Yesterday I went back and applied the Epoxy Grout to the tub. I used Laticrete's SpectraLock Pro Epoxy grout and only mixed roughly a 50% mix. I added a hair more powder to make the mix a little stiffer than specified on the package. First thing I did was clean the tub again and buff out the edge on top. Then I taped off the area that would not see grout and protected the blower holes from dropping epoxy grout. I rammed the grout into the little void again with my finger and smoothed it close. I did this all around and then before using any sponge removed the tape. This left the job a little rough - so then I went back with the sponge and my finger (this time without the glove) and smoothed things down. The uneven height change made it hard to keep super even so I took my time and slowly added and removed a little grout here and there. I found using the baby sponge that came with the grout perfect if I used it like a block plane and gave almost no pressure. Then a smooth with my finger and it looked great. Took me two hours just to prep for grout, grout and clean up. Quite a change from last week. No more shadow lines and the colour is almost a dead match. I find that epoxy grouts darken a little as they dry and have not yet used LAticrete's white so I hope this will not happen much. Right now or rather yesterday when I left it was like Laticrete made this grout colour for the Blizzard Ceasar Stone Slab. Looks so much better and hopefully will stay put and make cleaning the tub a little easier for my client.

Has anyone experienced any quality issues with the Underscore? My mom put in a 60x32 drop in Underscore into a tub/shower application about 8 years ago, but now needs to be replaced (should have been an alcove model with flange). We loved the original one, great depth and super comfortable. No quality issues except for a nick when dropping a screwdriver into the tub on accident. I believe it was installed in a mortar bed, because the bottom feels solid with no flex and I'm over 200 pounds. The alcove version looks slightly different, mostly 2 inches narrower, 2 inches shorter, and a slightly steeper back. My concerns, however, are that looking for the best price on the replacement, I keep seeing issues with cracking and damage. During delivery, I understand, things happen, but I saw one review where the tub cracked 2 years in. That has me really concerned because it's going to be surrounded by tile, including the apron, in a full-tile wall bath. If it needs replacing, the whole bathroom will need to be torn out. I'm hoping it's just the 1 out of 1,000 who wrote a review because most people don't, especially if they don't have a problem.

First, Thank you both for responding! :-) This is an alcove, but you bring up yet another thing to contemplate! The angle of the lumbar support… The Underscore has an angle of 15 degrees, and the Expanse has an angle of 25. I have no idea which is better! In our bathroom, the lumbar support will be opposite of the main tub entry, so I don’t see it as a problem, but I do appreciate the heads up. I originally was drawn to the Expanse for the great reviews I found online - most of the “best tubs for 2020” type articles all mention it. But I also liked the shape as one of my daughter’s complaints was how claustrophobic she feels when bathing or showering. I think a curved curtain rod will help this, but the curved tub seemed to be a good idea too. Now I worry the curve will be a problem as it will take up a bit more space and not allow for shower doors should one want to install them. So many decisions and this is just a bathroom!

There's no anti-slip surface in my Underscore, but probably that's because it's a drop-in and not intended to be used for someone standing up showering. The website says the alcove version has "textured bottom surface." The American Standard site says the studio alcove has "textured floor." You might want to see if you can look at these in person in a Fergusons or other plumbing supply store. I couldn't tell from the sites, but if I were picking from these 2 I think I'd want the one that has the most "flat" inches, so it's safer to step in and out of. I couldn't tell online which one that would be, but seems like it would be the Kohler since you said the slope angle on the AS was greater. We have shorter AS alcove tubs upstairs and they have texture on the bottom, but not the scratchy kind I remember from childhood; it's more of a ripply surface.