How to make repairs with plastic panels with your own hands

In detail: how to make repairs with plastic panels with your own hands from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

Repairing a toilet with plastic panels is the best option for those who want to make budget repairs in an apartment. This method has several advantages. First, you can purchase a fair amount of inexpensive material. Secondly, it is very easy to install it yourself, which will save a lot of money on payment to the masters.

Before finishing the toilet, you need to choose quality panels. There is a huge range of these products on the market, but not all products meet the requirements of modern quality standards. It can be quite difficult for the buyer to visually determine the reliability and safety of the offered products. So that you do not "run into" defective panels, we will reveal a few secrets to you. They will allow you to pick up really high-quality material that will last a long time.

The composition of PVC panels should include additives designed to improve the elasticity of the material. Due to the presence of these components, products are easy to bend and are difficult to accidental mechanical damage. If you are offered plastic, on which dents remain from pressing with a finger, then you should refuse such products. This material is not able to serve for a long time. In addition, it will lose its original appearance within a year.

To easily check the quality of the material, it is worth doing the following. Start by grasping the edge of the panel with two fingers and squeezing lightly. As a result, the ribs that are inside should not deform or bend. In addition, the appearance of dents in the top and bottom of the panel is not allowed. Then try peeling back the material mounting strip. It is located on the edge of the product and forms a docking lock. As a result, this part of the material should not break or crack. In high-quality materials, it quickly returns to its previous position, and no traces remain on the bending lines.

Video (click to play).

Next, carefully inspect the outside of the panel. Internal ribs should not show through the top layer. It is better to opt for products, the surface of which is uniform and smooth.

To check, hold the panel to the nose. The product must not emit any unpleasant odors. If you smell a strong chemical smell, then it is better not to use such material for repairs in the toilet. Most likely, this plastic was created from cheap raw materials or with violations of technological production standards. If you buy these panels, the toilet decorated with them will have an unpleasant smell, fumes hazardous to health.

In shops you can find panels of various widths. In small rooms, it is worth using products that are not too wide, since after work there will be a large amount of unusable waste. Therefore, in order not to guess with the desired decoration batch, before sheathing the walls, it is worth measuring them and calculating the required amount of material. Another important nuance when choosing a product is the seller's certificate. The document must indicate the country of origin and the compliance of the product with all sanitary and technical standards.

In order to finish the toilet with plastic panels with your own hands without problems, you need to prepare for work. First of all, take all measurements and buy materials. The preparation of tools and surface treatment will also be a mandatory event.The purpose of the measurements is to find out how many panels are required to operate. At the same time, it is also important to calculate the number of profiles that will be useful for decorating external and internal corners. In addition, the profiles will be needed to mount the panels to the floor and ceiling lines. Often, these finishing elements are needed for the installation of doors, windows and cabinets, if such work is also included in the planned repairs.

The choice of profiles directly depends on the design idea, the size of the toilet and the installation technique of panels in some areas of the room. As for the main material, its amount should be 15% more than the measurement result. A certain part will go to trimming. Cases of incorrect cutting or accidental damage to the panels should not be ruled out.

Toilet finishing with plastic panels

Remember that you will also need material to install the battens. In most cases, homeowners need to save every centimeter of an apartment, so the toilet has a small area. In this regard, wooden slats or metal profiles with a cross section of 50 × 20 mm are suitable as a frame. To calculate the number of battens, you need to take into account that the guides of the battens will be located at a distance of 50-60 cm from each other. In addition, calculate the number of parts of the ceiling frame lathing and a decorative box that will hide the pipes. But this is only if you plan to carry out finishing in these areas of the toilet.

In order to fix the frame on the wall surface, you need to purchase dowels of such length that they can be screwed into the wall by 40-50 mm. To find out the number of fasteners, take into account that their pitch during installation will be 40–45 cm. To fix the panels on the frame, you need to purchase self-tapping screws no longer than 20 mm. If wooden slats are used as the lathing, then it is better to use staples 10 mm long for fixing. If your toilet has perfectly flat walls, then you can skip the crate. In such situations, the plastic panels are glued directly to the walls with liquid nails or tile glue.

As with other types of renovation work, finishing a bathroom with plastic panels requires the necessary tools. Having them at hand, you will not be distracted by looking for the right equipment. To work you will need:

screwdriver and a set of bits for it;
electric drill or hammer drill;
drills of different diameters;
manual or electric jigsaw;
scissors for working with metal, if a metal profile is used;
stationery knife;
hammer;
square and tape measure;
marker or pencil;
stapler and building level.

To prepare the wall surfaces, you will also need a hair dryer, putty knives, a brush, and a primer roller. Particular attention should be paid to the building level. It must have a horizontal and vertical pointer. This tool will help you achieve the most flat surface of the walls in the toilet. If you are going to specifically buy both a drill and a hammer drill, then you can get by with only one drill. At the same time, it is important that it has a punching function. This tool will cost a little more than a regular drill, but you will save money on the purchase of a separate hammer drill.

To level the walls in the toilet, you first need to remove all the old trim. This will help eliminate the appearance of mold and mildew in the space between the plastic panels and the wall. Use a metal trowel to remove old wallpaper or other types of trim. If you need to clean the walls of worn-out wallpaper, but they have already firmly adhered to the surface, then for cleaning you can apply hot water to the old finish several times using a roller. You need to shoot the material in those places where it began to separate from the wall. If the walls in the toilet were previously painted with paint, then it is not necessary to completely remove it from the surface before repairing it. The main thing is to remove the dried composition where it began to flake off.

DIY toilet decoration

After cleaning the surfaces on the walls, make the markings. This is necessary in order to determine the size and number of battens for the lathing. If you chose wooden slats as the last, then in the next step, prepare them for installation. First, they are cut to size, after which they are impregnated with an antiseptic composition. It is best to do this on the balcony or in any other room where there is a draft. Before the slats are dry, you can apply a primer to the walls and ceiling of the toilet. It is best to apply 2 coats of this composition. If you are using a white primer, then the wall marking should be done only after the material has dried on the surface.

Finishing the toilet with PVC panels is one of the last stages of indoor renovation. First of all, you will need to secure the battens guides. This should be done only on dry, even walls. Before installing, drill holes in the rails, the diameter of which will correspond to the diameters of the dowels. After that, the slats are applied to the marking. It is necessary to insert a drill into each of the holes in the rail and mark the drilling locations in the wall. Then the rail is laid to the side, and the place marked in the wall is drilled to the length of the dowel.

Combining the pattern of plastic panels

To fix the rail, it must be reattached to the marking so that the holes in it and the wall coincide. After that, we take dowels with screwed in screws and, in turn, drive them into the walls through wooden guides. All elements of the crate are installed in this way.

Before sheathe the walls in the toilet with plastic panels, you need to make a decorative box. It is made of a metal profile and serves as a place where pipes and other communications will be hidden. To manufacture the structure, install vertical struts under the ceiling in such a way that they are located on the sides of the sewer riser. After that, the vertical elements are held together by horizontal guides. To hide all the pipes, the frame of the box should run along the sides of the communications so that after installing the panels they would not be visible.

Next, we start decorating the walls. It is best to start from the far corner. All vertical panels that are installed for toilet renovation must be leveled using a level. Only then can they be screwed on. Remember that the correct position of the first panel determines how smoothly other products will be screwed!

If one or more walls in your toilet are perfectly flat, then it makes no sense to mount the crate on them. In such a situation, the panels are best glued directly to the surface. To do this, take liquid nails and apply them in a thin layer to the wall covering. After that, we apply a plastic lining and, while the glue is not dry, align each of the panels. After finishing the walls, carefully place the material on the decorative box. To do this, take the first panel and attach it to the frame. We mark the places of cutting and shorten the product along the indicated lines.Next, we fasten the lining with self-tapping screws and repeat the procedure with the rest of the material. In the corners and joints, use special plastic corners to make the finish more neat. If finishing your toilet with plastic means installing the material on the ceiling, in this case, do not forget to make holes in the panels for lighting. If you are using spotlights, then you need to cut out circles, the diameter of which will be the same as the diameter of the fixtures. If you have a small shade, then the hole should be of such a size that you can push the wires necessary for connecting the light bulb into it. Image - How to make repairs with plastic panels with your own hands

I propose to consider the option of how to renovate the kitchen with wall panels. It looks attractive, is reliable, easy to install. Does not require large material investments. Repairs can be done on your own without inviting specialists.

Wall panels suitable for kitchen renovation can be made from various materials:

After you have decided on the choice of material, made measurements, it's time to think about the immediate process of finishing.

Option 1

Provided that the walls of the room are even, almost perfect, do not have cracks, protrusions, the panels can be fixed with an adhesive or liquid nails. The easiest option, but it has pitfalls. When you consider updating your renovation, it will be difficult to peel off the old panels.

Wall panel repairs are a great solution when the walls are uneven. The material is attached to the frame, which will allow not only to decorate the walls or ceiling, but also to align them.

Preparation of the premises. We clean the walls from the old finish.

We check the availability of the necessary tools. You will need: a ruler, a plumb line, a level, nails, screws, a drill, a hammer.

Before starting work, it is recommended to open the packaging with the finishing material. Allow to lie down for about a day so that the panels gain the same level of humidity as the room.

Installing the frame. The structure on which the panels will be mounted can be made of wooden beams, slats, plastic or metal profiles.

If you chose a wooden frame, do not forget to pre-coat the planks with a composition that protects against mold and mildew. The solution is usually toxic. Better to do this outdoors.

The profile of the batten is attached to the wall using self-tapping screws. Step from 30 to 50 cm so that the structure is strong. It is important to set the frame planks as evenly as possible. A plumb line, a level will help with this.

If you have a desire to insulate a room or improve sound insulation, then an insulating material is laid between the battens.

Starting from the left corner, farthest from the window, mount the panels. We set the first copy in a corner, fasten it to the frame bar with small nails. If you have a furniture stapler, you can use it.

For the required panel length, leave about 10mm to the floor and ceiling. Over time, the material tends to expand slightly. The trims are useful for installation in the area of a window, door, mezzanine. The next panel will be attached to the previous one using a special lock, already thought out by the manufacturer. We fix each panel to the frame with nails.

The last copy is not fastened with nails, but inserted into the lock between two adjacent panels

We install the necessary accessories. Corners, curbs, skirting boards. They can be fixed with liquid nails or with small regular nails.

The locations of the battens must be marked. It is on them that shelves, cabinets, hooks will then be attached.

Installation of panels can be done in any direction: vertically, horizontally, diagonally. It should be remembered that the frame strips must always be perpendicular to the panels. This installation pattern is suitable for walls and ceilings. The only difference is that it is better to choose thicker panels for walls, as they are subject to physical stress. The tighter the better. There is no such need for a ceiling.

After renovation with panels, the room is easy to clean. No cement dust, plaster, paint smell. Enjoy a beautiful new finish that is as easy to use as it is to install.

A great alternative to a kitchen backsplash from a tile can be a skinned or in other words a glass panel. Fastened with glue or by screwing. Doesn't require leveling walls. The screw-in installation method is considered the most reliable. The manufacturer provides holes in the panel through which screws are inserted, the material is attached to the wall.Then the screw is closed from above with a decorative plug. Looks organic, not striking.

Wall decoration with plastic panels

Decorating with plastic panels with your own hands

Contents of step-by-step instructions:

The positive qualities of the panels include:

low cost;
a wide range of designs and colors;
resistance to moisture, ultraviolet;
ease of installation;
excellent sound insulation;
ease of use (the surface of the panels can be easily washed with warm water and cleaning agents).

But there are also disadvantages that you also need to be aware of. First of all, these are:

a specific smell, especially in the first few days after installation;
synthetic origin, which is why PVC is not recommended for use in residential premises;
deformation with sharp temperature changes;
low strength (the panel can be damaged even with a slight impact).

We also add that PVC panels, when compared with other finishing materials, are not considered prestigious.

Having figured out the features of the coating, you can proceed with the installation.

Ceiling decoration with plastic panels

Building level.
Guide rails, which are made of wood or metal.
Roulette.
Marker.
Hacksaw.
Perforator.
Square.
Mounting stapler.
Screwdriver.
Stationery knife.

Types and colors of plastic panels

To determine the required number of panels, the total area (ceiling or walls) is measured, and a small margin for contingencies is added to the resulting figure. The thickness (0.5 cm or 1 cm) and width (from 20 cm to 50 cm) are also determined.

Note! The surface of the panels can be of two types - matte and glossy.

Taking into account the selected thickness, a plastic cornice and moldings (profiles for joining panels) are selected. If not only the ceiling, but also the walls will be sheathed, then corner docking profiles will also be needed.

PVC plastic wall panels

The length of PVC panels varies between 2 m and 6 m. The length should be selected so that after installation, as little waste as possible remains. Ideally, it should be equal to the length (or width, depending on the installation method) of the wall or ceiling.

It is also worth paying attention to the appearance of the products. The surface of the panels must be flat, without any differences, otherwise the joints will be visible even to the naked eye. In addition, all panels must be from the same batch and have a uniform color.

There are two ways of fixing the panels, the choice of one or another of them depends on the level of humidity in the apartment.

For frame installation, the panels are attached to a pre-assembled frame.
Frameless installation means mounting directly to the work surface.

Both methods differ in both strengths and negative qualities. To find out which one is better, take a closer look at wireframe and frameless mounting.

Suitable for rooms with a high level of humidity (bathroom, toilet), with uneven walls or if you need to install hidden lamps.It is not necessary to carry out any special preparatory work, but some procedures still have to be performed.Step 1. First, all protruding elements are removed from the walls - paintings, lamps, shelves, etc.Step 2. If the walls were previously tiled, then it needs to be removed, and if with plaster or wallpaper, then nothing needs to be done.Step 3. The flatness of the surface is assessed. All detected defects (grooves or protrusions) are repaired with putty. Image - How to make repairs with plastic panels with your own hands

All detected defects (grooves or protrusions) are sealed with putty

Depending on the material, the frame can be of three types:

In most cases, wooden slats are used, but in too humid rooms this is unacceptable (in extreme cases, the wood is treated with an antiseptic). The frame for such rooms is assembled from metal or plastic profiles.

Assembling the timber frame

Note! There are two ways to assemble the frame - vertical and horizontal. The first method is used for horizontal installation of panels, the second - vice versa.

Panels are often installed horizontally, so this article describes the vertical mounting of the rails.

Step 1. Horizontal lines are drawn on the working surface with a step of 0.5 m. For this, you can use the building level.

Step 2. Along each line, fastening brackets are installed (they come with the rails) with a pitch of 60-70 cm. Screws are used to fix the brackets.

Step 3. The staples located at the lower and upper points are bent in the form of the letter "P".

Step 4. Slats (metal or wood) with dimensions of 2x5 cm are inserted into the staples and fixed with 25 mm and self-tapping screws. In this case, it is important to keep the plane, so the level is used again.

Note! The frame assembly technology is the same for both the walls and the ceiling.

After checking the strength of the assembled frame, you can start sheathing.

Step 1. Along the entire perimeter, an L-shaped profile is attached to the rails.

Step 2. Corner profiles are installed at the joints of the walls.

Step 3. The distance between the outer sides of the guides is measured, 5 mm is subtracted from the resulting figure.

Step 4. Installation of panels should be started from any corner of the room - this will reduce the consumption of materials. The panels are fixed to metal slats with screws, to wooden ones - with a mounting stapler.

Note! If no stapler is available, small nails can be used.

Step 5. Each next panel is installed in the corresponding grooves of the previous one. Due to the well-thought-out design, even an inexperienced person can handle the installation.

Step 6. The most difficult step is installing the last panel, as it will most likely need to be trimmed. To do this, you need a hacksaw. The cut panel is first inserted into the profile, and only then into the grooves of the previous one.

Step 1. First, a pre-cut plastic baguette is installed around the entire perimeter of the ceiling. In the corners, its segments are docked at an angle of 45ᵒ, and they are attached to the frame in the same way as when cladding walls - with screws or a stapler.

Step 2. Then the first panel is taken, bent in the middle, inserted with its ends into the grooves of the baguette, pressed against the frame and advanced until its narrow shelf completely enters the groove of the parallel baguette. Then the panel is fixed with a fixing shelf.

Step 3. The second panel is installed in much the same way, except that its narrow fixing shelf is docked with the groove of the first.

Step 4. All panels are fixed in the same way. Traditionally, when installing the last of them, difficulties with the size may arise - you will have to cut the panel.

In dry rooms with fairly flat walls, PVC panels can be installed directly on the walls using liquid nails. In this case, the mixture is applied in the same way as when laying tiles - with dotted or straight lines in the center and along the edges of the panel.

Wall decoration with plastic panels

This method of installation saves time and money, but there are a couple of important points to keep in mind:

liquid nails are also expensive;
with frameless installation, installation of flush-mounted lamps is impossible.

There is a wide selection of fittings, corners and fasteners for plastic panels.

When decorating walls, you should determine in advance the location of mirrors, furniture, paintings, shelves, etc. Where they will be attached, additional fasteners are located even during the assembly of the frame - so there will be no problems with installation.
How do I install the panels - vertically or horizontally? It is worth knowing that in the first case the height of the room visually increases, in the second - the width. You can resort to a very original method - diagonal fastening, but this will complicate the work several times and increase the amount of waste (read: costs).
If the ceiling is sheathed, then you need to think over the lighting of the room in advance in order to complete the wiring even before installing the panels. Mortise lamps look great on ceilings of this type, in particular, LEDs that save energy and do not heat up as much as incandescent lamps we are used to.
When installing panels in the kitchen, a slight gap must be left between them in order to compensate for thermal expansion (it will certainly occur, because gas and electrical appliances will generate heat).

Balcony decoration with plastic panels

To clean PVC panels from dirt, use a soft cloth and detergent (always without solvent). Do not use a washcloth or hard cloth - they will damage the surface and leave behind scratches. At the end of the wash, the walls are rinsed with water, the remaining detergent is removed.

Panel care features

We also recommend watching the video, which discusses the technology of finishing with PVC panels in the bathroom.

To date, polyvinyl chloride has managed to establish itself as a reliable and high-quality material that deserves to be used in various repair and construction areas. This is confirmed by the use of PVC panels not only for the exterior, but also for the interior decoration of premises, which, as you know, implies a much more stringent selection of suitable material. Image - How to make repairs with plastic panels with your own hands

Bathtub design finished with plastic panels

In such cases, colossal attention is paid not only to the technical characteristics of the raw materials used, but also to its aesthetic features. From this point of view, plastic panels turn out to be a suitable option for various purposes. Among other things, PVC paneling of the bathroom is gaining popularity.

Contents of step-by-step instructions:

Plastic wall panels

Plastic lining for wall surface finishing in the bathroom is considered the most optimal solution for a number of reasons. The material has a wide range of possibilities and a long list of advantages.

PVC wall panels for bathroom (ceiling decoration)

Despite many misconceptions that PVC panels can be easily used for any surface, practice shows that this is not true. For a competent finish, in any case, preliminary preparation is required. Moreover, we are talking not only about the removal of old wallpaper and worn out plaster, but also about the installation of the lathing. Otherwise, the surface of the panels will be wavy.
Decorating with plastic panels cannot be carried out by an absolutely ignorant craftsman. It is necessary that a person has at least basic skills in working with plastic panels, or at least studied in detail the peculiarities of using PVC.

In order for the repair of the bathroom to do without unpleasant surprises, you must immediately stock up on the necessary set of suitable tools and accessories, which include:

moldings;
lathing;
self-tapping screws (alternative - glue);
ruler and level;
drill;
screwdriver;
pencil;
roulette;
square;
hacksaw;
nails (dowel-nails);
joint protection sealant.

Installation diagram of PVC plastic panels

In order to completely change the appearance of the bathroom and make the room comfortable and functional, you need to make quite a lot of efforts, but they will all be rewarded with a long service life of PVC panels and pleasant emotions obtained from being in the room.

Usually, craftsmen are invited to decorate the surface of the walls with plastic clapboard, but the ease of installation makes it possible to try your hand and make repairs yourself.

The first step is to choose the fastening method. There are two main options - glue and self-tapping screws. The disadvantages of the "glue" method are that if it is necessary to "tear" the panels from the walls, it will be extremely difficult to implement the idea, but the installation will be quick and hassle-free.

Self-tapping screws eliminate the difficulty of dismantling, however, installing them will require drilling a large number of holes in the wall. This is reflected in the amount of time spent on repairs. In this case, you need to make a decision based on your own personal considerations.

The lathing is fixed to the wall perpendicular to the direction of the panels with a pitch of 30-60 cm. The mounting plate is fastened to the wall with a self-tapping screw into the recessed (groove) part of the profile

Stage 1. In the event that the choice has settled on the frame method, you must first take care of creating a special metal structure. In order to make a frame from a metal profile, the first step is to mark the surface of the wall using a level and mark the upper and lower points.

Panels and fittings (corners, connecting) are installed on top of the finished lathing

Stage 2. The profiles that belong to the main frame are fixed perpendicular to the plastic panels. Further actions depend on how the PVC panels will be attached. If the elements are arranged vertically, then the next step will be the direct installation of the plastic lining. The horizontal arrangement, on the other hand, requires additional effort, since it is necessary to make jumpers in the metal frame. For this mounting method, among other things, additional profiles will have to be made to secure the inner corner.

The fastening clip snaps into the “groove” part of the profile, pressing the panel with the wide part of the clip.

Stage 3. In some cases, a decision is made to use the so-called combined technology, in which plastic panels are fixed both vertically and horizontally. In this case, the vertical panels must be fastened to the horizontal frame, and the rest of the elements - by means of a lintel. This is especially true for the seam line.

The following panels are inserted into the groove of the previous one and snapped into place with the fastening clip in the same way.

Stage 4. At this stage, you can proceed directly to finishing the wall with purchased panels. First, using a level, we fix the ceiling plinth and the inner corner, and then we measure the desired height of the lining (based on the distance between the upper and lower points), cut off the remnants and insert the panel into the inner corner. It is important that the upper part of the part fits into the skirting board.

PVC panels - trim strips (moldings)

Stage 5. We fix the panel to the frame by using self-tapping screws. They are screwed in from the side of the wide mounting shelf.

Stage 6. We prepare a new panel, we fix it by inserting a narrow shelf of the element into the groove of the previous one until there is no joint, fix it by analogy with the previous step.

Installation of PVC panels on the ceiling

Step 7. The last panel must be cut in such a way that the size of the part matches the size of the resulting gap. The width of the panel should be about 1 centimeter less than the distance from the last plastic lining to the inner corner. We insert the PVC panel so that it is securely fixed between the finishing element and the previous panel.

Installation of panels on crate

For gluing PVC panels, liquid nails are most often used. However, this option is relevant only if the wall surface does not differ in numerous defects and irregularities.

Glue Express Moment Installation Liquid Nails

Step 1.We prepare the wall before finishing - we remove old plaster, paint, wallpaper and other residual materials from the surface.

Step 2. After that we prime the wall with a special adhesive primer.

Step 3. We use the technology described for the frame method, but instead of self-tapping screws, we use liquid nails to fix the elements.

The adhesive is applied horizontally in strips.

If you carry out the work with due attention, then there should be no problems during operation. Plastic panels are an excellent opportunity to quickly and effectively transform the aesthetic and functional parameters of the bathroom, make it high-tech, comfortable and pleasant. PVC panels are also used for finishing loggias and balconies. The finishing technology of these premises is actually no different from the basic installation algorithm presented above.

Also read about DIY installation of PVC windows.