Wow, thanks bumble doodle! Tt is great to know that the tub works well as a shower. We are tall too--at least most of us (two of my teenage daughters are twins and one is 5'2" and the other is 5'10", so maybe the short one complains a bit but that's ok, since she complains about everything!) We are getting the non-jetted version. Also, I am hoping that building the deck at the front will help with the water spray. I am pushing the tub back into an alcove under the window the long way (so we get into the tub at the 32" side rather than from the 48" side) and we are trying to go without shower doors in order to make the bath feel open. With a deck, we buy a few more inches of length to help avoid water on the floor. We may not succeed and will put a panel on if we have to. Any thoughts on this?

It can be painted as brass shower enclosures are normally a painted or powder coated finish and possibly brass plated (which I do not know if it will accept any paint well). To make the finish look decent the entire enclosure should be taken down and the metal properly prepared for paint before painting. If your looking to do this yourself and use spray paint the finish will never really truly resemble brushed nickel.

I second millworkman as I just finished a bath remodel with frameless shower enclosure with a door. After research and recommendations, I opted for Showerguard and I don't squeegee. After a shower I turn the hand held shower on the glass to rinse off any bubbles and my looks fine. The only smudge is where my cleaning woman wiped off the EXTERIOR when she was cleaning the glass :-) I would just go with your contractor's recommendation as he is then responsible for making sure everything is correct and correctly installed. Matching hardware wasn't an issue for me as my hinges, handle and such are oiled rubbed bronze to match the rest of my fixtures. I am sure that you would be able to get hardware that complements your fixtures.

I can’t answer your original question (sorry!), but I can clear up the other stuff. ;) My architect agrees. He says if u do put Kerdi over wall board there will be a lip and a problem for tile Since Kerdi Waterproofing Membrane, not Kerdi-Board, goes over the green board, there is no lip: “Waterproofing for tiled showers with a bathtub can be done in a couple of ways, both equally effective. KERDI-BOARD is ideal for use instead of gypsum or cement board in cases where the wall studs are accessible, while the KERDI waterproofing membrane is perfect for application over wall boards already in place.” Schluter®-KERDI-TUBKIT The Schluter®-KERDI-TUBKIT contains all the components necessary to create a fully waterproof and vapor tight bathtub surround assembly. Designed to create a fully waterproof and vapor-tight enclosure for tiled bathtub surrounds Contains waterproofing membrane, and waterproofing strip, pipe seal, mixing valve seal, and sealing and bonding compound