How To Fit Bathroom Wall Panels and Ceiling Panels

The video below is a detailed demonstration outlining the optimum method for fitting both wall and ceiling panels, but more specifically, bathroom cladding.  Throughout, you’ll be given helpful tips regarding how to clad around ceiling lights, as well as reassurance regarding heat damage.

This video guide is narrated with step by step instructions on how to fit bathroom wall cladding and wet room panels as well as how to clad around your bath, windows, and much more.

It’s followed by a text guide to assist you through your bathroom wall panels installation, just in case you can’t watch the video right now or want to read over the steps a few times before getting started! If you're wondering about how to install other wall panels too, we've covered this in a variety of other guides, such as our guide on installing slat wall panels, check out our other blogs too!

How to measure for bathroom wall panels

You can measure for wet wall panels in three easy steps:

1. Decide whether you want vertical or horizontal panels.
2. Measure the width/height of your wall. A good rule of thumb is to measure three times to ensure absolute accuracy.

3. Divide this by the width of a wall panel. This will give you the number of wall panels that you need.

Here’s your step-by-step guide to fitting wall and ceiling bathroom cladding.

What you’ll need:

• Wall Panels
• Ceiling Panels
• Measuring Tape
• Fine Toothed Saw/ Jigsaw
• Sandpaper
• Mitre Block
• Set Square
• Panel and Cladding Adhesive
• Mastic Gun
• Panel Screws
• Drill / Electric Screwdriver
• Trims
• Clad Seal Kit

• Skirting Board

Before you start

When installing wall and ceiling cladding, it’s crucial to ensure that the area you are installing them is first cleaned to remove any mould, grease or residue, as this will prevent the sealant from sticking properly. Remove any clutter or obstacles in the immediate area, and if the wall is plaster them wire brush the wall and remove any loose pieces.

How to fit PVC ceiling cladding

1. Measure your ceiling length as accurately as possible and transfer your measurement onto the panels with a straight pencil line before cutting to size. After cutting the panel, use sandpaper or a sanding pad on the cut edges to create a smooth finish, and to remove any debris or leftover bits.
   
   
2. Once your panel is cut, apply a generous amount of adhesive to the back face and secure into place on the ceiling with screws every 300mm along the tongue section of the panel
   These can easily be secured to a plasterboard or plastered ceiling without the need for drilling or wall plugs.
   
   
3. Repeat this procedure for each individual panel, locking each one into place with the tongue and groove edges.
   
   
4. If you have ceiling spotlights, simply measure their diameter and where they’re positioned on the ceiling before transferring the measurements to the relevant panel and cutting with a hole cutter.
   Our ceiling panels are fire rated at Class 1 so don’t worry about heat damage.

How to fit plastic coving

1. Before installing the wall panels, you will need to install the coving trim ready for the panels to fit into.
   
   
2. Measure the width of the wall and cut the coving trim to size with the mitre edges.
   
   
3. Hold the coving trim up to the ceiling on the wall so it is touching the ceiling and screw through the lip section of the trim.
   
   
4. Install the screws approximately every 300mm into the lip of the coving trim.

How to fit wet wall panels

1. Measure the height of your walls from the floor to the ceiling and cut your internal corner trim to size. Fix the internal corner trim in place using the panel screws of which you will use approximately 8 of.
   
   
2. Repeat this process for all internal corners.
   
   
3. Fix your end cap for the perfect profile.
   
   
4. Measure the surface areas of your walls, cut your panels to the appropriate length, and remove the protective film from your panels, if they have them.
   
   
5. Apply adhesive to the back side of a panel.
   If your walls are uneven then a good tip is to add extra adhesive to help even out discrepancies.
   
   
6. Slot the first panel into the endcap and screw to the wall.
   
   
7. Repeat this process across the full wall.
   Wall panels can be installed over existing ceramic tiles.

How to fit wall panels around a bath or shower

1. Clean the area you’ll be working with.
   
   
2. Measure the area from the edge of the bath to the internal corner of the wall on both the short and long sides.
   
   
3. Cut the clad seal strip to size and mitre.
   
   
4. Apply silicone sealant around the bath and to the bottom edge of the clad seal strip, creating a tight waterproof seal.
   
   
5. Press the two parts of the clad seal strip tightly against the wall and make sure that the two mitre edges fit together neatly before securing with screws.
   
   
6. Seal the end caps to the edge of the strips, closing them off for a professional finish.
   
   
7. Cut the wall panels to size and install with the tongue and groove system.

How to fit panels around a window

1. Slide a panel into place overhanging the window area and mark the back of the panel with a pencil where it covers the window gap.
   
   
2. Score the pencil lines and remove by hand for smooth edges.
   
   
3. Fit the cut panel to the wall.
   
   
4. For the interior profile of the window, measure the width and depth of the sill and cut a panel to size.
   
   
5. Clip an end cap onto the panel for a flush fit, apply adhesive to the reverse side of the panel, and slot into place.
   
   
6. Repeat the process for the two interior walls and the top surface of the window cavity, fitting the top panel first so that it can be held in place by the side panels.
   
   
7. For a professional finish attach external angles which are available in a number of colours to suit your room.

How to fit bath base panels

1. Fix a wooden baton to the floor as a backing for your panels.
   
   
2. Measure, cut and fix your panels to the wooden base.
   Use off cuts if you can to minimise waste
   
   
3. For the corner, measure where the edge will be, score the panel, and bend into shape.
   Please note an external angle can be used as an alternative

How to fit skirting boards

1. Using your wall measurements, cut your skirting board to size and mitre.
   
   
2. Apply adhesive to the back surface and push firmly into position.

Finishing touches

When you have installed your panels and each one is securely in place, you will need to add sealant to the base of the panel if you are placing them in a wet environment. This will ensure full waterproofing. Some trims will feature a finishing cap or cover that clicks into position, so this may be enough to finish the job. Sealant is both practical and a great final touch, leaving your project with a professional finish.

Can I fit wall panels to uneven walls?

The older your home is, the more likely it is that your walls won’t be even. Fitting wall panels directly onto uneven walls will affect the quality of the panel joints and could result in the adhesive not making sufficient contact when the panels are installed.

If your wall is slightly uneven, you should be able to install wall panels without any worry. You could always level the surface by replastering, but this will add to the time and cost of completing the job. If your wall surface is very uneven, you may need to consider having a batten frame built over the wall to create a level surface for your panelling.