Tub Surround: Tile vs. Wood vs. Acrylic
Choosing the right material for your tub surround is a crucial decision in any bathroom remodel. The surround not only protects your walls from water damage but also significantly impacts the overall aesthetic of your bathroom. Tile, wood, and acrylic are three popular choices, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. This comprehensive guide will explore these materials in detail, helping you make an informed decision that suits your needs, budget, and style.
Tile Tub Surrounds
Tile has been a popular choice for tub surrounds for decades, prized for its versatility, durability, and aesthetic appeal. From classic ceramic to luxurious natural stone, tile offers endless design possibilities.
Pros of Tile Tub Surrounds
- Design Versatility: Tile comes in a vast array of colors, sizes, shapes, and patterns, allowing for complete customization of your tub surround. You can create intricate mosaics, replicate the look of natural stone, or opt for a simple, clean design. Tile walls offer endless design possibilities, from simple subway tiles to elaborate mosaics, allowing for a unique bathroom space.
- Durability: When properly installed and maintained, tile can last for decades. Materials like porcelain and natural stone are particularly durable. When properly installed, tile showers can last for decades. Materials like porcelain and natural stone are especially known for their longevity.
- Water Resistance: Tile itself is waterproof, making it an ideal material for wet environments. However, the grout lines between tiles require proper sealing to prevent water penetration.
- Home Value: A high-quality tile installation can increase the overall value of your home, making it a worthwhile investment. High-quality tile work can increase the overall value of your home, making it an excellent investment for bathroom renovations.
Cons of Tile Tub Surrounds
- High Installation Cost: Tile installation is labor-intensive and requires skilled installers, which can significantly increase the overall cost. Installation costs for tile are 3-5x more than solid surface or acrylic shower wall installation.
- Maintenance: Grout lines are porous and can trap dirt, grime, and mildew, requiring regular cleaning and sealing. Grout lines require a lot of effort and heavy scrubbing to keep clean, which is time and energy that most homeowners simply don't have these days.
- Potential for Water Damage: If grout lines are not properly sealed or maintained, water can seep behind the tiles, leading to mold growth and structural damage.
- Time-Consuming Installation: Tile installation can take several days or even weeks, depending on the complexity of the design. Tile showers can be a week or longer before the crew packs up for the final time.
Tile Selection and Grout Considerations
- Tile Type: Common choices include ceramic, porcelain, glass, marble, and granite. Each offers a different look and varying levels of durability and water resistance.
- Grout Type:
- Epoxy Grout: Waterproof, durable, stain- and shrink-resistant.Considered the best grout for shower walls, backsplashes, and other surfaces susceptible to moisture or stains. It is ideal for use with unglazed tiles.
- Sanded Grout: Appears and feels gritty. Contains large grains of sand to bond grout and prevent cracking. Is best for grout seams 1/8-inch or wider. Sanded grout is inherently less prone to shrinkage and cracking, which is why it is the best grout for wider grout joints.
- Unsanded Grout: Stickier and easier to work with than sanded grout. Perfect grout for tile on walls or vertical surfaces. Smooth and won't scratch soft, smooth or polished tile and stone. Unsanded grout should be used for tile installations with grout joints that are smaller than 1/8” wide.
- Grout Color: Consider the aesthetic you want to achieve. Darker colors can hide stains, while lighter colors can brighten the space.
Wood Tub Surrounds
While less common than tile or acrylic, wood can add a unique and luxurious touch to your bathroom. However, using wood in a wet environment requires careful planning and execution.
Pros of Wood Tub Surrounds
- Aesthetic Appeal: Wood brings a natural warmth and elegance to any bathroom, creating a spa-like atmosphere. Wood adds a touch of luxury and warmth to any room.
- Customization: Wood can be easily shaped and customized to fit your specific needs and design preferences. Also, since wood is easy to work with, wooden bathtubs can be any shape or size depending on your tastes and does add a certain sense of luxury to your bath time.
- Insulation: Wood provides some insulation, helping to keep the bathroom warm and comfortable. High-quality wall panels not only increase the overall look of your place but also help to insulate your rooms. Depending on their thickness, wooden panels can serve as your home's natural insulation, keeping it cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
- Conceals flaws: Wood paneling is an effective way of covering any flaws. Its thickness and weight are perfect for creating a flawless finish.
Cons of Wood Tub Surrounds
- Moisture Susceptibility: Wood is naturally susceptible to water damage, which can lead to warping, rotting, and mold growth. Because hardwood is liable to absorb moisture, this can cause it to warp, discolor, split, and wear out faster.
- Maintenance: Wood requires regular sealing and maintenance to protect it from moisture. Wood wall panels will require regular maintenance to keep them stylish and safe, which can be both time consuming and costly.
- Cost: Depending on the type of wood and the complexity of the installation, wood tub surrounds can be expensive.
- Not Waterproof: Wood panelling is not waterproof and is therefore not recommend for use in rooms with high levels of condensation, such as kitchens or bathrooms.
- Susceptibility to insects: timber wall panelling is its vulnerability to insects and moisture damage.
Choosing the Right Wood and Finish
- Wood Type: Select naturally water-resistant woods like cedar, teak, or mahogany. In general, water-resistant woods like cedar, oak, cherry, or walnut are the ones you want to use in your next bathroom renovation.
- Sealing: Thoroughly seal the wood with multiple coats of a high-quality, waterproof sealant, such as polyurethane or marine varnish. Polyurethane, varnish, and lacquer are tried-and-true sealants with excellent waterproofing properties.
- Ventilation: Ensure proper ventilation in the bathroom to minimize moisture buildup.
Acrylic Tub Surrounds
Acrylic is a popular and cost-effective choice for tub surrounds, known for its ease of installation, low maintenance, and water resistance.
Pros of Acrylic Tub Surrounds
- Cost-Effective: Acrylic is generally less expensive than tile or wood, making it a budget-friendly option.
- Easy Installation: Acrylic surrounds are lightweight and easy to install, often in as little as a day. Acrylic shower panels and acrylic shower bases are designed for quick installation, often making them a preferred choice for bathroom remodeling projects with tight timelines or budgets. Their lightweight nature simplifies the installation process, potentially saving on labor costs.
- Low Maintenance: Acrylic is non-porous and easy to clean, requiring only a damp cloth and a non-abrasive cleaner. A quick wipe with a damp cloth usually suffices to keep the acrylic shower looking pristine.
- Water Resistance: Acrylic is completely waterproof, preventing water from seeping behind the surround.
- Customization: Acrylic surrounds can be customized with built-in shelving, seating, and grab bars. It can also be fully customized with built-in seating, secure grab bars, and handy shelving for safety and convenience.
Cons of Acrylic Tub Surrounds
- Less Luxurious Feel: Acrylic may not have the same high-end look and feel as tile or natural stone.
- Durability: While durable, acrylic is more prone to scratches and dents than tile or wood. While generally durable, acrylic tubs are more prone to scratches, chips, and fading compared to solid surface tubs.
- Lifespan: Acrylic bathtubs generally have a shorter lifespan compared to other materials. On average, you can expect approximately 10-15 years of use from your acrylic bathtub before considering a replacement, primarily due to concerns like heavy discoloration or cracking.
- Appearance: Most acrylic wall panel finishes are glossy.
Acrylic Surround Options
- Panel Systems: These systems consist of multiple panels that are glued to the existing walls. Cut your shower & tub wall panels to fit and adhere to walls using polyurethane adhesive.
- One-Piece Surrounds: These seamless surrounds offer maximum water protection and easy cleaning.
Practical Examples, Tips, and Actionable Advice
- Small Bathrooms: For small bathrooms, consider using light-colored tiles or acrylic surrounds to create a sense of spaciousness. Glass tile can also be an ideal material for a bathtub surround in a small or dimly lit bathroom.
- Budget-Conscious Remodels: Acrylic surrounds offer an affordable way to update your bathroom without breaking the bank.
- DIY Installations: Acrylic panel systems are relatively easy to install yourself, saving on labor costs.
- Wood Accents: If you love the look of wood but are concerned about moisture, consider using wood accents sparingly, such as a wood vanity or shelving, and ensure they are properly sealed.
DIY Tub Surround Installation Steps:
- Remove all hardware. Remove the spout, faucet handles and any accessories.
- Prep the Walls. Remove any existing tile.
- Clean Walls and Apply Primer.
- Cut Panels to Fit.
- Apply Adhesive to the Panels and Walls.
- Attach Panels to the Wall. Let them dry.
- Seal all the joints with caulk and let it dry. Wait 24 hours before using your tub or shower.
- Reinstall Hardware.
Conclusion: Making the Right Choice
Choosing the right material for your tub surround depends on your individual needs, preferences, and budget. Tile offers unparalleled design versatility and durability but comes at a higher cost and requires more maintenance. Wood adds a touch of luxury and warmth but is susceptible to moisture damage and requires careful sealing. Acrylic is a cost-effective and low-maintenance option but may lack the high-end feel of tile or wood.
Consider the following next steps to make an informed decision:
- Research: Explore different tile, wood, and acrylic options and gather inspiration from bathroom design websites and magazines.
- Budget: Determine your budget for the tub surround, including materials and installation costs.
- Consult Professionals: Talk to contractors, designers, and suppliers to get expert advice and recommendations.
- Visit Showrooms: See and touch different materials in person to get a better sense of their quality and appearance.
- Make a Decision: Weigh the pros and cons of each material and choose the one that best meets your needs and style.
By carefully considering these factors, you can create a beautiful and functional tub surround that enhances your bathroom and provides years of enjoyment.