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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS, For PVC Cladding Ranges
For multiPANEL and tilePANEL See Respective Categories
How water proof is it?
Decos panelling is 100% water proof provide it is installed correctly. The panels clip into each other tightly allowing no water through creating a seamless watertight join. In the 9 years we have been selling this product we have never had any come backs with customers saying they have had leaks.
What is the difference between Spabord and Decos ?
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?, click here
Do you have a showroom near me?
YES, Our New Showroom has just opened in Andover, Hampshire, SP10 5NX. Everyone is most welcome to come and visit for Free samples, Information Packs and to chat about your requirements. If you live too far away to visit us then Samples and Information Packs can be ordered before you buy.
If you would like to become an Installer or display our products in your own showroom please contact me for information.
Can the panels be used in a shower?
Yes. They are ideal for use as shower wall panels. They can be fitted inside an existing shower cubicle or around the shower area of a bath (if you are using a shower over a bath) . If the existing tiles are still secure the panels can be fitted over them. Before fitting over tiles in a shower, you should ensure that there is enough "play" to allow fixtures such as an existing shower mixer valve to be moved to allow for the extra thickness of the panel
(panels are 10mm thick).
Is decos wall panelling cheaper than tiles?
It depends. Decos wall panelling is designed to be better than tiles, not cheaper than tiles. Walls need to be thoroughly prepared to take ceramic tiles, and this can be a quite significant cost on top of the installation and purchase costs. Waterproof wall panelling is much more forgiving and will go up over a variety of substrates without any preparation. It is also relatively easy to install so the average DIYer will be able to install wall panelling themselves.
How do the panels fit together?
The panels easily push together to make a seamless water-proof join. Similar to tongue&Groove only without the groove.
Can the panelling be installed over existing tiles?
Yes. Providing the existing tiles are securely fixed and the extra thickness of the decos wall panelling does not interfere with the operation of existing fixtures such as bath taps, shower mixer valves, doors and architraves. Some older bathrooms have walls that are half tiled, and have been stuck on using cement. These ceramic bathroom tiles are very difficult to remove, so providing the extra thickness is not a problem, the top half of the room can be battened out level with the tiles, and the wall panelling can be stuck to the tiles and stapled to the battens.
Will decos panelling help with condensation?
Yes, in as much as condensation will not form on bathroom cladding as it is warm to the touch. It will not stop condensation - the only way to eliminate condensation is to extract it, either by use of an extractor fan or using a dehumidifier, and bathroom cladding will help this process. If you have a condensation problem it can be worth hiring a dehumidifier for a few weeks to see how much moisture it extracts from the air in your property.
Should I panel all of my bathroom or just around the bath or shower?
Decos panels offer several benefits - easy to clean, no grout to grow mould, no maintenance etc. The more cladding you install, the greater the benefit will be. If you only panel 20% of the room, you will only get 20% of the benefit!
Can Decos Panelling be used on ceilings?
Yes. All of our decos cladding can be used on ceilings, although some designs look better than others.
What items will I need to fit the white gloss ceiling panels in my bathroom? will they also fix to artex? How do I fit the recessed lights, before or after installation of the panels? Thanks in advance!
You can simply use our 'Silicone Adhesive' and a staple gun to fix the panels direct to your ceiling. Apply the sealant to the back of the panel and press onto the ceiling, you can then staple through the tongue side of the panel. When you do the same with the next panel the first staples will be hidden. You can also use the coving trim to help hold the panels in place until the sealant has had chance to set.
To fit the lights, use a holesaw and cut through the panels once they are in place and then fit the lights in the normal manner, only use domestic lights upto 60w.
Hope this helps, please let me know if you need any further help
Should I fit the bathroom suite or the panelling first?
A bit of both. For a complete refurbishment the best installation order is:
1.Install the bath
2.Install the panelling
3.Install the basin&toilet
Remove the existing suite, install the bath in accordance with the manufacturers instructions to ensure it is totally rigid (there needs to be zero movement when you stand in the bath). Completely seal the bath to the wall(s) so that no water can get down the joint, using silicone sealant. Next fit the waterproof wall panelling, and apply a second bead of silicone along the joint between the panelling and the bath. Continue fitting the panelling around the rest of the walls. Then fit the wash hand basin and toilet.
If you are using built in bathroom furniture, fit this before the panelling.
If using wall hung basins or wall hung toilets special procedures have to be followed. contact us for more details.
Could you please advise me of the special procedures that have to be followed if installing the panelling with wall hung basins or toilets.
Drill holes through the panels and into the wall in the normal fashion.
When inserting the Wallplugs make sure that they go right through the paneling and into the wall. You may need to use slightly longer screws to allow for the thickness of the panels, which is 10mm.
When tightening the screws, do not over tighten them at the end as this could crush the panels and/or pull them in.
Should I fit the shower tray or the panelling first?
The shower tray. Install the shower tray in accordance with the manufacturers instructions to ensure it is totally rigid (there needs to be zero movement when you stand on the tray). Completely seal the tray to the wall(s) so that no water can get down the joint, using silicone sealant. Next fit the decos wall panelling, and apply a second bead of silicone along the joint between the panelling and the shower tray. If you are fitting the shower cubicle on top of the decos panelling make sure that there is enough adjustment in the frames to allow for the extra thickness of the panels. You can also buy the 'Cladseal' shower tray drip trim.
Can Decos wall panelling be used in kitchens?
Yes. The easy clean nature of waterproof wall panelling makes it ideal for use in kitchens. Care has to be taken when installing the panels near sources of direct heat such as open hobs. Ceramic tiles or a stainless steel panel should be used in this area or anywhere where the temperature rises above 50deg C.
How would I be able to change/replace the panelling in the future, if it is stuck to my existing tiles or walls?
Decos panelling should be stuck to the tiles/walls using silicone sealant rather than panel adhesive which will make the panels easier to remove.
What needs to be done to ensure shower walls remain waterproof when the shower fixings are fitted through holes in the panels, or when fittings are screwed onto the shower walls after the panels have been fitted?
Any holes that need to be made through the panels should be sealed with a bathroom quality silicone sealant such as our 'multi-purpose sealant', in exactly the same way that you would for ceramic wall tiles. Obviously the smaller the holes you make the better, so items that require larger holes, like shower valves, it is worth seeing if they can be fitted on top of the panels rather than the panels being cut around them but this will depend on the shower valve design and the design of the pipework supplying it.
When fixing any item through panelling you should make sure not to over tighten as this may crush or indent the panels
Can the panels be fitted behind a radiator?
Yes they can. The only stipulation from the manufacturers is that the surface of the wall panel does not exceed 60deg C.
In practice we have had no reports whatsoever of any problems associated with this type of installation.
Can the panels be used in a shower in a motor home?
Yes our wall panels can be used in this situation, but you must ensure that the panels are sealed effectively against the shower tray in case there is any movement.
What do I use to cut the panels?
Our panelling is best cut with a hand saw - the finer the teeth, the neater the cut you will achieve. A hacksaw and Stanley knife can also be used. Although UPVC is quite soft, it will become more brittle if it is kept cold. Make sure the panels are at room temperature to avoid chipping.
Why should I use your recommended sealant adhesive?
Because its tried and tested and we know it works. It is very important that you use the correct sealant adhesive, you need to be using a 'neutral curing' sealant or adhesive. Neutral curing means that it contains no solvent, solvent based sealant adhesives are not recommended for use on plastics. You can buy or use your own if you wish, but at your own risk.
Do I have to use the internal/external corner trim?
No, they are optional, when it comes to internal corners you have three options:
1. Use the internal/external corner trim
2. Slit the back of the panel using a Stanley knife (make sure not go through the front skin) and fold the panel into the corner. You will need to make the slit in the correct position and allow for walls which may be out-of-line. This is the most difficult but the most effective. (see below)
3. Cut through both front and back skins using a saw and then seal the corner using a bathroom grade silicone.
External corners are very difficult to fold around, but it can be done if you slit more of the back out. So normally the internal/external corner trim would be used here.
Question From Mr Chris Curtis:
Q. I am looking to order a couple of packs of Sumatra panels. However I have just got a couple of questions:
1. For the internal corner of the shower, what is the difference between trims 111 and 102?
2. When ordering sealant, do we need to order extra sealant for the clad-seal system or does it come supplied?
3. I assume the finishing trim will fit along the top edges of the panels as well as the vertical edges (ie. around the top of the shower)?
Thanking you in anticipation,
Chris Curtis
A. Hi Chris, In answer to your questions:
1. The difference between to two corner trims, 111 + 102 is that the 102 can be pulled apart into two sections to make fitting the panels into a corner much more easier, for example you would pull the two sections from one another, fix the internal section to the wall, either with sealant or a fixing of your choice, then fit the panels into position and then push the second section of the corner trim into the corner (as they clip into each other) thus making the panels easier to fit into a corner. Secondly the 102 corner trim can be used either for internal and/or external corner, where as the 111 is only for internal corners.
2. Yes, you need to order extra sealant for the Cladseal, 1.5 tubes per length (1.9m)
3. Yes, the finishing trim can be used either as a vertical edge or top and bottom.
Question From Mr Bharat Pathak
Q. How are the panels fixed to the wall. Do you need to screw them to the wall or glue them. If glue, is there a recommended glue?
A. It depends on your wall type, if its plaster then it can be both stuck and/or fixed using our 'Fixall' adhesive and it can also be stapled on the female side. If you are fixing onto battens then it will be fixed though the female side of the panel only. It can also be stuck using our sealant adhesive directly onto existing tiles.
Question From Mr Geoff Green
Q. I am ready to stick the panelling to the wall. What method do you recommend? Beads of adhesive vertical or horizontal? How far apart? Some other method like spots/patches of adhesive? I look forward to receiving your advice.
Thanks, Geoff Green
A. Putting the sealant adhesive on is your own personnel choice, however in my experience I like to make a wiggly snake like bead down the back of the panel from top to bottom, but spots are also good. When you put the panel on the wall for the first time, try to move it a little to help the sealant grab hold, hold the panel for around 10 seconds and let go, the sealant will stay in place, but can still be moved if needed for about half an hour.
You can also staple the panels too, this helps the joins to be tighter together and holds the panel in-place until the sealant has cured. On one side of the panel, you have a thin strip (female side), this is where to staple. When the next panel goes in, it will hide that staple, so you don't see them.
Question From Mr Richard Smith
Q. Hi can you please tell me how you place these panels around window sills?
Thanks Rich
A. You will require the 'universal corner trim' for this. The trim itself pull apart and then clips back together again for ease of fitting. What you will need to do is pull the trim apart and fix the internal piece into position and then fit the panelling, once this is done you can then clip/push the second piece or external part of the trim onto the first part to finish it off.
Corner Bath Panel ?
Q. You mention on your web site the possiblity of making a corner bath panel from your material, and to contact you for details. What is involved please?
Message Sent by: Rick Wiggans
A. Normally you are able to use the off-cuts of the top of each panel as the panels are either 2.6m or 2.7m in length or height (in some cases 5m or 6m depending on design and range) some room heights are only 2.2m, so giving you an off-cut from each panel of 0.4 or 0.5m. These can then be used to box in or put around your bath.
You will need to work out if the off-cuts will be long enough and that you will have enough of them. Also a wooded frame may be needed to support the panels so that they do not bend or flex to much if weight is pressed against them. I would recommend that the panels be supported using battens running horizontally and spaced every 200mm.
Hope this helps, Jamie
How do I measure to see how many packs I will need?
Each pack will cover a width of 1 meter and are either 2.6m, 2.7m, 4.5m or 6.0m high. So measure the width of each wall in meters (allow for windows and doors), the total amount of meters will give the total amount of packs needed. ie, 5m = 5 packs. You may need to round up, i.e 2.7m = 3 packs or in some cases you may be able to get two lengths out of one board i.e only doing half the wall or by buying a longer panel such as 4.5m or 6.0m.
What is the thickness of the panels?
The panels are 10mm thick
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