Aquapanel? Wedi? Other?

[Bartlett]

Hi, just after a little advice from those more experienced than myself (that'll be most of you then?!)
I looked at a job today; a shower room to refurb. Looks as though a pretty tidy tiling job was done about four years ago but two walls of the shower are ply on stud and it seems like no tanking was done. Grout is filthy and has cracked, water through the walls, messy and damp, plenty to put right.
I'm thinking of replacing the ply with aquapanel or wedi board but have used neither before, so, any tips or advice would be very welcome.
ie, what do you prefer to use?
where do you get it?
what is cheaper?
is there anything else available which would do the job?
Thanks very much.

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

i tend to prefer the cement boards wedi, marmox, they give the best insulation to, are very light and easy to use imo,you only need to seal the joints then!! although i go over everything with a tanking system

 

[Gazzatile]

If you are leveling to another area look for the one that will match hight/level this will make your job tidy both can be used I prefer the wedi one

 

[peckers]

I find the marmox boards are cheaper then wedi boards and wedi is mainly bought threw a builders yard then a tile shop well down here anyways. marmox is more readily availabe from tiling outlets.
I always screw them back to the studs useing the washers and screws and i apply the waterproof tape over the joints sticking them with the adhesive and then i flush the tapes out with a bit of adhesive and i put some over the top of the screws and washers in wet areas too.
its very easy to use no mess and clean and easy to cut and if you got to carry them up the stairs its a doddle.
Schutler have brought out there own version of the wedi board too, this has insulation sandwiched between what resembles there kerdi matting again available in lots of thicknesses, I havent used it myself yet and dont know how it compares in price to the others.
It all depends what makes are available to you in your area i suppose, but if you cant get any of these locally then you could use the hardi backer or equivelent.
or you could re plasterboard and use a waterproof membraine...

 

[Bartlett]

Thanks for the replies, good advice.
Is there anyone who would simply use plasterboard for the shower walls and then tank? Or do you consider this a definite
I'm just thinking it's obviously cheaper and easy to work with, and I'm just curious to know what everyone uses?

 

[diamondtiling]

Dont try for the cheaper option, things are cheap for a reason.

I would always opt for aqua panels over plasterboard and tanking in a wet area.