Hi all,
We’re doing a more or less modest bathremodel. Walls are a mess so we’re going down to studs. Going to replace the tub and don’t have a need to goldplate. Looking for tub and walls. Tub will get a few more years of semi-tough use as we have rambuncous 5-year old twin boys with toys.
Seems different plumbers like Lasco fiberglass units and some like Sterling plastic units (arcylic? Vikrill or something, looks like plastic to me).
Sterling claims no need to caulk which sounds good.
You folks have any opinions? One a better option than the other, or 6 of one and half dozen of the other?
Thanks much.
– Rod Cole
Replies
First off, Welcome to BT.
You folks have any opinions? One a better option than the other
"We," here always have opinions, which are often like bathroom remodels--the divil is in the details <g>.
I like (slightly) the Lasco units better. I have no absolute reason why, but I do (mind you, I've not often had the oppertunity to choose, either; the customer usually has picked out the pig..er,ah, wunnerful product to install). You may be seeing a similar thing, in that one plumber has used one product, and the other another (or they user different supply houses, stocking different brands).
The prep work under the tub, and on the walls, really has more to do with the success of a tub remodel. You will never have this good an oppertunity to "do" the walls right (unless the wall fail, and it's out with the newer tub--a less-than desirable situation).
One thing you can do is ask the lasco plumber how much to use Sterling instead (and vice versa). That may tell you more about the differences in the plumbers. Ask them how they plan to detail out the walls, too.
i used sterling in a remod. i did. tied right to bare studs. would use again.
If I am doing a budget remodel (guessing by the products you are choosing) and wanted good durability I would order an American Standard Solar bath tub http://www.americanstandard-us.com/ProductNew_Printable.asp?prodID=234 which from a home center will run you about $190.00 with tax.
I would use a Crane tile look 9060 surround which is a 3 piece design and will run you again about $190.00 with tax at Lowes. These surrounds are a little heavier than standard home center stuff and look decent when installed. Yes you will still have the caulk seam but if you do a good job we guarentee our caulk for 3 years and rarely get a call back. Usually it is only when it didn't stick well in the first place.
We use the Moen Chateau Series fauct which is about $130.00 with tax. Put the tub in a bed of mortar, hang the rock, stick the surround to it and use GE silicone caulk for the seams. You won't have a grand in it and it will look good and last for 15 years or so even if your kids try to ram a broom handle down through it. We also like the twist out style curtain rods when kids are involved. Better to have it fall than yank a chunk out of the wall! DanT
"We also like the twist out style curtain rods when kids are involved. Better to have it fall than yank a chunk out of the wall! DanT"So, you've met my boys!Thanks to all for the comments.- Rod
I've been using Sterling on and off for the past 15 years - before they were Sterling, they were Dow-Corning. They make a good product at a modest price, are easy to install and the no-caulk feature is no BS. I've never caulked one and never had any leaks. Take everything down to the studs and follow their installation instructions.Especially with little kids, be sure you get a pressure-balancing faucet with an adjustable temperature limit. If your water heater temperature is set higher than 120F, adjust the temp limit appropriately on the faucet. It takes more than 4 minutes of exposure at 120F to do damage to skin, at 130F scald time drops to 30 seconds and at 140F the time drops to less than 6 seconds.
Installed a 4 piece Sterling in my bathroom. Didnt caulk,doesnt leak. Make sure you bed in the bottom and if you have the large flat plastic piece on the bottom mak sure you glue it to the tub otherwise it can squeek.