Table of Contents
The Best Tub Surround of 2022 Swanstone Bathtub Wall Kit (Our Top Pick) Maax Bathtub Wall Kit (Budget Pick) Durawall Thermoplastic Bathtub Wall Kit. American Standard Bathtub Wall Set. Sterling Plumbing Bathtub Wall Surround. STERLING Bath and Shower Kit (Upgrade Pick) DreamLine QWALL-Tub Backwall Kit.
How do I choose a tub surround?
Pick a Tub Surround That Matches Most bathrooms have matching sink color, toilet color, and tub color so all of the fixtures have the same look and finish. Making sure that the new surround matches your existing tub will make it look like it was planned and ensure all of the fixtures go together.
What can be used for tub surround?
4 Popular Materials for Bathtub and Shower Surrounds Acrylic. Acrylic materials are cut from a large piece to fit every corner of your shower walls. Ceramic and porcelain tiles. They are similar to porcelain, and a bit larger than glass or stone tiles. 3 Glass tiles. Stone tiles.
What is the most durable material for a bathtub?
Cast iron tubs are made by pouring molten iron into a mold of the desired shape, then smoothing it and coating it with a thick layer of enamel. It’s probably the most durable tub available, and the finish is resistant to chipping, scratching and denting, as well as most types of chemicals.
What is the easiest tub surround to install?
An increasingly popular option for alcove enclosures for bathtubs and showers is a surround kit that uses acrylic or fiberglass panels. This type of kit is cheaper and easier to install than ceramic tile wall enclosures and is remarkably easy to maintain.
How long do tub surrounds last?
You can order matching solid-surface trim kits that eliminate the need for tile around the edge. Expect a life span of 30-plus years.
Do tub surrounds leak?
Tubs can leak around the tub/shower control valve. Leaks are also common at the front of the tub where it meets the finished floor. In some instances, leaks can also develop around the lip of the tub where it meets the wall tile or tub surround. That was a quick rundown of potential tub leak locations.
How much do bathtub surrounds cost?
Cost To Install Tub Surround The average cost to install a tub surround is $600 to $1,800 for the materials and labor. The labor cost to replace a tub surround is $300 to $600. Basic acrylic and fiberglass tub surrounds cost $200 to $1,000, while solid surface surrounds cost $600 to $2,000, plus installation.
What is a composite tub surround made of?
Kinro Composites Bathtub Surround Kinro composite is also made from high-quality acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (abs). This makes it one of the low maintenance yet tough and durable options of all time. Being a one-piece item also means you don’t need to worry about its whole installation process.
What is the average square footage of a tub surround?
How many square feet is a standard tub surround? Your average bath surround will measure in around 1,920 square feet. This number will generally differ depending on the size of your bathtub and the space you have available in your bathroom.
What kind of bathtub material is best?
Fiberglass is the best bathtub material for a lightweight, inexpensive and easy-to-clean tub. Porcelain-enameled steel and wood retain heat extremely well, while the best bathtub material for a quiet sound while filling is porcelain-enameled cast iron.
Which bathtub is easiest to maintain?
Fiberglass Fiberglass is easy to install and maintain, but is among the least durable of bathtub materials. Made of a fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP), bathtub fiberglass is layered into the tub’s shape and then coated with resin.
Is fiberglass or acrylic tub better?
Bottom line is that acrylic is a stronger material than fiberglass. Acrylic tubs effectively resist wear and tear for years on end, while fiberglass is prone to scratching and cracking.
How long does it take to install a tub surround?
For a typical tub with a tile tub surround to be removed and the walls of the surround replaced you are looking at at least 3 days for simple tile, although there are ways to shorten this. It will take about a half day to get rid of the old one.
What is Vikrell?
Vikrell is one brand of many in the realm of poly composite bathtubs and other home fixtures. With Vikrell, the underlying material of the tub consists of fiberglass and polyresin. Basically, it is comprised of very thin fibers of glass, along with plastic.
Can you install a 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.
Is it cheaper to tile a shower or buy a surround?
Because they are less laborious to install, surrounds are often less expensive than tile. Some high-end materials, however, such as granite, may be more expensive than tiling with some grades of tile.
Is a tub surround a good idea?
Surrounding the walls of your bathtub with waterproof material is essential when building or remodeling your bathroom. Instead, many homeowners choose bathtub liners or wall surrounds, which adhere to the walls and protect them from moisture, mold and mildew.
Which is better acrylic or fiberglass showers?
The differences between fiberglass and acrylic showers and tubs extends beyond aesthetics. When it comes to durability, acrylic lasts much longer than fiberglass. Acrylic is harder to scratch or puncture than fiberglass, and therefore requires fewer repairs and typically has a longer life expectancy.
Can you put a tub surround over existing tub?
Tub surrounds can sometimes be installed over existing tile, but only when conditions are right. The old tile area needs to be smaller than the kit and you’ll need to build up the surrounding wall to the level of the tile, usually with 1/4-in. drywall. First, tape cardboard over the tub to protect it.
How much is shower surround installation?
The national average materials cost to install a shower surround is $226.39 per surround, with a range between $203.11 to $249.67. The total price for labor and materials per surround is $594.63, coming in between $531.47 to $657.79.
Can you put tile over a tub surround?
For a tub surround only, install the backerboard and tile 12 inches above the tub. When tiling around a tub, mark the first layout line at the vertical edge of the tile next to the tub. If it is not level, start the first row of full tiles at least three-fourths of a tile above the rim.
Can I use laminate sheets for shower walls?
You can use laminate sheets for shower walls. Laminated shower walls differ from molded shower enclosures. Each wall is a separate piece. Laminated sheets can’t be bent to fit corners or edges, so individual pieces are cut to fit each wall.
How long does a tub surround last?
Swanstone bathtub surrounds You can order matching solid-surface trim kits that eliminate the need for tile around the edge. Expect a life span of 30-plus years. Some brands include a lifetime warranty.
Are tub surrounds expensive?
Cost. The greatest advantage of bathtub liners and wall surrounds is cost. Installing a surround over existing walls is a cost-effective way to remodel or update a bathroom. Simple, low-end surrounds can cost as little as $50 (in early 2011) plus the cost of installation tools and materials.
Is Swanstone a good product?
Overall Product Durability Both Swanstone and acrylic shower products boast hard surfaces that resist scratches, cracks, gouges and chips. Swanstone is substantially more resistant to impact than cast polymer products, and Swanstone is heat resistant, so it is well suited to use in steam showers.
