels are incredibly versatile and can be used on a misshapen wall, I would recommend fitting a sheet of Plywood or OSB to the battens first then fitting the panels to the board. 9mm OSB is sufficient…you are better served having a solid board behind 5mm and 8mm PVC Wall Panels
10mm Shower Panels
Shower Panels with their depth of 10mm are far more robust and generally speaking you dont need to fit a ‘backing’ panel.
What Tools & Accessories are required to fit PVC Wall Panels?
Glen Coulson
Glen is one of our expert bloggers in bathroom design, cladding and all things DIY. If he isn’t fitting PVC panels, he’s talking or writing about PVC Panels and really should get out more.
Read his posts for the latest coverage of style trends and easy to follow guides.