Wall Surround System with Tile Inlays

Abstract

Provided is a wall surround system for use in a room having at least one existing wall. The system includes at least one wall surround panel configured to be installed along the existing wall, the wall surround panel defining at least one recessed portion. The system also includes at least one tile inlay configured to be received within the recessed portion. The system can be a remodeling system for remodeling a bathroom or kitchen in a residential or commercial building. Also provided are methods for remodeling a room having at least one existing wall. The method includes providing at least one wall surround panel that defines at least one recessed portion and at least one tile inlay, securing the wall surround panel to the wall, and securing the tile inlay in a respective recessed portion.

1 . A wall surround system for use in a room having at least one existing wall, comprising:
 at least one wall surround panel configured to be installed along the at least one existing wall, wherein each wall surround panel has a face surface and at least one edge, and wherein each wall surround panel defines at least one recessed portion in the face surface; and   at least one tile inlay configured to be received within the at least one recessed portion.   
     
     
         2 . The wall surround system of  claim 1 , wherein each wall surround panel defines at least one linear indentation extending along at least a portion of the face surface of the wall surround panel. 
     
     
         3 . The wall surround system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one linear indentation comprises at least two linear indentations that extend substantially perpendicularly to each other. 
     
     
         4 . The wall surround system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one linear indentation comprises a plurality of first indentations spaced from each other and a plurality of second indentations spaced from each other, wherein each first indentation extends substantially perpendicularly to at least one of said second indentations. 
     
     
         5 . The wall surround system of  claim 4 , wherein the first indentations are spaced approximately 12 inches from each other and wherein the second indentations are spaced approximately 12 inches from each other. 
     
     
         6 . The wall surround system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one recessed portion is defined at an intersection of a first indentation and a second indentation. 
     
     
         7 . The wall surround system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one indentation has a width of approximately ⅛ inch, and a depth of approximately 1/16 to ¼ inch. 
     
     
         8 . The wall surround system of  claim 1 , wherein each recessed portion is substantially square in shape and has a width of approximately 4 inches, a height of approximately 4 inches, and a depth of approximately ½ inch. 
     
     
         9 . The wall surround system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one wall surround panel comprises a decorative trim along the at least one edge. 
     
     
         10 . The wall surround system of  claim 1 , further comprising means for securing the at least one tile inlay in the at least one recessed portion. 
     
     
         11 . The wall surround system of  claim 10 , wherein the means for securing comprises an adhesive. 
     
     
         12 . The wall surround system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one surround panel is acrylic. 
     
     
         13 . The wall surround system of  claim 1 , wherein the room has at least one first wall surrounding a bathtub or shower and at least one second wall that does not surround a bathtub or shower, and wherein one or more of the at least one wall surround panels is configured to be installed along the at least one first wall. 
     
     
         14 . The wall surround system of  claim 13 , wherein one or more of the at least one wall surround panels is configured to be installed along the at least one second wall. 
     
     
         15 . The wall surround system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tile inlay is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of stone, ceramic, glass, metal, and laminated plastic with a metal surface sheet. 
     
     
         16 . A method of remodeling a room having at least one existing wall, comprising:
 providing at least one wall surround panel, wherein each wall surround panel has a face surface and at least one edge, and wherein each wall surround panel defines at least one recessed portion in the face surface;   providing at least one tile inlay;   securing the at least one wall surround panel to the at least one wall; and   securing the at least one tile inlay in a respective recessed portion.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising removing a portion of the at least one wall that corresponds to the position of the at least one recessed portion when the wall surround panel is installed along the at least one wall, wherein said step of removing occurs prior to the step of securing the at least one wall surround panel to the at least one wall, and wherein securing the at least one wall surround panel to the at least one wall comprises positioning the at least one wall surround panel such that the at least one recessed portion extends into the removed portion of the at least one wall. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein securing the at least one tile inlay comprises adhering the tile inlay to a surface of the recessed portion. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein securing the at least one wall surround panel to the at least one wall comprises adhering the at least one wall surround panel to the at least one wall. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the room has a first wall and a second adjoining wall, and wherein the at least one wall surround panel comprises a first wall surround panel and a second wall surround panel, wherein securing the at least one wall surround panel to the at least one wall comprises securing the first wall surround panel to the first wall and securing the second wall surround panel to the second wall such that the first and second wall surround panels abut at a corner joint, the method further comprising sealing the joint between the first and second wall surround panels.