What is a Tub Surround: How to Choose a Tub Surround For Your Bathroom

After purchasing a new bathtub or even sprucing up an existing bath space, you may find that your bathtub doesn’t quite match the aesthetics of your bathroom. Moreover, there seems to be a great deal of space between your walls and the bathtub itself. Well, fear not, as bathtub surrounds are designed to fix that very problem-creating an area that supports your bathtub, protecting your bath space from water overflow and water damages while creating a more complete look and feel.

• What is a sub surround?
• What are tub surrounds made of?
• How many square feet is a standard tub surround?
• Installation – new vs existing
• Using a pre-brought kit vs hiring a professional
• How much does it cost to replace a tub surround?

What is a Tub surround?

A bathtub surround describes the area around your bathtub-specifically the tiles or walls that encompass or surround the exterior of your bathtub. The surround is important for not only aesthetic purposes-it also functions as a buffer for any excess water from continual shower or bath use and for structural integrity between the walls and your tub. In simpler terms, think of it as a vertical bathtub for your walls, as it is non-porous and will not trap water inside. If your surround is made up of simple drywall, please consider swapping it out for a new surround that is non-porous so that you do not have to deal with the possibility of structural damage down the road.

What are Tub Surrounds Made of?

Similar to bathtub materials, surrounds are constructed from non-porous materials so that water may not carry a potential danger of creating structural damage. Common surround materials include acrylic, cultured marble, composite stone, fiberglass, and solid surface. The important factors to note when choosing the correct material for you is the price range, the flexibility of the material, and sturdiness.

Lifespan-10 years

The following materials have a projected lifespan of around 10 years:

Acrylic-Popular option as it is available in a variety of styles and is easy to install and replace. These are acrylic sheets glued to your water-resistant drywall, but their added flexibility results in the lowest longevity compared to other surrounding materials. 

Tile-Similar to acrylic, tile can fit any sized bathroom so long as you have enough to fill the required area. They can also be reinforced with fiberglass for around $300, greatly improving their durability and longevity, especially when compared to acrylic.

Fiberglass-An inexpensive solution to any bathroom problem, fiberglass is cheap to manufacture, lightweight, and can be used for various applications. The material is naturally water-resistant but also porous, so you should consider replacing it every 10 years to prevent it from warping.

Lifespan-20 years+

The following materials will last around 20 years+:

Cultured Marble-An engineered stone combining an adhesive to create a material with the look and feel of cultured marble. Although more difficult to install than tile or acrylic, cultured marble has increased durability and a very vibrant aesthetic, making it well worth the money. 

Solid Surface-Similar to cultured marble, solid surface mixes composite stone materials such as quartz and granite and combines them with a strong adhesive such as resin to create a material that is long-lasting and has the appearance of natural stone at a quarter of the price. Composite materials have high durability and are scratch resistant, making them a high-quality choice for any bathroom. However, they do carry a steep price tag of around $800-1200 just for a tub surround when compared to $300-400 for a lower-quality material. However, solid surface and composite materials will not require frequent repairs and replacing, which offsets the initial high cost. 

What is the Best Sealant for Your Surround?

Although very similar, both latex and silicone have some key important differences. First, caulk and sealant is interchangeable with silicone and latex. Caulk refers to a latex acrylic and sealant refers to a silicone-based binding agent. 

Pros and cons of Caulk:

Pros:

• Easy to apply
• Can be painted over
• Comes in a wide variety of material

Cons:

• Will turn brittle and crack
• Cannot handle high temperature changes
• Is not ideal for porous surfaces

Pros and Cons of Sealant:

Pros:

• More water resistant than standard caulk
• Flexible material, allowing for more versatile applications

Cons:

• Harder to apply than standard caulk
• Will still degrade in a similar time frame than standard caulk
• Harder to remove after application
• Cannot be painted over
• Strong odor

In general, you should use sealant or silicone to secure your tub surround as it can weather the heavy humidity and moisture of your bathroom.

How many square feet is a standard tub surround?

Your average bath surround will measure in around 1,920 square feet. This number will generally differ depending on the size of your bathtub and the space you have available in your bathroom. Typical pre-constructed surrounds have a length of 60 inches, a height of 32 inches and a width of 32 inches-this generally can fit a small to moderate sized bathtub. This extends to higher or larger sizes which come in with a length of 60 inches, a height of 72 inches and a width of 60 inches. These numbers are for pre-constructed surrounds, but for the purposes of tiling, you need to measure the width and height of your three surrounding walls to determine how much tile is appropriate or needed for your surround. As there is no uniform size for your bathroom space, it is important to measure out how much tile is necessary keeping in mind that there will be a certain amount of ‘waste’ as tile doesn’t always fit in perfectly.

Installation – new vs existing tub

If you have chosen to DIY your surround install, you will first need these tools:

• Drill
• Hole Saw
• Nails and screws
• Measuring Level
• Marker
• Tape Measure
• Caulk and Caulk gun
• Tub or shower surround kit.
• Trowel

Most shower and tub surround kits afford you two different options for securing the panels-nails or glue. For installation purposes, the methods are very similar, only differing on how you wish to secure the panels themselves.

1. Remove any obstructions and prep your drywall

To allow the panels to bond properly, you need to make sure that the wall is clean to prevent any obstructions from mixing with the glue.

2. Dry fit your shower or tub enclosure

Before installing, lay your panels against your shower and make sure they fit before applying any caulk or screws.

3.Install the side panels

To create a more solid base, you want to install the side panels first by lining them up with your tub. Apply caulk on the panel in a zigzag pattern, then apply a bead on the wall, spreading it evenly with a trowel. Press firmly, releasing only after a good 1-2 minutes then applying a line of adhesive at the base before the bathtub.

4.Install the back panel

As the above step, lay a bead of caulk, making sure that the caulk stays within the panel boundaries before pressing firmly, releasing only after a minute then applying adhesive at the base.

5.Repeat process with the corner panels

Install the remaining panels in the same way, then allow adhesive to dry for at least 24 hours.

Using pre-bought kits vs. hiring professional

The immediate difference between using a kit and a hired professional is the price difference. Shower kits will run anywhere between $300-1000 depending on the material used. A professional starts between $700-1000 depending on negotiated rates, not including the cost of materials. However, you do retain the benefits of their experience and knowledge especially if you have no experience installing a tub kit surround by yourself. They also can help with any size issues or material difficulties that may occur such as something not fitting properly or if you want custom work done to the surround that you are unsure of how to approach. Many factory surrounds are typically bare, so additional shelves may be desired inside of the shower or tub walls which the professional can assist with.

What comes in a pre-bought kit?

Pre-bought kits come with panels of your desired material that need to be glued or fastened against your drywall.

How much does it cost to replace a bathtub and surround?

As discussed above, this price will differ largely depending on whether you are DIY or hiring a professional to replace your bathtub and surround. A surround will run you anywhere between $300-1200 depending on the quality of the material you desire. A bathtub replacement will lump an additional $300-1200+ depending on the material as well. Combine that with professional rates and it is easy to see why DIY is a preferred solution.

While your bathtub is a very integral part of your bathroom, upkeep on its surrounds is also crucial. While it may seem costly at first, the additional money paid can help prolong the life of your bathtub and help upkeep costs remain low. So whether your needs are practical or aesthetic, a bathtub surround can easily fit your bathroom.