Hi all,
I have just tiled my bathroom with glazed ceramic tiles and have now grouted using Unibond powder mix, waterproof anti mould grout. I am now getting conflicting views on if I need to seal the grout or not?

I am also looking at building a tiled bath panel. From what I can see aquapanel boards, Hardibacker etc don't come in big enough sheets to do it in one go. How is best to join the two as I was concerned that a couple of battens across the back would not hold them solid enough to avoid movement, and cracking in the boards. Also, Is exterior ply really that bad as I can't see the panel getting that wet, if at all?

Any help much appreciated
STEVES-HOME

Hi mate you dont need to seal the grout. Build a sturdy frame for your bath pannel and use exterior grade 12 or 18 mm ply as long as you make the frame work sound you will be ok then tile using flexi adhesive, would probably fill the bath with water then atach pannel silicone aroud edges, Cheers Mick.

Sealing the grout is just an extra safeguard. If the shower (assuming there is a shower) isn't used too much, i wouldn't bother, but if it gets heavy use, then i'd seal em as you will get water ingress.

you can use plasterboard

Plasterboard would be a lot easier, not to mention a lot cheeper, but will it stand up to being screwed in and out a few times if the panel needs to be taken off to get to the bath pipework at any time?

I wouldn't use plasterboard for a bath panel, unless you're going to seal the whole thing in and make it waterproof..which kind of defeats the object of making it removeable.
Definately PLY or similar... as an alternative you could (once framed) get a piece of the UPVC used for ceilings and walls, they come in 6m T&G lengths.. cut them down and place them vertically along the bath....

Theres water-resistant and theres water absorbing lol. Although bath panels dont get a lot of soaking its not wise to use plasterboard this wil soak up and disintegrate.

MY bath is 9mm ply with tongue and grove cladding on it then varnished


As far as sealing grout , some grout should never be sealed such as Bal with microban, as the microban is a living organism and requires the exposure to air to work.

or use 6 0r 9mm hardiebacker instaed of ply,would probably be about the same price as a sheet of ply