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How do you build a tub surround for a drop in tub?

Jim Brown

How do you build a tub surround for a drop in tub?

Drop in tub surround with full access

  1. Step 1: Frame out surround.
  2. Step 2: Install proper substrate on framing.
  3. Step 3: Install finished surround material.
  4. Step 4: Finish top deck.
  5. Step 5: Place tub and Shim/level.
  6. Step 6: Secure the bottom of the tub.
  7. Step 7: Install drain/overflow.
  8. Step 8: Install high flow tub filler.

Can a drop in tub be Undermounted?

Can a drop in tub be undermounted? Many drop in bathtubs may also be used as undermount tubs, where the deck covers the rim of the tub for a seamless appearance.

What supports a drop in tub?

A mortar base must be used to provide sufficient support. Drywall mud or cement mortar can be used. Usually, no more than four or six shovelfuls are required directly under the tub. Use plastic sheeting on top of the subfloor and underneath the mortar, as well as on top of the mortar, under the tub.

How much space is needed for a drop in tub?

6 inches
It’s standard practice to construct the deck for a drop-in tub so there is at least 6 inches of flat deck space around all sides of the tub. This means the deck structure needs to be at least 1 foot longer and wider than the tub itself.

What’s the difference between alcove and drop-in tub?

Drop-in tub installation requires extra steps to build the frame. You also have to finish the exterior once the tub is installed. Alcove tubs attach to the walls within the alcove. You might need to install wall panels or tile to cover the shower walls, but the front of the tub is already finished.

What is a drop in tub vs alcove?

When comparing alcove vs drop-in bathtubs, drop-in tubs offer more flexibility in shape, size and design options. Alcove tubs must fit into a specified space between three walls, while drop-in tubs can fit any space. Also, alcove tubs are less expensive and more easily accessible than drop-in bathtubs.

What’s the best way to install a drop in tub?

The most important step to installing a drop-in bathtub is to construct your recess or surround. If you are unsure of this step, it is best to consult a professional. Whether it is elevated or flush to the floor, you need to measure out the appropriate length and width of your area.

How does a drop in bathtub drain work?

This way, you can drain the water when the mortar has dried. Attach the drain of the tub to the drain for the floor and the hot and cold water lines to the tub faucets. Depending on the type of plumbing you have, you may be working with plastic, metal or flexible piping.

What does it mean to have a drop in tub?

Are drop in bathtubs hard to install? What is a drop in tub? A drop in bathtub is a bathtub that has been finished on all sides with a lip or rim, allowing it to be fastened or secured to a finished alcove or structure commonly referred to as a surround.

How big of a bed do you need for a drop in bathtub?

Once you’ve built the tub frame and installed the drain assembly onto the tub, you typically lay a 1- to 2-inch mortar bed on the bottom of the surround and drop in the tub before the mortar sets.

How do you build a tub surround for a drop in tub?

Jim Brown

How do you build a tub surround for a drop in tub?

Drop in tub surround with full access

  1. Step 1: Frame out surround.
  2. Step 2: Install proper substrate on framing.
  3. Step 3: Install finished surround material.
  4. Step 4: Finish top deck.
  5. Step 5: Place tub and Shim/level.
  6. Step 6: Secure the bottom of the tub.
  7. Step 7: Install drain/overflow.
  8. Step 8: Install high flow tub filler.

What are the rough in dimensions for a tub?

For a typical standard, wall-wall bathtub, the measures will be roughly 60 inches long, 30-32 inches wide. Similarly, what is the rough opening for a 5 foot tub? the rough opening for the tub (stud to stud) should be 5′-01/4″.

How much mortar do I need to set a tub?

Usually you need one 55 lb of mortar for one tub. But as you’ll see in our video we had to use two bags, but it’s not like the Mud Bed Mix is breaking the bank. Mix the mortar so that it can support the tub. It should not be runny but rather stand up on it’s own.

Can you install a drop in tub in an alcove?

Yes, drop in tubs can be installed in an alcove, but they’re more commonly installed in more open spaces, freestanding or jutting out from a wall. Depending on the size of the bathroom, a drop in tub installed in an alcove may provide less space; one may be able to fit a larger tub into another space in the room.

How tall should a platform be for a bathtub?

Check the height of the platform that your tub requires and calculate the height of the platform wall studs. For example, if the tub requires a 36-inch-high platform, the studs should be cut to 31 3⁄4 inches. This length allows for the thickness of the top and bottom 2-x-4 plate, the 3⁄4-inch plywood, backerboard, mortar, and tile.

How to build your own homemade bathtub step by step?

How to Build Your Own Homemade Bathtub Step 1. Lay out the size and shape of the tub and build a frame of 2-by-4s. Join the lumber using butt joints and at… Step 2. Rough-in the plumbing for the drain and faucet. Install two layers of 19/32-inch exterior grade waterproof… Step 3. Cut a 4.5-inch …

Can you build a platform for a whirlpool tub?

If you’re installing a whirlpool tub, make an opening in the framework for an access panel for the pump and drain. Constructing the platform for a tub isn’t difficult, but it requires accurate measuring and cutting.

How do you build a deck for a bathtub?

Secure the wall framework to the floor with nails, and use deck screws to cover the framework with plywood to make the deck. Use a jigsaw to cut an opening in the deck for the tub, either by using the template provided by the manufacturer or after carefully marking the dimensions for the rough opening.