Installation

Our Reco joining system is a unique, patented installation method that gives the panels a seamless waterproof join. First apply our high tack adhesive ‘Reco Seal Tape’ to the wall and then apply HG adhesive to the back of the panel and place the panel onto the wall and over half the tape. Thereafter, you apply a 3mm bead of silicone down the side of the panel and onto the tape. Proceed to butt the joining panel up to it, leaving a small gap of about 2mm. Then using a wet finger or silicone tool, clean the join leaving a small amount of silicone sitting at the bottom of the join.

We have tested a host of joining systems in the past but our engineers unanimously agree that none of them do a better job than standard silicone. For our panels you can either fit them to the wall before you install the shower tray or bath, or you can fill the gap between the tray/bath and the wall with silicone before bedding the bottom edge of the panel down into it. Once you have fitted all of the panels, silicone the front of the join between the panel and the bath/tray and then weight the shower tray down using a heavy tool box and or fill the bath with water to weight it down. This means that the silicone will set at the maximum stretch point and reduce the potential of splitting and leaks.

The panels are easy to cut. The Reco Tile acrylic panels can be cut using a Stanley knife or fine toothed saw and a metal straight edge. For Reco Design, Reco Protect, Reco Glass, Reco Gloss, and Reco Tile PVC we recommend you cut them face up using a fine toothed Jigsaw with a down-cutting blade. Holes for pipework can also be easily cut using a standard hole cutter. Track saws can also be used for cutting long lengths.

The panels come with a rounded edge which means most of the time you do not need an edge trim. If you purchase a ‘Reco backing Strip’ (2495 x 50mm), then you can fold it into a right angle and fit it onto the edge of the external corner (making sure its plumb level). Then you can butt the rounded edges of the panel up to each other to give the perfect finish without the need for a trim. You can then put the cut edge of the panel into the internal corner. The only time you might need an edge trim is when you are boxing in pipework or if you are cladding the internal sides of a window. The exposed cut edge can then be covered with one of our ‘Reco Edge Trims’ or you can use traditional tile trims (of no more than 5mm internal height).

You do not have to use ‘Reco Backing Strips’ but we do recommend them. A backing strip is a PVC strip of plastic (2495 x 50mm) that you fold into a right angle and then fit into the corner of the room with the HG Adhesive on the back. Then use your spirit level to ensure that it’s plumb. Once the backing strip has set you can then fit the panels over the top of it. The backing strip means that you do not have to trim the panels to fit the wall and once the first panel is on the wall plumb then it’s easy to panel around the rest of the room. The backing strip is also an extra protection in the corners to ensure there are no leaks.

As the panels can be joined at any tile divide there is little wastage. We recommend you allow around 10% to be safe.