Tub Surround Installation Steps

Tub surround installation, though difficult, beats putting in ceramic tile in my book.
Honestly, it's kind of tough, but not tough enough that you can't do it.

There are places out there that will charge you in the thousands of dollars to do this. If you have the spare change, you may want to hire them. If you don't, or just want another notch on your toolbelt...here we go.

Tools Needed

• Screw Gun or screwdriver
• Hole saw or jigsaw
• Caulk gun
• Level

Materials Needed

• Screws
• Caulk
• Blanket

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Go shopping for a new tub surround and find one that is sturdy and mounts to the studs. These run about $400-$700 depending on make and model.
The stud mounted systems are very durable and easier for tub surround installation than the wall mounted ones, trust me.
Don’t buy just yet as you need to measure the stud to stud dimension. Once you've got that done, remove old materials to bare studs of walls.

Put a blanket inside your tub to protect the surface. Once this is done, measure the distance from stud to stud and now go back to the store and buy the system that fits your needs.

You may need a delivery as the box is VERY large and does not fit in most vehicles unless you have a full size van or pick-up truck.
The directions are pretty straightforward for these systems. Number one thing to do is measure the hole placements for the fixtures for the front wall.
If you are incorrect on the hole placements, you will need to buy a new system. Ask me how I know this!

The side wall, the largest piece, goes in first in this tub surround installation process.

Secure it to the studs as directions say, making sure that you have enough secure points to prevent any wobble or soft spots that may give when you push on them.

Now for the fixture side.
Measure the hole distance from the corner where the side wall meets the fixture (front) wall and make your marks, then saw out the holes. Be extra careful when measuring as I mentioned before.

Once you are sure of the hole placement cut out the holes using a jig saw or hole saw. Try to make the holes as close to the size of the pipe diameters as possible to eliminate gaps.
Most faucet systems have escutcheon plates to hide about an inch but check yours to be sure.

You have the side wall up and now it’s time to install the front This could be tricky as you have to “lock in the corner” to the side wall and get the holes to line up. Some jiggling may be necessary to get the holes just right and you may create a gap between the walls but that’s what caulk is for.

Some systems say they do not require caulk but I caulk anyway just in case.

Once the front wall is in place, secure it to the studs, again checking for soft spots. More screws is better in my book.

The back wall is the easiest. Put the back wall in making sure the corner fit is tight and secure to the studs, again checking for soft spots.
Caulk as needed in the corner.

Well that’s it, now all you have to put the tub faucet and handles back on and caulk the entire system at the seams. I always make sure that the seams where the tub surround meets the walls are caulked well as well as the seams where the walls meet.
Let the caulk dry for at least one day and you, my friend are done with this tub surround installation. Congratulations!







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