Bathroom with shower surround around tub and glass doors.

A tub surround can come as a premade one-piece unit with the tub attached, or be constructed in place from individual pieces or large sheets.

Materials used for a tub surround include:

  • Tile
  • Stone
  • Cultured marble
  • Fiberglass
  • Acrylic

Watch this video to find out more.

Further Information

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Tub surrounds can be a place to really show off your style, especially if you choose ceramic, porcelain, or glass tiles. And if you’re really ambitious, you might even save a little money by doing the installation yourself. Just make sure you waterproof the underlayment before you install the tile. Stone surrounds are more often installed by pros because the materials are a lot more expensive.

Another popular surround surface is cultured marble. Making this stuff is a very labor intensive process, so cost will vary widely, but it makes a great surround. Just be careful not to use abrasive cleaners as the gel coat finish can be scratched.

The same can be said of fiberglass or acrylic surround. These are the most inexpensive and quickest to install. In fact, some units even snap together from several different pieces which makes it easier to get them into close quarters.

Before the surround goes up, the tub and shower valves will have to go into the wall.

Editorial Contributors
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Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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