How do I replace fiberglass tub surround with tile?
by
Faith
+6
I live in a 70 year old house that had a lot of poor "upgrades" before we bought it. One that has always bugged me is that the fiberglass tub surround covers the bathroom window. It's a frosted glass block window that doesn't open, but it could brighten the room. Interior fiberglass shutters could cover the window during showers for more complete privacy (window is on the front porch). So my question is, since the surround looks separate from the tub, can I pull it out and tile the wall instead? I assume the tub has a lip that goes up behind the surround. Will tile work with that? Or will I need a new tub as well? (Assuming it doesn't get wrecked pulling out the surround, it's in good condition.)
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The surround panels can be removed but it will damage the walls. I assume there is drywall behind the panels. Since there will be damage from the removal replace the "drywall" with cement board then you can tile. Another option, if the damage isn't that bad, you can patch the damage and use a waterproofing membrane over the walls then tile.
https://www.homedepot.com/s/waterproof%2520membrane?NCNI-5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0KkcorhcPM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhnkAEENy-8
If it is separate pieces, your plan should work.
HelloI this link might be helpful.
https://homepander.com/how-to-remove-a-tub-surround-and-replace-with-tile/
Exciting project. We completely removed our surround and tub and placed the cement backer board then subway tiles along with a new fiberglass tub- because the tub was damaged. We were very pleased with the results. Best wishes with your update.
You should be prepared by expecting some damage to the walls behind the surround.
Our surround is in 3 pieces, and from watching the contractor put it in and thinking about what we saw behind the surround, the removal will affect the walls behind it.
Depending on the condition of the walls, you could either patch as a repair or replace if too far gone.
Hello, You should be able to remove the surround and tile the wall with no problem. Remember to get Adhesive grout that is waterproof..
You might be able to remove the surround, but you'll need to be careful not to damage the tub. Often the 2 pieces are attached with adhesive. The wall will probably need repairs before tiling.
I had another thought on privacy…you can add static cling film. I did that in our bathroom and you can barely see a shadow, nothing revealing.
Thank you all for your advice and links!
Unless the person who redid the bathroom (and took a lot of poor shortcuts in other things) in the 70s or 80 put in drywall, I suspect I'm going to have a mess on my hands, as the old walls in the house are lath and plaster. I had not thought of that. I'll definitely need to rethink how badly I want the change, since I'm almost as old as the house and will have to do the gut and cleanup work myself.
If it is the plastic insert type certainly it can come off. You will probably need to buy greenboard for waterproofing and then you can tile the walls and the floor.