Kohler Archer has a lower height for the basin depth because of the overflow. But the Kohler overflow is more expensive. Jacuzzi Signature has a nice tub with good reviews 60 x 30 with apron. Pro Flo has a tub with good reviews 60 x 32 with apron. Pro Flo is Ferguson's house brand. Their tubs, including the Mirabelle, are made by Clarke. This post was edited by Anna_in_TX on Sun, Mar 23, 14 at 14:00

My first step would be to recommend you go to the manufacturer's website and get the specific framing/attachment instructions for your tub. Your tub might need a horizontal 2x4 ledger just under the 60" flange for support, and the flange itself may or may not be screwed into the wall studs. That will dictate how close the flange needs or does not need to be to the framing. As to the flange detail, you'll first cover the studs with a barrier, usually 6-mil polyethylene sheeting. Staple this to the studs and let it lap over the flange of the tub. You'll want the face of the durock to at least be flush to the face of the flange. Having the cement board slightly proud of the face of the flange is okay, too. If the cement board will not satisfy this as things are now, then use thin 1/2" furring strips nailed off on the faces of each stud to bring the framing closer to the flange. If furring, your poly would go over the furring strips. The cement board can be held just above the tub's flange. That way your bottom course of tile will cover the flange and stop about a grout width off of the tub. That tile/tub gap will later be caulked. Ignore the reference to "kerdi" in the following drawings. The two following sketches show tub sidewall details both with and without furring strips. In your case, you'd want the poly between the cement board and the framing.

Another vote for preformed showers not being in anyway perfect. I just ripped out a few and considered switching to tub and tile. The issue with ours is that they had foam for stabilization of the floor. Foam deteriorates and then the floor cracked. Mortar much better but just a reminder that one piece are not infallible. I have a 7 yo boy who has grown up in a tile and tub. The bathtub tile is not an issue. The grout around the toilet is a bit of one. But a big deal - no. I know things are regional but I haven't seen sheet vinyl used in a new home in a long time let alone a custom home. We built a super cheap rental house that has tile floors - but one piece showers. Vinyl rips, shrinks, burns, stains. If you have never had old vinyl, you need to look at some. Tile is pretty durable. Just to give you an idea of what this house is like - vinyl siding, vinyl windows, thermafoil cabinets, no crown etc. Interestingly, the worst cheap out we did was the showers and I wish we did better tubs and tile.

Initially I wanted to use something like this, the Kohler hydro rail system, use the original shower head, and add a hand shower. However, it is a little pricey considering there are relatively inexpensive slide bars that are reasonably attractive for a lot less, and it is for a kids’ bathroom that’s less than two years old. We just kept thinking he was so close to being able to reach, he’d grow into it, but he’s needing to be more independent faster than he’s growing taller. I started looking at Moen since that’s what’s in the wall, but the Moen slide bars in the lower price range are pretty terrible in appearance. They look more like utilitarian combination grab bars. There are some better ones that are a little more expensive and have cover plates, (which I think I need if I have to use a spacer in the tub surround) but if I’m back up near the price range of the Hydrorail, I like that it’s more streamline. I think I read that the Delta bracket on the actual slide bar is “universal,” which is why I wondered if it might be a good starting place to modify something to use the Moen Magnetix handheld. Delta does have some more attractive bars, though, so if I’m starting from scratch I’ll spend more time looking there. I’m still holding out hope on the Magnetix until I’m sure I can’t use it with any kind of slide bar.