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What to put in my ME-BAG?

What type of tub surround should I put up? Tile/Tileboard/Basic surround?

  • Hi, I am currently renovating a bathroom due to it being in need of major functional repairs (plumbing, cracks, etc). I will be moving out of my place in about 4 years and would like to do anything to my place that will help it sell quickly when I move, as well as help me get most financial return out of my renovation investments. I have already installed a basic steel tub (was about $140 for the tub), and now I just have to do the surround. I chose a steel tub because it was cheap, and extremely light so I could install it myself without any help. I didn't do fiberglass because the previous fiberglass tub cracked through beyond repair. I didn't do cast iron because it would be too heavy for me to install, and would require more demolition to my walls to get it to fit into place. I don't mind putting in extra work for my tub surround, but I do want something that will help my condo sell quickly. In addition this tub/shower will be used quite a bit in the 4 years before I sell it by renters. It will be used about 3 times a day by people that are renting from me. I can't decide what is best. Should I put up tile? Should I put up tileboard? Should I put up corain? Should I put up cultured marble? Should I put up granite? Or should I put up a basic fiberglass or acrylic tub surround? Or should I put up something else. I honestly don't know what is "in style" for tub surrounds in this current market, or what gets you the best resale value on your home. What would you do considering my situation? Money is not an issue really. I will be doing the labor myself so the only cost will be parts. However I do not want to spend a ton of money and not get much of it back when I sell the place. Thanks for your input. I appreciate it.

  • Answer:

    The best option for you is to install backerboard and then ceramic tile. You can find a wide variety of styles and looks in ceramic to make the bathtub area look beautiful. Ceramic with a backerboard such as hardibacker will last a very long time. This is also a very popular and "in" look right now. Fiberglass and acrylic tub surrounds are not "in" and are not the most durable and highest quality out there. As a potential buyer this would definitely be frowned upon. Fiberglass or acrylic tub surrounds indicate that there may be a problem behind the tub surround as many people install these to cover up problems with the wall rather than fixing them. I would go with an earthtone tile from 4 to 8 inch in your tub area. Bigger tiles are in right now. Granite and other natural stones are very nice and are also more expensive. They will probably not be worth the extra money in your situation. Materials such as that are only expected in very high end homes. For more information on bathroom remodeling visit http://www.remodeling-your-home.com/home-bathroom-remodeling.html

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Since you went the cheap route with the tub (steal, not cast iron), you might as well stay on that track and install the basic fiberglass or acrylic tub surround. The new owners will have to deal with the problem of not having a cast tub in there at some point anyway, so you might as well make it easy for them and give them the added bonus of having a reason to put some stone on top of that new iron. If you put anything nice in there now (on the walls), it will have to be ripped out to replace the tub down the road.

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