PVC Wall Panels Installation 

Whether you are updating your kitchen work surface with a new splashback, or are looking to renovate a whole wet room with bathroom wall tiles, PVC wall panels are the go-to material for affordable home DIY projects. 
 
A major perk of choosing PVC wall tiles is how easy they are to work with and install - and we’ve made that process even easier by simplifying all you need to know into this handy guide. 
 
First and foremost, here are the tools you’ll need to panel an interior wall:
 

• Pen and paper


• Tape measure


• Spirit level 


• Masking tape 


• Solvent-free adhesive 


• Stanley knife or hacksaw 

As with any DIY project, you need to ensure that you have measured the space correctly before purchasing the materials and beginning to fit your new tile effect wall panels:
 

• Start by measuring the height and width of the space you intend to tile. For a kitchen splashback, you may only be installing a small strip of PVC panels, while shower wall panels typically stretch from floor to ceiling. 


• You can easily work out how many PVC wall panels you need for a splashback by dividing the width of the space by the width of an individual panel. For example, say your wall measured 2000 mm across, and each tile is 200 mm wide, you will need exactly 10 PVC wall panels to reach across the wall (2000/200 = 10). 


• If you are panelling an entire bathroom or interior wall, you will need to repeat this step for the height and work out the total number of tiles needed to cover the space. 


• For the best finish, we recommend purchasing additional PVC profile edges and corners to ensure that the sides and corners of your PVC wall panels remain neat. 


• Most spaces will not fit an exact number of PVC wall tiles, but do not worry. These wall panels are easy to cut to size using a Stanley knife or hacksaw. 

Now, there are three different types of PVC wall panels widely available, and each has its own slightly different installation process. 

 

PVC Splashback Tiles

Installing PVC splashbacks is the most straightforward process as it does not involve the meeting of any joints or grooves - you simply glue the panels into place.
 

• Begin by securing a PVC corner strip to the leftmost edge of the wall you are panelling. These strips can be easily cut to size with a Stanley knife or hacksaw. 


• Next, simply adhere each panel to the wall, making sure that you line them up accurately, using a spirit level if needed. 


• For the most secure fit, we recommend running a border of adhesive around the reverse side of the PVC panel and then placing several dots of glue in the middle too. 


• You can use masking tape to help keep the PVC wall tiles in place while they dry (for at least 24 hours). Run a long piece of tape along the seams, where the panels join, to ensure that they stay aligned. 


• Repeat this process and, when finished, simply secure a second profile edge strip to the rightmost end of your splashback. 


• If your splashback meets at a corner, make sure to purchase and use a PVC corner strip. You can simply glue this into place and then slide the PVC wall tiles into the open edge.  

Interlocking PVC Wall Tiles

Unlike a typical splashback, interlocking panels do not feature a seam between each tile as they ‘snap’ together. This is a feature of the Piano Steps and Ledge Stone PVC wall panels. 

• The process starts the same: secure your first profile edge strip on the wall with the adhesive. 


• Next, you can begin glueing the interlocking PVC wall tiles in place, following the same pattern as mentioned previously. 


• Remember to clip the different panels together by simply pushing the interlocking sections in. Masking tape can be used to keep these secure while the adhesive dries. 

Tongue and Groove PVC Wall Tiles

The tongue and groove joining method is the most complex of the three as it requires you to ensure that the opposing ends of your PVC wall tiles match up properly. 
 

• Follow the same process as previously but ensure that your PVC wall panels are oriented correctly so that a ‘tongue’ meets with the ‘groove’ in the adjacent tile. The pieces slot together easily and can be joined before glueing. 


• This join can be made more secure by drilling screws along the area in which the two PVC wall tiles meet. For a clean finish, measure the length of any screws to ensure that they will not pierce through to the other side of the PVC panel. 

Cut-Outs

You will likely need to create cut-outs within the PVC wall tiles to allow for plug sockets, light switches, and other items that protrude from the surface of the wall. 
 

• Begin by measuring the position of the socket or switch on the wall. 


• Match this with your PVC wall panel and mark an outline where the socket will be. 


• Using a Stanley knife simply cut along your guide and remove the excess PVC.


• Make sure to add some extra adhesive around the edge of the cut-out to avoid warping, and then stick your newly amended PVC panel to the wall. 

 

What is the Best Adhesive for PVC Wall Panels?

There is a wide range of PVC and plastic adhesives available for home use. When securing PVC wall panels and tiles, it is vital that you opt for a solvent-free adhesive as the use of solvents could discolour and damage the surface of the plastic. In spaces such as bathrooms and kitchens, you should also make sure to choose a waterproof solvent.
 
Simson ISR 70-30 is the industry standard adhesive for PVC panels and can be used on a range of different surfaces and materials, including aluminium, stainless steel, glass, and lacquered wood. You can purchase Simson ISR 70-30 adhesive directly from our website here. 
 
Alternately, you can pick up a solvent-free PVC adhesive for most DIY stores. Some of the top brands include the Top Gun Panel and Coving Adhesive and Bostik White Panelling glue. PVC adhesives are available in both white and clear forms.