Is it possible to install a pre formed tub surround directly onto an existing ceramic tile bath enclosure?

Question

Our bathroom is tiled with grey tile over the entire perimeter including the tub enclosure to the ceiling. The way the bathroom is situated, the tile flows completely around the walls with no breaks at the tub line. We do not wish to remove all of that tile and removing only the tile around the tub would be hazardous to the adjacent tiles on the walls.

Any advice?

Answer 1

Yes your local big box hardware store sells them, look for enclosures that have 5 piece sections where you will install the sides and the back first. then you install the corner pieces over the other installed pieces so in other words this will fit any tub. You glue it and seal seams with silicone. It works for a quick fix but at some time this will come loose and you still have a problem X's 2.  

Answer 2

My middle daughter has an older bathroom with the same type of tiling. She had an acrylic preformed tub installed.  (usually called drop in bathtub) The installers did not damage any of the existing tiles. The form covers her old tub.  It was installed in one afternoon. She loves it!! If I remember correctly, the final cost was under $1,000.  Much less than replacing the old tub.

(((Rammie)))

Answer 3

Hey Ramjet,

They are both correct. However, there are companies that can come in and fiberglass your entire enclosure and your tub. The tub can be deepened or not. It will end up looking like one giant piece. Go to Home Depot or Lowe's they have subs that due this. Also, check your local yellow pages for bathroom contractors.

Bill

Answer 4

How much do you want to spend and how long do you want it to last?

Fiberglass tub surrounds only last 3 to 5 years because they are porous. The finish on fiberglass is sprayed on so when you clean it you wear the finish away in a short time. It will only cost $200 to $500 but what about your time and the hassle of having to do it again in the future and its money down the drain.

Acrylic wall and tub liners cost 10 X more more but last 10 X longer (30 to 45 years) and then you don't have to replace them so it's a time and hassle savings.

You can't get great prices and quality on the acrylic for DIY's. The acrylic companies like Bath Fitter, do 40 to 50 acrylic walls and tubs in a week so they buy the materials in bulk and can install them with a lifetime warranty (Bath Fitter gives a lifetime warranty on their materials, labor and caulking) for near the same price as you can do it yourself and you get no warranty when you do it yourself.

P.S. The guy who says his tub surround has lasted 14 years I would like to see how it looks and also wonder how often they use it and how often they clean it because all those things factor into how long it will last. The more you scrub the faster you clean away the finish.  Fiberglass gets dull and dirty fast - those are it's flaws.  Be careful because some fiberglass companys at the bix box home fix-it stores call their products acrylic when they are really only fiberglass,  painted with acrylic paint.

You can identify fiberglass by looking at the underside of the materials and if you see fibers, its fiberglass. Acrylic is one solid sheet, one color, no fibers.

Answer 5

You can buy or have a company install what they call a tub "cover" - it goes into the existing tub and area, covering it.  They are lighter than a full rip out and replace tub and surround, and supposedly cost less.

Answer 6

Randy's answer is correct.  The type of tub enclosures that he is describing tells you on the directions that it can be installed over tiles.  

We did this with ours about 14 years ago.  It is sticking well so far.  There have not yet been any problems with it.