How to install VJ paneling in bathroom?

My partner and I are planning to use wet area VJ board for our bathroom/laundry reno. So far we are down to a stud wall with the walls straightened ready for sheeting.

Is any type of additional waterproofing system required where the panel meets floor tile? Also how do you finish the wall and floor tile junction? Is it just a piece of channel for the sheet to slide into or do you a small gap between the wall panel and floor tile? Or is it something else?

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JacobZ

Hi @Sheridan91,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community and thank you for your question about wet area VJ.

The manufacturer of your specific product should have an installation guide. If you are using the easycraft easyVJ100 Wet Area Wall Lining, then the installation guide can be found here - Easycraft - Product Fact Sheet.

You will note that this product cannot be used in direct wet areas such as showers or splashbacks, but it can line all other areas including ceilings within bathrooms and laundries.

Assuming all direct wet areas, such as baths, showers and splashbacks are sufficiently waterproofed, you won't need additional waterproofing behind your VJ although, for the greater longevity of your bathroom, it is worth considering. Have a read through NCC Part 10.2 Wet area waterproofing for some further information.

Easycraft recommends installing the wet area VJ with a 5-10mm gap above the flooring for expansion. You can then simply fill this gap with a suitable water-resistant silicone such as SikaSeal Kitchen And Bathroom Silicone Sealant or install a skirting board with the same silicone sealant to seal and conceal the gap.

Let me know If you have any further questions.

Jacob

Sheridan91

My partner and I are currently renovating our laundry into a combined bathroom and laundry. We are installing hardiegroove panelling ontop of aquacheck wall linings and are unsure on the best method to fix it without compromising the waterproofed membrane that we have used on the joints of the aquacheck. Nailing or screwing on the hardiegroove panelling where we have waterproofed our aquacheck joints would mean puncturing the waterproofing membrane. Would use stud adhesive or something similar be sufficient in these areas?

JacobZ

Hi @Sheridan91,

Thank you for your question about installing Hardie Groove Lining in your bathroom.

Unfortunately, there is no advisable method for installing Hardie Groove that will not penetrate a waterproofing membrane. The Hardie Groove Lining Installation Guide must be followed for it to be a warrantable installation. The method described in this guide will puncture a waterproofing membrane.

Is this in a direct wet area like a shower?

Can you upload a photo of where exactly you are looking to install the Hardie Groove?

It sounds like you've applied a waterproofing membrane over a plasterboard join as an additional measure. Is this correct?

If this is the case, then this membrane may not be necessary, and you'd be fine to screw through it.

If you can upload some photos and provide answers to my above questions, I'm happy to assist further.

Jacob

MitchellMc

Hi @Sheridan91,

I just wanted to check to see if you needed further assistance with your project.

Outside of a shower recess or direct wet-area like a splashback, there is only the need to have the joint between the floor and the Aquacheck waterproofed. The membrane or flashing only needs to come up the wall 25mm. Your Hardies VJ panel can then be installed on top.

For the lower edge fixings, they can connect it to the bottom plate above the 25mm waterproofing, therefore not compromising it by penetrating through it.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

matteo917

I would like to clarify the use of the easy craft wet area paneling behind a sink vanity.
the installation guide state that the panel can be used without any other additional waterproofing barrier such as stone/tile if the edge of the vanity basin is 750mm or more.
The plan for my renovation is to remove current vanity with a small splash back oven it and replace it with a new vanity cabinet and “wet area” paneling up to 1200 from the floor. Will I need to waterproof behind the splash back?
in other part of the bathroom now to close proximity of water (like where towel rail in pic)

can be use the non wet area rated panel?

JacobZ

Hi @matteo917,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

You've said that the "installation guide state that the panel can be used without any other additional waterproofing barrier such as stone/tile if the edge of the vanity basin is 750mm or more."

Can you please clarify what you mean by this and where you read it? I can't see a mention of something like this in the Easycraft - Product Fact Sheet.

Do you mean in the NCC (National Construction Code Part 10.2.5 Wet area waterproofing) where it says -

"Walls must be water resistant to a height of not less than 150 mm above the vessel, for the extent of the vessel, where the vessel is within 75 mm of a wall (see Figure 10.2.5)"

If the basin is not within 75mm of the wall, then you should be fine using the wet area panel because it is not technically a "direct wet area" like a shower is.

Regardless of the proximity to water, you should only use the wet area panels in your bathroom. This is because of the moisture that is present in a bathroom. The standard panels, being standard MDF, are not capable of living in such an environment and would likely swell and cause issues which would not be covered by any kind of manufacturer's warranty as they are being used outside of their parameters.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

matteo917

Should I waterproof the dry wall behind the VJ panel and then attached the vanity direct to the VJ? My understanding is that the pictured vanity has enough space from the wall to the edge of where the bowl of the sink start

JacobZ

Hi @matteo917,

It does seem like this recommendation has been made based on the National Construction Code, which sets out the minimum standards for waterproofing.

My interpretation is that the wall needs to be water resistant up to 150mm above the height of the tap, so yes, you would need to waterproof the drywall.

If the basin is closer than 75mm to the wall, then Easycraft will not allow its use. If it is further than 75mm from the wall, then yes, you can use it.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

matteo917

Jacob, thank you for your reply. Can you clarify what you mean with

the basin closer than 750mm from the wall. I mean, the basin will be attached to the wall. Are they referring to the distance from the wall to the start of the basin hollow?
TIA

JacobZ

Hi @matteo917,

They are referring to the distance from the wall to the edge of a vessel that holds water. In your case, the basin hollow is the vessel that is holding water.

The vanity, which is the cupboard that holds the basin, can be attached to the wall as long as the basin is 75mm from the wall.

Jacob

matteo917

Thank you Jacob, much appreciated your help. I’ll check the vanity to make sure measurements fits requirements

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