QA

How To Install Bathtub Walls

What do you put behind a tub surround?

Install cement board behind tub and shower enclosures. Install cement board or an equivalent moisture-resistant backing material on walls behind tub and shower enclosures composed of tile or panel assemblies with caulked joints.

Can you put tub surround over drywall?

The short answer to the question is, “It’s not recommended.” However, this answer only really only suffices if you’re converting a room that was never a bathroom into a wet space. Drywall on its own is not suitable for use in bathrooms because it is prone to absorbing moisture and thus losing structural integrity.

Can you glue a tub surround to cement board?

LePage PL 700 Tub Surround Adhesive is designed to bond most bathroom and shower enclosures without harming or burning the tub kit materials. Use LePage PL 700 Tub Surround Adhesive to bond most plastic and fibreglass tub surrounds to waterproof drywall, cement board, wood, Barker Board/Tile, and ceramic tile.

Do you need cement board behind tub surround?

ANSWER – No there should not be a gap between the top of the bathtub flange and the backer board on the wall. There should be a moisture barrier behind the backer board that is installed in a weather lapping manner starting at the tub flange working up the wall.

Do you screw a bathtub to the wall?

Carefully set tub into place against the wall studs. Predrill 3/16-inch-diameter screw holes through the tub’s flange, then fasten the tub to the wall studs with 1¼-inch-long decking screws. Use a drill and hole saw to cut holes through the fiberglass tub surround for the shower valve and tub spout.

Can you use plywood behind shower walls?

Plywood: Water-Prone, Not Code Since plywood is often used as an underlayment for floor tile, some do-it-yourselfers may believe that it can also be used in shower wall applications.

What do you put behind shower walls?

Rigid air barrier materials for use behind showers and tubs include fiber-cement, fiber-reinforced gypsum, glass mat gypsum, or fiber mat-reinforced cementitious backer panels.

Do you install a tub before or after drywall?

Fiberglass and acrylic tub and shower enclosures come with a flanged edge that attaches directly to the wall studs, and the proper way to hide this flange is to install drywall over it. Consequently, enclosures are typically installed on the bare studs.

Can I use green board for shower walls?

It means “Greenboard” can still be used in bathrooms (and other areas), it just cannot be used as a backer for tile in a shower or tub surround. It can be used in areas not subject to direct water exposure (tub/shower surround), and areas of noncontinuous high humidity (bathrooms).

Should you put plastic behind shower walls?

They are required beneath your shower pan and behind your shower walls. Moisture barriers can be made of polyethylene or a membrane that is rolled directly onto the drywall. No matter what they are made of, without them, your shower is subject to moisture damage.

What kind of drywall do you use for a shower surround?

Look into cement board if you need waterproof drywall. This type of waterproof drywall is designed for wet areas such as showers and bathtub surrounds. Be cognizant that cement board requires a moisture barrier behind it, which makes the installation process longer than moisture-resistant drywall.

How many tubes of glue do I need for a tub surround?

A typical surround will require approximately 3 tubes of adhesive for installation.

What’s the rough in for a bathtub?

The standard rough-in dimension for a bathtub is 60-¼”. But if there’s a gap, you can attach furring strips to the stud wall. You can also apply some cement or plywood.

How far should wall extend past bathtub?

Plan to extend the tile 2 or 3 in. beyond the tub and to leave at least a half tile along the wall if possible. Don’t stop tile even with the end of the tub. This leaves the walls along the front of the tub vulnerable to water damage, and doesn’t look as finished as tile extending to the floor.

What is the best cement board for shower walls?

Styrofoam backer board is extremely lightweight, and it’s strong and waterproof. It’s also easier to cut than other backer boards, and it’s dust-free. It’s ideal for wet areas like the shower walls or floor.

Does shower pan liner go behind backer board?

The wallboard must be installed 1/8 inch above the shower pan. If the shower pan is not in place, the wallboard height must be guessed, which can lead to inaccuracies and an expansion gap that is too large or too small.

Can you glue shower walls to cement board?

Shower enclosures work with a shower pan and are taller than tub surround wall panels. Tip: Glue-up shower stalls and kits should only be installed over moisture-resistant drywall or another similar solid surface like cement board. They’re not recommended for use over existing tile, plywood or wallpaper.

What kind of screws do you use for backer board?

To attach the cement board to the studs, you’ll need special 1-1/4 in. cement board screws (see Fig. B). These screws have a coating to resist corrosion, a special wide head with cutting flutes and hi-low threads for a strong grip.