Hello Just updating the whirlpool, going from a Kholer cast iron with brass jets to a new Juccuzzi with the plastic jets. Since it has a nice 1" high tile lip, the caulkless tube surround with no corners seams to fit perfect. The SwanStone is nice, in fact we ordered it, but all the cutting and calking for the shampoo rack and tight corners require cement board behind it, in case it leaks water! http://www.theswancorp.com/index.php?prod=503 Also bringing the swanstone down to a shower pan or tub tile lip is a BIG issue. Furring the wall and bringing the cement board into the lip is impractical so a vapor barrier must be used and silicone the back of the vapor barrier to the inside of the lip is recommended but does not sound durable! See > > http://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=43323 Swanstone states there must be cement board behind it and Industrial Super calk in the corners. Very expensive caulking that will not mildew. The Sterling 3 piece system from Lowe's is an acrylic molded interlock system that is caulkess and does not required cement board behind it. http://www.lowes.com/pd_89229-721-71224100-47_0__?productId=3124623&Ntt=bath tub wall surround&pl=1¤tURL=?Ntt=bath+tub+wall+surround&facetInfo= Therefore this 3 piece acrylic system below with the rounded corners just seems like it really holds water. I really like the engineering on this. Rounded corners and interlocking that gets tighter as it is pushed down! The 1" tile lip and the surrounnd that overlays it seems to be the best system I have seen. To make the Swanstone this water proof seems to be impossible at any price! BTW. The 1/2" plywood floor flexed every time we walked in. 62 split entry home. So we put 3/4" interlocking titanium treaded plywood over the 1/2" event under the tub and then 1/4" Hardy board cement board under the tub skirt and all over the whole bath for a good base for the porcalin tile floor. Any comments or suggestions?
Nice looking unit. Looks like it will seal really well. I really don't like caulking and I have to strip ours and redo it. I have been looking at the new non-silicone outdoor caulking we used on the house siding and I think I will go with that next time.
Hi Smoke Show What are you confused about? I was thinking of installing SwanStone solid surface, but cement board and caulking is needed to seal it up. Then I heard about the caulkless tub surround system and was wondering if anyone tried it. I found someone did on the other site and it worked out extreemly well. What is your experience? Do you have the old tiles, or solid surface or the new well engineered acrylic surround? The pics in my post show how the grooved seams in the enginered acrylic system fit together tight!
What interests you more, Don? Ease of install or the look? I personally think a tile or stone surround will look nicer, but will obviously be more expensive, more maintenance and prep work, etc. For ease not installation and piece of mind, the interlocking panels will be the way to go..... Better get the "boss's" input on this one!
I gotta ask, what is titanium treaded plywood? Google returned nothing when I looked. I went with tile when I redid my bath. The surrounds are easier, but the Mrs didn't want the hotel bathroom look. I've replaced the caulk around the tub once in almost 4 years. Small price to pay for a happy wife.
I put in the sterling caulk less surround about 5 years ago. I love it, no leaks, and no more stripping caulk all the time. Installation was a breeze and it looks nice!
Hello Sorry, It is Plytanium Brand - Dry Ply tounge & grove water plywood with water repelant coating for approx $50.00 per 4x8 sheet http://www.buildgp.com/product.aspx?pid=4882
It looks like a nice install Don. I did a tile wall over our tub on a reno project. I furred out the wall, put in heavy plastic, caulked over the tub lip and installed the cement board. No leaks in 8 or 9 years. Original silicone caulk in the corners and where the tile meets the tub. I haven't heard of issues where caulkless surrounds leak. The floor deflection is more concerning with the bounce. Did it stiffen up with the plywood? I had sheet vinyl installed on our bathroom floor. I figured with kids getting out of the tub and missing the toilet while potty training, I did not want to be cleaning grout on the floor.
I installed a 4 piece caulkless tub and surround in my last house. We only lived there about a year after I installed it but it looked great the whole time and never leaked a drop with rowdy toddlers splashing around in it every day. I would do it again. My in-laws are doing a 4 piece stirling (?) shower stall right now. It isn't done, but it seems pretty fool proof too.
Thanks for the info. The sterling is a Lowe's special but it works good! I did bypass on the "Made for Lowes" Jacuuzi with those tiny chincey water jets! I went with a Jacuzzi Cetra model with optional heater with the built in arm rests trucked in from Cali! Still 60 by 32 skirted tub but what a difference! http://www.faucet.com/jacuzzi-cet60...&cagpspn=pla&gclid=CNeF-5jm5LwCFaE7Ogod5xEAfg
