Tub surround with window?

NHNailbangah · Jun 25, 2010

I have been asked by a customer to find a quality acrylic or fiberglass tub surround that can be installed in a 30"x60". with a 24"x30" window on the 5' wall.

Normally I would do this with tile, but this customer is adamant about NO TILE, floors, walls.

The only experience I have with surrounds are cheap box store versions or one piece units in new construction.

This customer wants quality and is willing to pay for it, something rare these days.

I did a search, but didn't come up with anything.Though I thought I read something about this on here a while ago.

Any help would be much appreciated,

Thanks,
Wayne

tcleve4911 · Jun 25, 2010

I often get that request of a window in a shower area.
I don't ever recall seeing a production surround offered with a hole cut in it for a window.
Sabre Yacht up here in Maine does a lot of that type of work i.e. custom shaped showers and fiberglass portholes.
Contact your fiberglass guy who is creative and ask him for guidance.
Heck...you two could be onto a new market!!!!!!
The transition from the window to the surround will be the issue.
1.) waterproofing
2.) wall thickness
3.) shape of back wall (typically they have some curve to them)

Good luck & keep us posted on your findings :thumbsup:

thom · Jun 25, 2010

Use a solid surface like Corian. You can get them in 1/4" thickness designed specifically for vertical applications.

kevjob · Jun 25, 2010

try www.sterlingplumbing.com the Vikrell series has a surround that can be cut and they have a window trim kit for it.

WarnerConstInc. · Jun 25, 2010

I have done numerous surrounds in solid surface.
Everyone loves them, they are super easy to take care of and you have a million choices in colors and styles.

angus242 · Jun 25, 2010

Warner, do you fabricate your own pieces?

WarnerConstInc. · Jun 26, 2010

angus242 said:
Warner, do you fabricate your own pieces?

Yeah I do.

I put in corner shelves and have routed it out and put in another color to create a pattern. I have seen them routed to look like tile as well.

It is great for tub surrounds and showers however, I think vertical applications voids warranty??

NHNailbangah · Jun 26, 2010

try www.sterlingplumbing.com the Vikrell series has a surround that can be cut and they have a window trim kit for it.

Originally that was the direction I was thinking about going, but the Corian sounds really interesting.

I think vertical applications voids warranty??

I don't think it voids the warranty, they sell Corian shower surrounds,I suppose I could make one of these work, but the colors are limited and the prices seem high, I think I would rather buy sheets and fabricate my own.
Here's a link to the shower surrounds.
http://www2.dupont.com/Surfaces/en_US/products/corian/3-wall_shower_surrounds.html

What do you use for shower walls? CBU, green board, regular drywall, or something else?

What size sheets does the Corian come in?

My only experience with Corian is installing pre-made counter tops, Anything special I should keep in mind when it comes to fabricating wall panels? Adhesive? waterproofing?

Thanks for all the replies, I'll keep you posted on what I decide on.

Thanks
Wayne

NHNailbangah · Jun 26, 2010

thom said:
Use a solid surface like Corian. You can get them in 1/4" thickness designed specifically for vertical applications.

Can't find them on Duponts website, where might I find more info on the 1/4" panels?

Mike Finley · Jun 26, 2010

If you're going to think about doing this out of corian, why wouldn't you just do it using swanstone? It's the product that is made for this specifically, has corner shelves, niches, flutted and decorative pieces?

ssdreambath · Jul 13, 2010

Try a GOOD acrylic dealer who knows what there doing !!! I wish i was in the area because that's exactly what i do

ApgarNJ · Jul 13, 2010

I have done a few tub/shower surrounds over the last year out of swan stone. I agree with mike, that stuff is thick, comes with corner shelves, easy to clean. older folks love it. they hate tile/grout. It comes in a bunch of colors and is very solid.

you can get a window trim kit as well.

I recently remodeled a bathroom in our house that has a window in the tub area, i took out the sashes, and altered the frame. Installed new azek blind stops on the outside, and then had a customer thermopane obscure glass panel made up. I installed membrane and tile backer and then tile right up to the glass, it turned out nice and it really doesn't get much water hitting it anyways but it doesn't leak.
I was thinking about taking out the window but I'm glad I left it in. it lets a lot of light into a small bathroom and looks nice.

mstrat · Jan 12, 2014

I'd love to see some pic's of what some of these types of installs look like when they're finished...I've had several customers looking for options that don't include cruddy surrounds to be cut or desire the maintenance of tile...any other thoughts or pic's would be awesome! Thanks!

nickko · Jan 13, 2014

I have used swan stone in this situation a few times. I have put glass block in place of the window. It comes out real nice. I get all the trim pieces to finish the edge down to the floor and the shelf kit. I don't trust just gluing the corner shelves so I put very small stainless steel screws in them under the shelf.
Nicko

Tub surround with window?

NHNailbangah

tcleve4911

thom

kevjob

WarnerConstInc.

angus242

WarnerConstInc.

NHNailbangah

NHNailbangah

Mike Finley

ssdreambath

ApgarNJ

mstrat

nickko

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities