Author Topic: Bathtub surround question? (Read 228 times)

Lori (NV) · « **on:** February 22, 2012, 02:09:31 PM »

The house where my son lives is forever in need of repairs. Right now the most urgent repair is the the "surround" around the bathtub (I guess that's what it's called--not sure). The crap that is there now is old, seventies, and gross. The old tub itself is porcelain and in fairly good shape. What is the best material to put around a porcelain tub? This house is a rental so I want cheap but durable. Ideas all you handy people??

Lori

Clara · « **Reply #1 on:** February 22, 2012, 03:00:36 PM »

I generally use ceramic tile. It will cost more than "surrounds", but it will surely outlast them all.

I have used the surrounds in the past, but have replaced all of them with ceramic.

JMHO
Clara

Jeremiah(IN) · « **Reply #2 on:** February 22, 2012, 03:16:41 PM »

I would just put up another surround. Go to the store and get one with the shelf layout he wants, several tubes of loctite tub surround glue. I like ceramic too but the surrounds are faster.

Sean · « **Reply #3 on:** February 22, 2012, 04:36:43 PM »

Ceramic tile.. Nothing else lasts.

Lori (NV) · « **Reply #4 on:** February 22, 2012, 06:12:40 PM »

Okay this is a dumb question but do they make ceramic tile or something ceramic in one piece blocks? Why I'm asking is my parents have in their little bathroom a marble-like 3 piece surround (One big piece for each wall). These pieces go all the way from the tub to the ceiling. No grout work (which is why I don't want tile pieces). I don't know what that is called? But I wanted something strong and durable like that. The plastic crap is fast and cheap but it just doesn't last.

Jeremiah(IN) · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2012, 06:19:53 PM »

There is a product like that called swanstone sold at menards or lowes.

okhmbldr · « **Reply #6 on:** February 22, 2012, 06:38:58 PM »

OK, I'll throw this out. It's a rental and you want fast and cheap. Yes, tile is my preferred choice for shower surrounds, I like the 16x16 or 18x18 size. Large tile with small grout joints works great, and you can purchase very cheap if you're not particular about colors.
Another idea that I've used is formica. We have a local guy that somehow gets a lot of odd sizes and colors. He has thousands of sheets, so I've purchased the sizes close to what I need, cut to fit about 5' above the edges of the tub and use contact cement to attach to the walls. Your walls need to be smooth for the formica to work. Then I just caulk the corners and where the formica mets the tub.

Terese · « **Reply #7 on:** February 22, 2012, 09:31:54 PM »

Cultured marble Lori. Big sheets, you just caulk the edges...

Mike (SWMO) · « **Reply #8 on:** February 23, 2012, 12:40:14 AM »

If it’s a rental that always needs work and if you don’t mind the white hospital look then you could consider Dairy Board. Its called that around here because all the dairy farmers have it in their milking sheds. It’s the same stuff you see in restrooms in service stations. I put it in one and it did Ok. Took out any backing, put up OSB board, then used liquid nails or some such glue and glued the pieces in place. Caulk the two seams and your are good to go. Not high end but very durable.

gevans · « **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2012, 07:48:52 AM »

Fast, easy... not cheap! Looks great and lasts forever with a solid foundation:

http://canddculturedmarble.com/wallsurroundkits.html

Lori (NV) · « **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2012, 09:50:17 AM »

That's it! The marble or the formica would work. This old tub just has two sides surrounded so it would be a bit cheaper anyway to redo it. The end and right side of the tub stand out. The very first rental I bought, I did the surround immediately. Now nine years later it is already looking crappy. The cheap stuff just doesn't last and I don't like doing it again and again. Thanks everyone.

Lori