I've done showers that had all kinds of windows. I'm not saying it can't be done. BUT. be aware there's a risk associated with it. <a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Bill_Vincent/media/Flaherty033.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="" border="0" alt=" photo Flaherty033.jpg"/></a> <a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Bill_Vincent/media/Allen120.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="" border="0" alt=" photo Allen120.jpg"/></a>

In my Kohler cast iron shower pan, I use something called R.O.G.3 Its a spray. I can't remember how I came across it. Supposedly it is recommended by Kohler. It works well. I wash my light gray shower pan about once every 3 months. I am the only one using it and I don't go barefoot. So it stays very clean. I could wash it more often, but I can hardly tell the difference. I clean the walls about once or twice per year, because I wipe the entire shower down after every shower with a microfiber auto detailing towel that I got at The Rag Company. Wiping down everything prevents any build up of soap and keeps all areas from getting moldy. I turn my fan on, and run about 30 minutes, when I start my shower and have never had any mold issues in the bathroom. Nothing steams up. the towels I use for drying are: edgeless-avalanche-20-x-40-super-plush-drying-microfiber-towel I hang it over my glass shower door and it dries beautifully. When I wash the microfiber, I wash on hot water with only other microfiber products. You don't want to wash microfiber with cotton, etc, because the lint from these other fibers are believed to "clog" the grabbing capacity of the microfiber. I used a squeegee for a few months and hated the process. A towel is SO MUCH easier IMO.

I don't see a photo. So to start with I'll ask was the tub installed in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions? Most instructions include how the tub should be secured, and how the tub flange should relate to the tile backer board hung on the walls. With that out of the way... My "blind" response? If the cement board is proud of the tub flange, no worries. The bottom course of wall tile will cover the tub flange. Typically the bottom course of wall tile will be held above the tub deck by the with of a grout line, and that gap will later be filled with a bead of caulk. Often times the caulk can be color- and texture-matched to the grout. If the tub flange is proud of the cement board, yes, that can be an issue. If it just gets tiled over, the protruding flange can cause the bottom course of wall tile to kick out of plane with the tile above. It'll skew the tiles themselves plus it'll skew the vertical linearity of the tile in the wall-to-wall corners. If there is any movement in the tub, from loading with water, from bathers, any movement in the tub can cause friction squeaks because of differential movement with the tile being in contact with the flange. If the tub installation is fine, the existing cement board can be removed. 1/4" rips (or whatever thickness is needed) from a 2x4 can be fastened to the edge of each stud to pack out the framing, then the cement board can be reinstalled over the packed out studs so the cement board properly clears the tub flange. If the tub does not have to be reset, that is my preferred solution. An alternative would be to thinset and screw a second layer of cement board over the existing cement board. The thinset is there to fill any voids between the two layer to prevent differential movement. The long screws are what will fasten the new cement board to the studs. Regardless, make sure whatever waterproofing that is to be used on the walls is reconsidered and adjusted if required.

I know this is an old thread. I'm comtemplating if I want a tub at all but if I get an air or a jetted tub, if the sides have stone around, how do you reach the motor if you need a repair? Just curious if anyone has dealt with that situation. For my current outdated tub, I can reach the motor through the the cabinet; I have a cut out there. I could do the same thing. But adding a slab of quartz to a tub make for a very expensive tub. Dominique, what did you decide and are you happy with your decision?