Bathtub Surrounds

Bathtub surrounds are a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to upgrade your bathroom.

Upgrading your bathroom is a very effective way of adding value to your home, and improving your chances of the house being sold. A bathtub surround is a wall which extends from the bathtub itself up to the ceiling. The bathtub surrounds cover the bathroom walls around the tub, and thus provide excellent protection against leaks and water damage to the walls. As such, installing bathtub surrounds in your bathroom could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in the future, preventing the need for repairs to water damaged walls. When installed correctly, they can provide a seamless and highly finished look for your bathroom.

Benefits Of Bathtub Surrounds

Most people who are thinking about installing bathtub surrounds are doing so because they want to improve the look of their bathroom, but are on a tight budget. Instead of completely redecorating the bathroom to achieve a new look, it is much fast, simpler, and cheaper to simply install a smart looking bathtub surround. This alone can give your bathroom the appearance of being new. Bathtub surrounds can be installed and ready to use in under 24 hours, and do not require a skilled tradesman to fit. People of any ability should be able to fit them when following the correct instructions. Cheap bathtub surround kits can be purchased for as little as fifty dollars, whilst more top of the range kits can be priced at over two hundred dollars. There really is something for everyone no matter what your budget is. However the more expensive the kit is, the better it will look, the more heavy duty and easier to install it will be. Of course one of the biggest benefits is the fact that they prevent water seepage and water damage to your walls by forming a protective layer. They allow water to roll off them and back into the bath, rather than going anywhere else.

Once you have purchased and installed bathtub surrounds, there is very little maintenance required to keep them in good condition and working order. They are very easy to clean as there are no stubborn grout lines to gather dirt and mould(although you can choose tile themed surrounds), and they are made of easy to clean materials. No matter what the size and dimensions of your bathroom, (and budget) you will be able to find a bathtub surround to suit you.

Different Types Of Bathtub Surrounds Available

There are numerous different designs, colors and materials to choose from when deciding which bathtub surrounds to purchase. Most will be made of plastic or vinyl, however you can also purchase marble, stone, wooden, fibreglass, acrylic and many more. Each has their own benefits, although the main reason for choosing different materials is your own personal preference for the look and style of the bathtub surround kit. Things to keep in mind when choosing the material are whether they match the rest of your bathrooms look, and how easy they are to clean, maintain, and install.

A PVC or vinyl kit will be much easier to install and maintain than a stone or wooden kit. Some bathtub surround kits will also have extras such as corner shelves and soap holders which will match the overall style of the wall surrounds. Opting for one of these packages could prove better in the long run as it will provide your bathroom with a more finished, complete and consistent look.

Another major consideration when choosing which bathtub surround kit to purchase is how many pieces it comes in. Kits will often come in either three or five pieces. Three piece kits are easier to install, but are harder to install on non plumb and non square walls. The five piece kit provides extra adjustability. If your walls are not plumb, then it may be wise to choose the five piece kit. Although its more difficult to install, it may provide a much better overall look than the three piece kit.

If you are looking for other ways to improve your bathroom other than bathroom surrounds, check out our other articles on bathtub resurfacing bathtub liners and bathtub paint