Bathroom reno question - surround or tile?

KTdidit

DH and I are reno-ing our 40 sq foot bathroom down to the studs. We have everything under control and decided except for one thing - how to finish the shower? There is a regular single-hung window in the shower that the previous owners just drywalled right over and put up a surround. We would like to take advatage of the sunlight and ventilation from a window there and have decided to replace it with a vinyl encased window. We just aren't sure how to finish off the rest of the shower. A surround would be less time and labor intensive for us, but cutting out a hole for the window intimidates me. I'd be furious if we did it wrong and ruined the surround. This makes me think tile would be the better way to go. (I've always wanted tile in there anyway). But we have to get it all done in one weekend. It's our only bathroom. Thoughts?

ETA: We plan to put the house on the market next summer.

musictchr25

I don't think the surround would work very well.  If you think about how the surround attaches to the wall at the ends, it curves our towards the wall and is sealed at that point. If you cut a hole for the window, there is just a straight cut that won't be flush with the window, and you would have to build a box around the window in order to get a flush seal so no water or moisture would end up between the wall and the surround.  

I would go tile, but use one of the 12x12 sheets with the small tiles in it, because those sheets make it easier to "cut" the tile to fit in the different places, therefore removing the need to use a wet saw to cut the tiles.  These sheets also are a huge time saver since you don't have to place single tiles and spacers between every single one.  One weekend is more than enough time to do the tiling, especially once you get into a rhythm.  If you're looking to practice beforehand, go to the hardware store and buy a piece of cement board, which you should be using instead of drywall in the shower area, and some mortar, grout, and cheap sheets of tile so that you can teach yourself how to tile before trying to tackle the shower.  

Also, make sure that you use a waterproof sealant around the window frame and a semi-gloss or high-gloss paint on the framing so that it is easy to wipe down and keep clean from soap scum and mildew.  

MommyLiberty5013

I agree with tile and the PPs point of using the sheets instead of the individual tiles.

One thing DH discovered with tiling a shower is that you cannot base the placement of the tile on the line of the tub (unless you have verified that the tub is perfectly level). You need to draw out a line using a level and base the starting edge of the tile on that line. If you base it on the tub and the tub is not level (even 1/4 of an inch, your tiles will be slanted).

Once you have done the tiles on this line, then you grout in the space.

We had to tile our showers this way since the builder grade tub that was installed was not level. (one reason I despise new construction).

 

KTdidit

Thanks @musictchr25 I had no idea that a surround wasn't just flush to the wall! I have found multiple websites giving how to and step-by-step instructions on tiling a shower with a window in it so hopefully we can pull it off.

KTdidit

MommyLiberty5013 said:

I agree with tile and the PPs point of using the sheets instead of the individual tiles.

One thing DH discovered with tiling a shower is that you cannot base the placement of the tile on the line of the tub (unless you have verified that the tub is perfectly level). You need to draw out a line using a level and base the starting edge of the tile on that line. If you base it on the tub and the tub is not level (even 1/4 of an inch, your tiles will be slanted).

Once you have done the tiles on this line, then you grout in the space.

We had to tile our showers this way since the builder grade tub that was installed was not level. (one reason I despise new construction).

 

Thanks for the advice!