How to Install Bathroom Cladding

If you have purchased cladding for a new bathroom then you’ll want it installed swiftly. Did you know, you can fit bathroom cladding by yourself? This is something that we make easy with our advanced tongue and groove technology, which is ideal for the at-home DIY-er. However, if you've never had to fit your own bathroom cladding, then you probably feel a little overwhelmed no matter how many reassurances we offer. 

Here at Bath Clad, we are one of the country's leading manufacturers of cladding. We offer customers the high-quality standard, luxury and imitation tile cladding. We want to transform bathroom renovations and make tiles a thing of the past. All our cladding is made with our advanced tongue and groove technology and are completely waterproof, the ideal choice for any bathroom.

To offer some assistance, here are some pointers on how to easily fit bathroom cladding in your home. 

What Do You Need?

Installing cladding couldn't be easier, even a beginner DIYer could make it happen. You don’t need the help of an expensive tradesman, which helps to save money on your bathroom design. But, even though we have full faith in your skills, we know that there are a few things that you need to make it easier, like having the right tools for example. The right tools can make the whole installation smoother and faster.

You want to make sure that you have, in your possession, a tape measure. This is a key tool that is often overlooked but knowing how much and where you need it is the first rule of cladding installation. After you have your tape measure you need to make sure you had a sharp and probably working saw. This is the best tool for cutting your bathroom cladding down to size, particularly useful for oddly shaped bathrooms. 

You’ll also need a screwdriver or drill with the appropriate drill bit and screws. While you won't need to screw your bathroom cladding together, you will need to fix it to the wall behind, so a high-quality screwdriver drill is important. Some trim and wooden battens are also important for a smooth finish. Finally, having some grab adhesive or sealant can help to fill in any cracks that you might have.

How to Fit Bathroom Cladding

Step One: Ensure you’ve Measured your Bathroom Properly

There is nothing more vital in the process than measuring your bathroom. Making sure that you know how much cladding you need and the size of each piece needs to be to properly fit inside your bathroom is key. The last thing that you want is to end up with something slightly short or too long. Measuring is particularly important if you’re going to pair two or more different types of panelling. 

Step Two: Fit the End Caps

Once you’ve made sure that you have properly measured up your space and planned out the cladding, the next step is making sure that your walls are ready. The next step is to make sure that you install the fitting end caps and the top and the bottom of the wall. This will make sure that you have some leeway with the cutting and the edges. The fitting end caps take some of the pressure off, so you can rest assured that your cuts don’t have to be perfect, ideal for those installing bathroom cladding for the first time.

Step Three: Apply the First Panel

You’ll want to cut the panels by keeping the angle of the saw as shallow as possible. This ensures the smoothest possible cut. A saw is certainly the ideal choice for this but if you don’t have one then you can use a utility knife. If you are using a utility knife, then you need to make sure that you use something with a square edge to keep the cut as straight as possible. Once the panel is cut down to the right size and trimmed, you can put it into place.

Take the cladding and apply some solvent free grab adhesive to the back of the panel. This allows you to fit the cladding to the wall, bend it into any trims or fittings if necessary. Make sure that you give the panel a firm pat to ensure that the adhesive is properly spread. If you’re not sure which adhesive to choose, then we can offer you some advice depending on which bathroom cladding you might choose. If you’re struggling with the adhesive, then you can use a few screws or staples to secure the lip of the panel in place.

Step Four: Fit the Rest of the Panels

Once the first panel has been fit, the rest will fall into place quite quickly. You can cut each panel to the same height as the first and use our advanced tongue and groove system to help interlock the two of them. We would recommend using a small amount of silicone sealant in the joint grooves to ensure the most watertight seal. Taking the time to make sure that each panel is even and level, allows for the next layer of panels to slip in quickly. 

Step Five: Fit the Final Panel

If installing the first panel seems a challenge, then no doubt, you’re not looking forward to the last one. You don’t want things to go wrong at the last possible moment but it’s far easier than you’re probably thinking. Measure and trim your final piece to the right size, making it easy to fit. You can glue your cladding in a similar manner to the others but it can feel a little harder. We would recommend using a wallpaper stripper or a similar tool to help ease the panel into place. Once you’ve firmly pressed it into place, you’ll find your new bathroom walls finished.

Any Additional Tips?

Of course, there are always a few additional tips that we can offer you.

Take Care When Fitting around any Sockets or Switches

If you’re going to fit your cladding around any sockets or switches, then you’re going to want to make sure that you mark the panel before you’ve measured and cut it. Remember to measure twice and cut once, which you can do with a Stanley knife or a multi-tool. You can easily cut space for your sockets and slot the panel around them. You might want to buy some longer socket screws to fit the face onto the wall without damaging the cladding.

Use Extra Sealant Around your Bath or Shower

Your bath or shower is the focal point of your room, so you don’t want to worry about causing water damage. This is why it’s important for you to use enough sealant around the bath or shower cubicle. We would recommend that you make sure you cut the panelling as close as possible to the pipeline. You can then fill in any gaps with sealant. This is important for maintaining the quality of your bathroom and ensuring that your bathroom will remain in a good condition for years to come.

If you’d like to find out more about how to fit your bathroom cladding or if you’d like to find out more about the broad range of cladding, then feel free to visit our website. Alternatively, you could give us a call on 01274 728031 to find out more about our products and services.