Fermacell PowerPanel: a range of products for creating your own bathroom

FERMACELL offers a complete system for fitting out wet rooms from floor to ceiling

The plaque FERMACELL Powerpanel H2O is a "sandwich" plate, where a layer of lightweight aggregates bound with cement is reinforced on both sides by an alkali-resistant fiberglass mesh, itself covered by a thin layer of cement. Several formats are available and their smooth surface accepts a multitude of finishes.
FERMACELL Powerpanel TE floor boards are made by assembling two FERMACELL Powerpanel H2O boards on top of each other, with a peripheral bead.
FERMACELL Powerpanel H2O boards are designed for partitions, linings and ceilings in wet areas, while FERMACELL Powerpanel sol TE boards are designed for floors and allow for a dry screed. Finally, FERMACELL Powerpanel sol TE walk-in shower tiles assembled with FERMACELL Powerpanel sol TE boards and completed with floor drains with vertical or horizontal drainage, also offered by FERMACELL, guarantee perfect watertightness. They are just waiting to be tiled.
FERMACELL Powerpanel H2O and FERMACELL Powerpanel sol TE boards do not require full-surface waterproofing before laying the tile covering. This saves both time and money and also avoids any risk of infiltration that could be linked to poorly controlled implementation of this type of waterproofing.

• The FERMACELL Powerpanel H2O board is impact-resistant (HD classification), water-repellent and fireproof (A1 classification). It has European Technical Approval and is also covered by a CSTB Technical Assessment.
• The FERMACELL Powerpanel TE floor board is designed for damp rooms classified P3 E3 or higher. Fireproof (classified A1), it is compatible with various electric or water-based underfloor heating systems.
• The Powerpanel sol TE walk-in shower tile consists of an assembly of panels with four preformed slopes. Its load-bearing and water-resistant properties are identical to those of FERMACELL Powerpanel sol TE panels.

 

Starting the walk-in shower

  Before starting the installation of the walk-in shower in the bathroom, some preparation work is necessary.

For the project proposed below, you need to plan for a surface area of approximately 16 m² (4 x 4 m) and a ceiling height of at least 2 m. Determine the location on the floor of the shower tray (1,2 x 1,2 m or 1 m x 1 m as desired). Depending on the condition of the floor, you will need to either level it (with FERMACELL mortar or leveling granules) or dig to connect the siphon and horizontal drain to the pipe.
Also prepare the rails and uprights needed to assemble the partition.
All the plates (floor, partition) are cut using a saw, ideally a circular saw.

Step by step

1. To even out uneven levels, or to bury the pipes needed for drainage, level the floor using FERMACELL granules or leveling mortar.
2. Lay the Powerpanel TE flooring panels on the leveling compound (floating installation) by assembling them together by screwing and gluing the panel edges. Remember to offset the panel joints.
3. Secure the rails to the floor and assemble the frame using the uprights and top rails at the top of the wall. Screw the Powerpanel H2O boards to the uprights using FERMACELL Powerpanel self-drilling screws.
4. Create the glue joint by applying a bead of glue to the edge of the boards as they are installed. Dried and excess glue can be removed the day after installation using a spatula or the FERMACELL glue knife.
5. Trim the excess resilient strips flush with the dry screed made of FERMACELL Powerpanel sol TE boards. The resilient strips will ensure the screed is separated from the partition.
6. Then, before laying the tiles, treat the partition/screed corners, as well as the junctions between the shower slab and the screed, using bridging strips and the waterproofing provided in the FERMACELL waterproofing kit.

The finishes

Once the shower is complete, it's time to move on to the finishing touches. FERMACELL Powerpanel H2O boards have a smooth surface and can be directly covered with paint, plaster, or tiles, providing a quick and highly aesthetic finish, as demonstrated in the step-by-step installation of this walk-in shower!
The solution chosen here is the installation of chocolate-toned tiles and white mosaic on the shower partition forming a "screen"; on the floor, ecru tile slabs. These materials will bring a contemporary touch to the bathroom decor. Although the most common finish applied to Fermacell Powerpanel H2O and Powerpanel sol TE boards is the installation of tiles (stoneware, earthenware, natural stone or terracotta), it is also possible, thanks to their very smooth surface appearance, to directly apply paint, coating, PVC or linoleum, suitable for humid environments.

FERMACELL material required

(here for the assembly presented)

- 25 FERMACELL Powerpanel floor TE plates measuring: l. 500 x L. 1 x th. 250mm (25x2cm)
- 10 Powerpanel H2O FERMACELL plates measuring: l. 1000 x L.1 200 x th.12,5 mm
- 1 FERMACELL Powerpanel TE walk-in shower tile in 1 mm x 200 mm format
- 6 bags of leveling granules
- 1 sealing kit
- 1 drain/siphon with horizontal evacuation
- 1 box of resilient strips (height 50 mm)
- 2 cartridges of FERMACELL joint adhesive 
- 2 bottles of FERMACELL glue
- 1 bag of FERMACELL Powerpanel joint filler
- 1 box of screws for FERMACELL Powerpanel H2O boards
- 1 box of screws for FERMACELL Powerpanel Sol TE floor plates
Not forgetting the framework (metal rails and uprights types R48 and M48/50) and the tiling!

Cost price of the shower (excluding finishing and tools): 
- FERMACELL Powerpanel Sol TE plates: €740 incl. VAT 
- FERMACELL Powerpanel H2O plates: €470 incl. VAT
- FERMACELL Powerpanel Sol TE walk-in shower tile: €230 incl. VAT
- Accessories: €360 incl. VAT
This represents a cost price of approximately €1 including tax observed at FERMACELL partner retailers.