Affordable tub/shower wall solutions?

Question

Hello,

Well I'm stumped, and am a bit dumbfounded I'm not finding a clear solution to a cheap/affordable solution for a tub/shower surround in my current investment property.

When demo'ing the bathroom, we pulled out an acrylic (5 or 6 piece) tub/shower surround, pulled out the old drywall, installed new Den Shield, and then planned to buy another acrylic type tub/shower liner/surround. Well I can't seem to find really anything that fits the bill.

I don't want to shell out $250 for a 3 piece fiberglass surround that is intended for 'to stud' installation. I have limited space , 58" tub length. I'm not clearly seeing obvious options.

Does no one make a solution that I can cut to fit, and or is adaptable and affordable?

Any good leads that you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

-Nick

Patrick L. · Answer

Just bite the bullet and tile it, it'll look much better and be more durable than any fiberglass stuff.   You can find a tile for $1/ft that will look decent, especially if you go with a larger tile (not 4").   Labor will be most of the cost but it can be done in a day.    If you think $250 is "unaffordable" then that's another issue, renovations cost money especially if you want them done right.

Luc Boiron · Answer

@Nicholas TenBrink I should add, the cost of tiling is mostly labour. You would only need about 75-80 sqft of tile, so if you pick up some inexpensive tile, plus caulking, grout, and mastik, you could tile it yourself over the dense shield for around $250, possibly less.

I would say your mastik or mortar would be around $50, grout $15, caulking $10, tile edge $20. The rest comes down to the tile - you usually find some pretty nice porcelain 12x24" tiles for around $2 psqft, or find some cheaper ceramic at a clearance store for perhaps less than $1.

The real cost is in the labour, in my market, a tiler would usually charge $700 and up for tiling a shower surround.

Luc Boiron · Answer

I think $250 is already affordable.

I usually tile the surrounds as the aesthetic is much nicer, but I would consider 1 piece surrounds in certain rentals as they don't usually leak as there aren't joints.

Obviously, those usually come in the standard 60", I'm not sure about 58".

I think the three piece fiberglass surround might work, as you can cut it down to 58". I don't like those as much as I find they are more likely to leak in the corners.

You could also see what other waterproof rigid or semi-rigid sheets HD might carry. I know they have full sized sheets of a board that looks like white square tiles, and can be cut to size. I don't actually know if these are meant to use in showers, I have seen them in bathroom walls.

Account Closed · Answer

@Nicholas TenBrink, If I am reading you post correctly the error came when you put the den shield in first. Your tubs and surrounds are meant to be installed stud to stud, by installing the den shield you ate up valuable real estate.

It would be easier to remove the den shield and give yourself the room required to install the new system. Once installed you can do the sheetrock repair around the tub.

These tub systems if installed correctly will keep the water away from the wall so the substrate is not necessary.

Nicholas TenBrink · Answer

@Ben , Thank you, that is what I have been looking for and for what ever reason could not find it. Oddly enough I have that same tile in the bathroom too!

@Everyone , Thank you very much for your input! I think for this round i'm going to go with the glue up option, but I completely understand that going with a direct to stud solution would be much more preferable and or go with tiling the walls. It would of made this whole ordeal much simpler and much fast to get resolved in the first place.

Ben Vanek · Answer

We have used a 5 piece, trim to fit surround in the past for this application. If installed properly, the only maintenance should be cleaning and recaulking the surround to tub joint, but that is true with a tile surround as well. We have purchased these at Menards and The Home Depot. See link for similar product.

https://www.menards.com/main/bath/bathtubs-showers...

I believe there used to be a cheaper version as well, around $100, but it's too flimsy and I would not recommend that one.

Good luck!

David Moore · Answer

@Nicholas TenBrink

I disagree with the comments that fiberglass surrounds are not reliable compared to tile.  I love that you can put them right to studs.  They are quicker and moisture is not getting through an overlapped seam..not a chance.  The only issue is the wet wall (where water inlets are will need green treated sheet rock at a minimum - under the surround).   Home Depot sells a surround that will fit that space.  I had the same issue.   The link is below.  The surround in my kids bathroom has this surround, with the side pieces (like L's) overlapping the rear peace a little, glued in, and sealed with caulk...not a drip in 15 years.  We put the same surround in a bathroom we remodeled in one of my properties.  Not a problem.

Also, save time and have a handyman do it.  That's my take.  I do agree with the other comments...$250.00 is affordable.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/MUSTEE-Durawall-30-in-x...

Jessica Grewe · Answer

Yes, Menard's is in MN.  I use them the most when needing building supplies.  They are the least expensive on most items.  Also if you have a Fleet Farm by you they are closing out their tile and carpet sections.  At least they are in Rochester.  I got some tile for more than 50% off there and redid my own kitchen back splash.

Mindy Jensen · Answer

@Nicholas TenBrink, in years past, I have had success at Menard's. I think they're in Minnesota, right?

JD Martin · Answer

If you want cheap, you cannot get cheaper than this:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Peerless-Avondale-High-Gl...

You can trim this to size.

Affordable tub/shower wall solutions?

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