Installing a Prefab Bathtub Surround

A prefabricated surround can quickly give a tub and shower area a fresh look. High-quality units have durable finishes along with convenient niches and towel bars. Make sure the unit you buy has panels with flanges that overlap, so you don't have to cut the panels to fit precisely. If your tub opening is the standard 60 inches wide, you probably won't have to cut at all, except to make holes for the spout and the faucet control or handles.

Acrylic or polystyrene tub surrounds are available in modern, decorative, or retro styles and come in many colors. Though these units are less permanent than tile, they install quickly, are relatively inexpensive, and will last for many years.

Preparing the wall surface
The walls should be smooth and even. Scrape away any peeling paint and patch any cracks or weak spots. Apply primer paint to the walls to ensure a strong bond with the adhesive. It's possible to install the panels over tile, but they will have gaps at the front edges, which must be covered with tile or acrylic.

Prestart Checklist

Time
Several hours to install a solid-surface tub surround

Tools
Level, drill, caulk gun (or tube), notched trowel, tape measure, utility knife

Skills
Measuring and drilling holes

Prep
Clean and prime the walls, close the drain, place a drop cloth in the tub; remove the spout and the faucet control or handles

Materials
Tub surround kit, manufacturer's recommended adhesive, tub-and-tile caulk, masking tape, cardboard for a template