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Which Adhesive or Caulk Do Ella Acrylic Wall Panel Kits Require?

Updated October 2026

▶Glossary7
  1. Adhesive and Caulk by Wall Family
  2. Gluing the Acrylic 3-Panel Kit
  3. Preparing the Wall so the Silicone Holds
  4. Sealing the Wet Edge: Flange First, Then Every Joint
  5. Related Guides
  6. Related Videos
  7. Common Questions

Ella's acrylic wall panel kits are glued, not fastened, and the glue is silicone. The acrylic 3-panel kit is glued only, never screwed or nailed, dry-fitted first and then braced or taped for 24 hours while the silicone cures, and every joint in the wet area is sealed with silicone afterward. The same 100 percent silicone bonds the glue-up tile flange at the tub edge and sets the SMC panels, so one sealant handles the adhesive, flange and caulking jobs on an Ella wall. The full sequence for each wall family is in How do you install a shower wall panel kit from Ella's Bubbles?; this page focuses on what goes on the wall, where it goes, and what to avoid.

Adhesive and Caulk by Wall Family

Wall productAdhesiveFastening ruleHold and cure
Acrylic 3-panel kit (40 x 60 x 105 and 40 x 60 x 98)SiliconeGlued only, never screwed or nailed; dry-fit firstBraced or taped for 24 hours while the silicone cures
Acrylic 6-piece kitGlued to the wall; sequence in the kit's installation guideNot listedNot listed
SMC 12-piece subway kit (36 x 60 x 96)100 percent silicone, continuous perimeter bead plus vertical beads every 8 to 12 inchesOverlapping flanges, bottom row of the back wall firstClamps, braces or painter's tape while curing; white caulk at inside corners
Tongue and groove PVC tilesAdhesive on the back of each tile plus a thin bead of silicone at the jointSnap each tile into the one before itAcclimate the cartons 24 hours in the bathroom first
Cultured marble surroundsGlue over drywall, plaster, painted walls, Durock or existing tileNot listedNot listed
Glue-up tile flange100 percent siliconeStrip about 5 inches tall, overlapping the tub edge by about 2 inchesEdge cleaned with the alcohol tissues in the kit before bonding

What this means for your shopping list: whichever Ella wall family you bought, you are buying 100 percent silicone and a way to hold the panels still while it cures, not screws, nails or a separate panel adhesive. What changes between kits is the bead pattern and the holding method, and the acrylic kits are the strictest, because gluing is the only fastening allowed. Both the SMC panels and the PVC tiles use a tongue and groove interlock, so name the exact product when you ask the team at (800) 480-6850, or the answer may describe the wrong one.

Gluing the Acrylic 3-Panel Kit

The acrylic 3-panel kit is a 60 inch wide back panel and two 40 inch side panels of multilayer acrylic about 1/8 inch thick, rolled and shipped in a 24 x 24 x 61 inch box. Store the panels flat before installation. The panels are cut to fit and the edges finished with molding, which is not included, or with caulk. The fastening rule is the one that trips people up: the kit is glued only. Dry-fit each panel against the alcove first, apply the silicone, press the panel into place, and then brace or tape it for 24 hours while the silicone cures. Nothing is screwed or nailed through the acrylic. The 6-piece acrylic kit is also glued to the wall, and its panel sequence is in the installation guide packed with the kit. The flange and sealing rules below apply to both acrylic kits. The multi-product guide Installing the SMC 12-Piece Wall Kit, Acrylic Tub Surrounds, the 3-Panel Kit, Tongue-and-Groove Wall Tiles and Palisade Vinyl Tiles walks through each kit in order.

Preparing the Wall so the Silicone Holds

Silicone only bonds to a surface that is ready for it, so the substrate matters as much as the tube. The wall behind the panels has to be an approved substrate that is sound, clean and dry.

  • Clean and dry the substrate, whether drywall, cement board or an existing wall, and patch any holes.
  • Make sure the back-to-side corner is plumb and square before the first panel goes on, and mark the finished height.
  • Cultured marble surrounds glue over drywall, plaster, painted walls, Durock or even existing tile, and one person can carry and install them.
  • If you are unsure whether your wall qualifies, describe it to the team at (800) 480-6850 before you start rather than after.

The base or tub comes first. Level the fixture with every leg bearing on the floor and complete the water test before finishing any wall. Walls that go up before the tub is proven leak-free are the walls that come down again.

Sealing the Wet Edge: Flange First, Then Every Joint

Ella tubs have a flat deck edge with no molded tile lip, so the water barrier at the wall is a strip added at installation. The manual calls for a rustproof, waterproof strip about 5 inches tall, bonded with 100 percent silicone so it overlaps the tub edge by about 2 inches. The current part is the flexible, reversible glue-up flange kit, which goes on after the edge is cleaned with the alcohol tissues in the kit, and the flange is glued before the tub is pushed into place. The wall panel then runs down over the flange and onto the deck so water sheds back into the tub. Sourcing, length and the step-by-step are in Tile Flange, Caulking, and Finishing the Walls Around Your Walk-In Tub.

Once the panels are up, seal every joint in the wet area with silicone. On the SMC kit, finish the inside corners with white caulk, fill the perimeter and top-row gaps, inspect every seam, and allow the recommended cure before using the shower. On the PVC tiles, the thin bead of silicone goes at each joint as the tile is set, and the tile-by-tile sealing method is in How do you install and seal tongue and groove PVC shower wall tiles?. The low-threshold shower video on this page shows the same pattern on a shower: the installer applies silicone adhesive under the base for support and adhesion, hangs the wall panels, installs the valve, and then caulks all the seams as the finishing step. Every Ella shower video is collected in the shower videos library.

Video
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Introduction to Low-Threshold Shower Installation This video provides visual guidance for installing a low-threshold 3-piece shower, emphasizing the importance of referring to the installation manual.
  2. 0:24 Dry Assembly and Pre-Installation Checks The installer dry assembles the modular shower to ensure correct panels, drain location, and proper alignment before moving it into the bathroom space.
  3. 1:54 Preparing the Framing Pocket and Subfloor The installer checks the framing pocket for proper sizing, square, plumb, and level, making necessary adjustments and inspecting the subfloor for integrity.
  4. 4:07 Installing the Drain Body and Base Support The installer installs the drain body, prepares the drain to meet local plumbing codes, and applies silicone adhesive for proper support and adhesion of the base.
  5. 5:53 Permanently Installing and Securing the Base The installer permanently positions and levels the shower base, securing it to all available studs and cutting the drain pipe even with the rubber gasket.
  6. 7:22 Installing the Wall Panels and Valve The installer installs the wall panels using a pin and slot system, then installs the valve, connecting the hot and cold water supply lines.
  7. 10:19 Finishing Touches and Accessories The installer caulks all seams, recommends client involvement for accessory placement, and suggests an optional flange trim molding kit for a seamless transition.

Watch: Step-by-Step Low-Threshold Shower Installation for Remodeling | Ella’s Bubbles with chapters and a full transcript.

Video
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Introducing the Tile Flange Kit This video introduces the Ella's Bubbles glue-up tile flange kit and explains the unique properties of Sealux.
  2. 0:56 Marking Strip Position on Walls The video demonstrates two methods for marking the correct strip position on the shower walls for proper alignment.
  3. 2:29 Applying the Sealux Strip The technician trims the Sealux strip, aligns it to the wall, and carefully bonds it into place using a spatula tool.
  4. 3:23 Applying Adhesive and Sealing The technician applies adhesive to the wall, spreads it, and then presses the Sealux strip firmly onto the wall.
  5. 4:18 Preparing for Tub Installation The technician cleans the surface with alcohol wipes and applies silicone for three-wall and two-wall installations to ensure a leak-proof seal.
  6. 5:12 Final Sealing and Tiling The technician applies a bead of waterproof sealant, smooths it, and prepares the area for tiling and flooring.
Video
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Introducing Grout-less Shower Tiles We introduce Ella's Bubbles PVC grout-less shower tiles, a simple and stylish way to upgrade your shower or bath enclosure.
  2. 0:14 Measuring and Cutting Tiles We demonstrate how to carefully measure, score, and snap the tiles to get the precise piece you need for installation.
  3. 0:35 Upgrading Your Enclosure In no time at all, you have upgraded your shower or bath enclosure with a beautiful, modern look.

Common Questions

Can I screw or nail the acrylic wall panels to the studs?
No. The acrylic 3-panel kit is glued only, never screwed or nailed. Dry-fit the panels first, apply the silicone, press them into place, and brace or tape them for 24 hours while it cures. Edges are finished with molding, which is not included, or with caulk.
How long should the acrylic panels be held in place after gluing?
Brace or tape the acrylic 3-panel kit for 24 hours while the silicone cures. The SMC panels are likewise kept flush with clamps, braces or painter's tape while curing, and checked periodically. Allow the recommended cure before using the shower.
Which silicone should I use for the glue-up tile flange?
100 percent silicone. The flange is a strip about 5 inches tall bonded to the tub edge so it overlaps by about 2 inches, after the edge is cleaned with the alcohol tissues in the kit. Glue it before the tub is pushed into place and run the wall panel down over it.
Do I caulk every joint or just the inside corners?
Every joint in the wet area is sealed with silicone. On the SMC kit the inside corners are finished with white caulk and the perimeter and top-row gaps are filled as well. Inspect every seam before the shower is used.
Can the wall panels go over my existing tile?
Cultured marble surrounds glue over drywall, plaster, painted walls, Durock or existing tile. For the other kits, the wall must be an approved substrate that is clean, dry and sound, so describe your existing wall to the team at (800) 480-6850 before you start.
When should the wall panels go up relative to the tub?
After the tub or base is set, leveled with every leg bearing on the floor, and water tested. Then the glue-up flange goes on the wet edge, and only then are the panels glued and sealed. Walls finished before the tub is proven leak-free may have to come down again.

About this guide. Answers in the Ella’s Bubbles Support Center are compiled from real conversations with tub owners, our technicians’ notes and the product documentation, then reviewed by our team. Tub models and options have evolved over the years, so a detail here may differ slightly from your exact tub. If something looks different on yours, send us your serial number and a specialist will confirm it for your model.

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