Owner has a 30×60 cast iron tub in a sheetrocked alcove. A shower valve and head were installed but never used. They would like the walls made waterproof, but not with tile (dang… too easy). I have once, under great duress, installed ‘Swanstone’ shower walls over sheetrock, per an archy’s detail, but I think the caulk in the corners is a horrible weak point and I’d have to leave town.
What’s out there that could be retrofitted here? I can strip the rock or leave it. I assume there are pre-fab acrylic shower wall panels, but I do not get to frame the room, it’s already there, so my chances of having the exact framing dimensions that a pre-fab unit calls for are about nil.
Maybe strip the walls, install a moisture barrier, install CBU, and then glue Swanstone to the CBU? At least if the caulk fails it’s OK.
Replies
http://www.theonyxcollection.com/
Those guys are right down the street from me. I love the product in place of tile, it looks a far cry better then acrylic or fiberglass, cleans up great, and works like butter.
I fear it's awfully similiar to swanstone though. At least from what I was able to find out about swanstone with a quick search.
What was your complaint with the swanstone?
ck yur mail...
The swanstone panels we installed were basically thin sheets of solid surface... can't remember... maybe 1/4" to 3/8" thick. We were doing an alcove shower and ordered three pieces, glued them to the wall per the manuf instructions, and caulked the inside corners. There's basically no waterproofing behind a system like that, just glue on the sheetrock and a caulk job. Owner was very clear on the issue and did not mind, did not want to pay more.
I guess I could do that on this job but would have to take out the sheetrock and replace with CBU in order to respect myself in the morning. I was hoping there was something a little bit cooler...
The Onyx link is a keeper... and at least they have inside corner trim. I'll call for a quote tomorrow.
I've seen display of their stuff -- Let us know how pricing compares. Thanks!
FF
Just talked to them... shipping is the issue with my location, so it may not fly, but here's the numbers for custom wall panels:
.10 per square inch plus $47/panel for fabrication, includes adhesive and color match silicone
$1 per lineal inch for outside corner trim
.50 per inch for inside corner
Comes to about $860 for the panels only to do the walls of an alcove tub/shower 30x60x30 by 5' high
Edited 7/12/2005 12:35 pm ET by davidmeiland
I believe the local formica companies will bend a sheet to your exact dimensions. I have never done this but researched it for a project. They sell terminations strips for edges and top.
I believe E. B. Bradley was who I talked with. They gave me a price to bend a laminate of my choosing (1/4" inside radius) and provide a termination kit for edges. http://www.ebbradley.com/company.asp
Wep page was not much help but local guy provided lots of info.
Owen Roberts Group
10634 East Riverside Drive # 100
Bothell, WA 98011
http://www.owenrobertsgroup.com