How-to build a tub surround?

don_the_amateur · 11-21-2005, 08:01 PM

I am having a new tub installed but need to first build an elevated area around it.

Since there will be water around it what material should I use?

There will be tile on top of it so could I just use plywood or what building material should I use for the surface and walls?

HandyMac · 11-22-2005, 09:50 AM

Treated ply topped with backer board---the cement/fiber substrate material----will withstand the water best---if any gets past the tile---which should be sealed, BTW.

The walls should be backer board. Then tile/whatever.

crapbathroom · 03-28-2007, 09:04 PM

backerboard is NOT the best, cement is porus remember! you have to seal it before you put your tile on it, we are using a product called denseshield which is wonderful, it's very much like drywall and so it's easy to handle and cut, but it withstands water much better than cement backerboard.

asbestos · 04-09-2007, 02:44 AM

I would have to go with one of the cementious products. There job is not to be waterproof, but to not break down if they do become damp. A water proof membrane can, and should be added for 100% water proofing in areas subject to water.

TileGuy · 04-11-2007, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crapbathroom

backerboard is NOT the best, cement is porus remember! you have to seal it before you put your tile on it, we are using a product called denseshield which is wonderful, it's very much like drywall and so it's easy to handle and cut, but it withstands water much better than cement backerboard.

Dense Shield is about the most unsafe CBU to use. 1/4 or 1/2 inch Hardie Backer or Durock is the way to go, water proof it for good measure.
Dense Shield, made like drywall, falls apart like drywall if it gets wet, and it will eventually get wet. Dense Shield is the "new" green board.

Sorry but cement boad is 100% the way to go and waterproofing is always a good idea no matter what. Dense Shield has a major rep for failures. When you nail or screw Densield you cant sink the head, you cant have tears of any size and the best part is having to skim coat over the nail heads with "cement". Any water behind the membrane will cause it to fall apart.... did they say use cement to cover the nail holes? Cement is pourous right?

I dont mean to be harsh but saying it will withstand water issues better then cement type backer boards is 100% not true. Its quite the opposite.

Daryl in Nanoose · 04-11-2007, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TileGuy

Dense Shield is about the most unsafe CBU to use. 1/4 or 1/2 inch Hardie Backer or Durock is the way to go, water proof it for good measure.
Dense Shield, made like drywall, falls apart like drywall if it gets wet, and it will eventually get wet. Dense Shield is the "new" green board.

Sorry but cement boad is 100% the way to go and waterproofing is always a good idea no matter what. Dense Shield has a major rep for failures. When you nail or screw Densield you cant sink the head, you cant have tears of any size and the best part is having to skim coat over the nail heads with "cement". Any water behind the membrane will cause it to fall apart.... did they say use cement to cover the nail holes? Cement is pourous right?

I dont mean to be harsh but saying it will withstand water issues better then cement type backer boards is 100% not true. Its quite the opposite.

I would have to agree 100%, I have torn apart showers with this stuff and it's really not the way to go.

rohde_d · 08-14-2008, 01:21 PM

Sorry but cement boad is 100% the way to go and waterproofing is always a good idea no matter what. Dense Shield has a major rep for failures. When you nail or screw Densield you cant sink the head, you cant have tears of any size and the best part is having to skim coat over the nail heads with "cement". Any water behind the membrane will cause it to fall apart.... did they say use cement to cover the nail holes? Cement is pourous right?

Can you tell me what you are using to waterproof the cement board? I am installing walk in shower in my house and it has green board on the walls now. I am assuming I can put the cement board on top of this, seal it and them put the tile over that?