Palisade Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Applications

On what surfaces can Palisade panels be installed?

The panels can be glued to smooth surfaces such as plaster, plasterboard or even to existing tiles. Other substrates in a dry environment that will work are drywall, plywood and OSB. In a wet environment, such as a tub or shower area, existing ceramic tile walls can be covered with no additional preparation required. Otherwise, installation over a waterproof substrate is required, such as Cement Board®, Schluter Kerdi Board®, GP Densheild®, Johns Manville Go Board®, Hardiebacker®, WPBK Triton®, Fiberock® and equivalent products. Always follow manufacturer’s installation instructions to create a waterproof enclosure. More information about installation methods are included on our installation guide.

Can I put Palisade in the shower?

Yes, seal all edges with DAP Kwik Seal Ultra sealant at the joint to prevent water infiltration. Apply a line of silicone sealant to the tongue and groove connection between the panels to ensure a completely waterproof joint. Also apply a line of silicone sealant between the panel and the edge of the shower or bath, and on inside corners. The sealant we recommend is DAP Kwik Seal Ultra. Be sure to read the sealant or adhesive instructions before use. Please see our Shower installation guide for more info.

Can I paint Palisade?

Yes, but the panels are not intended to be painted. If desired, consult with your paint department for proper primer and paint for good adhesion.

Can I use matching paint to touch up a scratch on the Palisade tile?

No. We do not have matching paint available at this time.

Can I apply Palisade tiles over wallpaper?

Yes, as long as the substrate is in good condition.

Can I put Palisade outside on my patio (exposed to outside elements/ UV rays)?

No, Palisade is not exterior-grade-UV-stable.

Can I use as a working surface and put Palisade on my floor, use as a countertop, etc?

No. The panels are designed to be used on a vertical wall surface.

Can Palisade be nailed through to hang pictures or a towel rack?

Yes, they can be nailed through. You can also try a more temporary solution like command strips, which can be used to prevent any damage or holes in the Palisade panel

Can Palisade be used in campers, RVs, 4 seasons rooms or garages (non-temperature-controlled areas)?

Yes, as long as the recommended installation methods and adhesives are used leaving 1/4 space at the edges to allow for expansion and contraction.

Do you offer outlet covers/ switch covers?

No.

Can I put Palisade on my ceiling?

No, we do not recommend installing Palisade panels on the ceiling.

Can I install a bench or shelf in my shower with the Palisade panels?

Yes. As long as you seal all the connecting joints with a waterproof sealant you can use the Palisade panels to create a niche or shelf. We recommend installing any horizontal tile at very slight angle (under 10 degrees), so the water does not rest on the panel but slides off.

Do I need trims to finish my project?

No. Adding and using trims is a personal choice and not required. See product installation guides for ways to finish an edge without trims.

What should I use for edge trims?

We recommend using our new Palisade Trims.

Silicone sealant can also be used instead of trims. Inside corners can be caulked with a matching caulk or you can use clear silicone sealant.

Are the trims an exact match to the pattern of the tiles?

Yes, we have developed trims with patterns to match the tile designs. However, due to the natural stone-like “veins” in some of the stone and granite tiles, the light/dark veining of the tiles will not always coordinate exactly with the trims.

Trim example

Prep & Installation

Can I use Palisade panels in a niche in my tub or shower?

Yes. Please see our Shower Niche Installation Guide, here.

Is it easy to install Palisade products yourself?

Yes. Palisade panels are easy to install by the average do-it-yourself consumer. The panels can be cut to size using a saw (manual or electric) or a utility knife.

Do I need to seal my basement concrete wall before I install Palisade?

It depends on the age and surface of your basement wall. In newer homes, the poured concrete walls are traditionally sealed from the outside. In older homes with concrete block foundations, you can seal with a concrete sealer like a Kilz. We do not recommend Palisade Panels be installed on raw concrete walls. See our installation guide, here.

How do I need to prep my wall before I install Palisade?

If you choose to install Palisade on an existing wall, clean it with a good degreaser to make sure the wall is free from any contaminates that would affect adhesion.

Should I seal the Palisade for extra protection?

This is not necessary. However, if you are using this in a wet environment such as shower enclosure, we do recommend sealing all edges with a silicone sealer.

What kind of adhesive and sealant should be used?

When gluing Palisade products on regular surfaces such as plasterboard or wood, we recommend using one of the following adhesives: Loctite® Power Grab® Ultimate (white formula only), Titebond® Titegrab Ultimate®, Liquid Nails® Fuze It® and Manus® 75-AM HV. For Canadian customers, we recommend Lepage No More Nails® Wet Instant Grab® adhesive. For Palisade to be used in wet environments, a bead of sealant must be used in each seam between panels. The sealant we recommend is SilTex® 40. For Canadian customers, we recommend Kwick Seal Plus®.

How much adhesive will I need for my project?

For a standard 10-oz tube of adhesive, cut the nozzle at the 1/4-inch bead mark and use a 1/4-inch bead. Each tube of adhesive covers approximately 16 sq ft. Add up the square footage of your project and divide that number by 16 to calculate how many tubes you’ll need.

Should extra silicone be added between panels?

Not normally, however when installing in a wet room (such as a shower, for example), apply a line of silicone sealant to the tongue and groove connection between the panels to ensure a completely waterproof joint. Also apply a line of silicone sealant between the panel and the edge of the shower or bath, and on inside corners. The sealant we recommend is SilTex 40. For Canadian customers, Kwick Seal Plus. Be sure to read the sealant or adhesive instructions before use.

Why is part of the tongue or groove chipped off of the panels? Are my panels defective?

The panels are not defective. During manufacturing, one corner of the overlap lip is intentionally milled off. This is to provide enough space for the four corners to fit together when four panels are connected. The milled tongue or groove does not impact the product performance or finished look.

Trim example

Trim example

Trim example

Trim example

Do I need to grout Palisade?

No. Grouting is not necessary as Palisade already has a manufactured grout line built in.

If I wanted to remove 1 tile (or a few) how would I do so and what would I use?

This can be accomplished and is treated like any other tongue and groove connection. Using a utility knife, cut the tongue of the panel you choose to remove. Once the tongue on both sides is removed, use a putty knife or paint scraper and slide the tool under the panel to be remove and apply outward pressure releasing the adhesive from the wall. You may need to repair the wall after removal if adhesive damages surface to prepare it for new panel.

What if I want to trowel the adhesive on?

You can trowel on the adhesive with a 1/4-inch notch trowel for more even coverage after applying adhesive to the back of the panel or trowel directly onto your wall.

Should I seal the Palisade for extra protection?

This is not necessary. However, if you are using this in a wet environment such as shower enclosure, we do recommend sealing all edges with a silicone sealer.

How do I cut Palisade?

Standard wood working tools like a table saw or circular saw with a fine tooth provide the best cut edge. Use a 60-tooth blade or higher. Alternatively, you can score one side a few times with a utility knife and snap the tile at the line. This method may require sanding the snapped edges.

Can Palisade be used with a waterproofing and vapor-retardant membrane?

Palisade tiles can be applied to any of these types of systems. Follow the manufacturer’s recommending installation of the membrane system. Only our approved adhesives can be used to attach our tiles to the membrane. Do not use a thin-set mortar adhesive to apply the Palisade tiles to the membrane. Use only one of the following adhesives: Loctite® Power Grab® Ultimate (white formula only), Titebond® Titegrab Ultimate®, Liquid Nails® Fuze It® and Manus® 75-AM HV. For Canadian customers, we recommend Lepage No More Nails® Wet Instant Grab® adhesive.

Can I use waterproofing membrane like RedGard®?

Palisade tiles can be applied to any of these types of systems. Follow the manufacturer’s recommending installation of the membrane system. Only our approved adhesives can be used to attach our tiles to the membrane. Do not use a thin-set mortar adhesive to apply the Palisade tiles to the membrane. Use only one of the following adhesives: Loctite® Power Grab® Ultimate (white formula only), Titebond® Titegrab Ultimate®, Liquid Nails® Fuze It® and Manus® 75-AM HV. For Canadian customers, we recommend Lepage No More Nails® Wet Instant Grab® adhesive.

During installation, some of the adhesive dried on the finish side of my panels. How can I remove that?

If some of the adhesive has dried on the finish side of the panels, you can use mineral spirits to remove it. This is the only solvent that can be used that will not damage the finish on the tile. It is best to remove any excess adhesive immediately using a damp cloth. Allowing excess adhesive to dry on the finished side of the panel may harm the finish.

Can I change direction of the tiles, or flip it another direction?

No, the tiles are directional and can only be connected one way by locking the tongue and groove edges together. When oriented correctly, the groove edges are on the top and left-hand side of the panel. The tongue will be on the bottom and right-hand side of the panels. See image below for details.

Palisade tongue and groove example

Performance

How does Palisade hold up with humidity?

Excellent. The panels are 100% waterproof.

What is the maximum temperature for Palisade panels?

Our panels can withstand a maximum continuous temperature of 140F. This means that Palisade PVC panels can be used as a shower wall panel, but cannot be used in saunas or steam rooms. Installation within 6 inches of a stove is not recommended either. Palisade should be installed in temperatures between 40 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit (4 and 43 degrees Celsius).

How should Palisade panels be cleaned and cared for?

The panels can be cleaned using any typical household, non-abrasive cleaning agent. Normally, you only need a damp cloth to clean the panels thoroughly. Do not use abrasive substances or cleaning products based on chloride. We do not recommend using solvents. Adhesive residue or pen marks are best removed using isopropyl alcohol. Cleaning products that have been tested with Palisade tiles and have proven to be effective and non-damaging are: Scrubbing Bubbles©, Tilex©, Kaboom©, CLR©, Iron Out© and Goo Gone©.

Are Palisade panels scratch-resistant?

Yes, there is a durable, UV-cured, protective polyurethane layer on the surface of the panels. This wear-and-scratch-resistant layer will prevent moderate abuse. The tiles are intended as a wall product, however, and can be scratched by sharp objects or dented by blunt force. Palisade tiles have better wear and scratch resistance than most wall treatments, such as painted drywall or paneling. Panels should be cleaned with household or mild commercial cleaners that do not contain abrasives.

What is the Fire Rating of Palisade panels?

Palisade PVC panels have the following fire classification rate: US STANDARD ASTM E84: Class A Flame, Class C Smoke.

What is the guarantee period?

Palisade panels are guaranteed for a period of 10 years.

Does the stone-look pattern used on Palisade tiles repeat?

Yes. The decorative, photo-realistic pattern repeats about every eight tiles. The location on each tile where the pattern repeats is always different, however, resulting in a unique look for each tile.

Can I use a solvent to remove stains or graffiti from Palisade panels?

We have tested using lacquer thinner to remove spray paint and permanent marker from the panels with success. The solvent does not affect the protective coating on the panels and will remove most graffiti and serious staining. After stain removal, use a warm water and soap solution to rinse off the solvent.

Environmental

Do your products emit toxic fumes? Are your products hazardous when inhaled indoors?

No. Our products are not harmful to your health. All our products are classified as A+ (very low emission of pollutants), which is the best rating for indoor wall cladding. This means you can use our products in your house with no harmful effect on health.

Can Palisade panels be recycled?

Yes. Palisade panels can be recycled and be taken to any plastic recycling facility.

Do your products have a California Proposition 65 warning?

You may see a warning on this product regarding California’s Proposition 65, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. It is intended to help Californians make informed decisions about protecting themselves from chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. The Proposition requires the state to maintain and update a list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity.

Proposition 65 is designed to inform consumers. This is not the same as a regulatory decision that a product is “safe” or “unsafe”. Our products emit no volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) and are in no way harmful if the product is used for its intended purpose. At Acoustic Ceiling Products, customer satisfaction is our number one priority and we will be happy to provide any additional information, technical specs or data you may need on any of our products.