Bathtub Surround...what are my options?

15 years ago

So we're remodeling the family bath, used by my three daughters, and I've been trying to figure out the whole tub surround issue. I currently have standard 1960's 4x4 mauve tile, and I hate the grout lines, mildew, etc. I'd like to do some kind of solid surround, but I think the swanstone/corian just looks too hotel-y, and most of the one-piece acrylic models look kind of cheap. So what are my other options? I saw some large format Porcelanosa tiles at Expo Design Ctr, which would drastically reduce the number of grout lines, but they seemed pretty pricey. In searching the THS archives, I saw where someone mentioned a thin granite surround, but there was no follow-up. Anyone have any info or pics on other products, or any general input?

Also, related to this....my kids want glass doors on the tub, rather than a shower curtain. I don't (hate the way you can't keep the track clean), but it's their bathroom that I rarely use, so I'm willing to give in on this point. Are there any doors that have minimal or no frames, and thus would be easier to keep clean? I suggested one of those glass screens that encloses half the tub, but DH says it'd be too drafty. Is there anything else out there?

Thanks for any input.

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angiesmom22

13 years ago

Oops! I meant to also ask if you put in glass doors and if so, what kind and do you like them. Thanks again!

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Comments (8)

sarahandbray
15 years ago
When I was looking into it, one store recommended some type of solid surface that looked like Corian to me (kind of speckley w/a matte finish). I didn't love it, so I didn't look into it further.

I personally have not found many choices other than tile or larger slabs of marble/granite. I'm not a huge tile-around-the-tub girl (love the look--but just because I hate to clean it--and don't have a housekeeper), so I went for a Vikkrell tub and shower surround (Ensemble 32" Curve Bath/Shower--18" deep)--total for tub and surround was $380. I kind of did my scrimping there, since the surround doesn't bother me, and chose to splurge in other areas, like the tile, the Panasonic WhisperWarm exhaust fan, and possibly the sconces.

Oh, and I'm going with a shower curtain (just because I think it's fun to pick those out and rotate occasionally...plus the cleaning issue you mentioned), so the average person that uses the bathroom wouldn't even notice that the surround's not tiled--the majority of our houseguests are my parents or my old college roomates that visit maybe once or twice a year.

That was my justification, but that's just me. I'd be curious to see if there are other non-tile solutions I hadn't thought of.

Good luck!!

Sarah from Albany, NY
nkkp
15 years ago
FWIW - I'm using a curtain in my son's new bath. I figure it's his for the next 15 years and mine for the 50+ after that! Plus, it's like a puppy - everyone will 'take care of it'- for the first week then mom ends up cleaning everything for the next 10 years!
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snowyshasta
15 years ago
We have a granite surround - it's 2cm, I'm not sure whether that's what you saw elsewhere as thin or not. Same material as we have on the vanity top.

You could probably find more minimal frames for your tub question, but I don't know that you can get around the track issue? I hate it, too, thus shower curtain for our kids' bathroom tub. I wonder whether you could do a swinging door, even with the tub underneath it? So it'd swing open and closed instead of sliding?
nancy_j
15 years ago
I am currently in the process of searching for tub doors.One that I found has the option of using a small center guide and and smooth quarter round piece for the threshold. Kinda hard to explain, but there is no bottom track. They can be used with the heavy 3/8 in. glass, too.The link below shows how it works. It is made by CR Laurence and the link is to a company that carries them.Hope this helps.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cottage Series Doors
charlikin
15 years ago
My tub door is a frameless glass slider with an L-shape channel on the bottom. Really easy to clean. (My old aluminum-framed door had thin grooves that were *impossible*!!!)
hudsonleigh
Original Author
15 years ago
Well, like I said, I personally would have preferred a shower curtain, but.....my older daughter once fell out of a curtained tub in a hotel when she was younger, and ever since has been afraid of tubs with curtains. The middle one is a little OCD, and can't stand that the curtain might blow in and touch her with its "inherent grunginess". LOL, these kids! The little one hasn't developed any issues yet, but give her time! Teen angst is enough as it is, I'm giving in!

Hey, Nancy_J, that looks very promising. Best thing I've seen yet. I really like the Hydroslide door also on that site, but I'm leery of not being able to reach around the fixed panel to turn on water, etc. Guess I could have the moving door on the front end, but then it might feel a little claustrophobic when you take a bath. I'm thinking this one through.

For those who are interested, in my further internet travels today I found a bi-fold tub door (though, no one who carries/installs it), and for the surround, OnyxStone, which looks like corian but comes in gloss finishes as well; and Soterra granite, which is thinner than countertop granite and comes in panels. I think the granite option may be out of my price range, but worth looking into, I guess.

http://www.glasscraftersinc.com/
http://www.onyxcollection.com/
http://soterrastone.com/
angiesmom22
13 years ago
Hey hudsonleigh,I was researching tub surrounds and ran across this forum. Was just wondering what option you ended up going with and how you are liking it. Thanks!

Bathtub Surround...what are my options?

angiesmom22

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Bathtub Surround...what are my options?

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