QA

Question: How To Install Alcove Tub

What do you put under a bathtub for support?

Both regular thinset mortar and floor leveling compound are suitable. A series of strategically placed piles is easier to control than a full bed, and it provides comparable support for the tub. Level the subfloor in the alcove where you intend to install the bathtub, and cut the hole for the drain.

What is the difference between a drop in tub and an alcove tub?

Drop-in bathtubs are installed anywhere a carved out deck or structure is implemented, often times in the center of the bathroom. Alcove bathtubs on the other hand, are installed in a recess, against the wall or an alcove.

How do you install an alcove tub and shower?

What is the difference between an alcove and a skirted bathtub?

An alcove tub and a skirted drop-in tub are very similar, with the only difference being their installation. An alcove tub is made to fit into a space joined by three walls, whereas a skirted tub will always have one completely open side.

How do you install a drop in tub in an alcove?

Measure the alcove space with a measuring tape. Place a piece of cardboard in the bottom of the tub. Check the subfloor where the tub will be located. Set the tub in place and mark the holes for the plumbing and fixtures. Install the plumbing. Install the tub spout and drain per manufacturer directions.

How far should wall extend past bathtub?

Plan to extend the tile 2 or 3 in. beyond the tub and to leave at least a half tile along the wall if possible. Don’t stop tile even with the end of the tub. This leaves the walls along the front of the tub vulnerable to water damage, and doesn’t look as finished as tile extending to the floor.

Do I need mortar under tub?

Whether you are installing a regular acrylic bathtub that doubles as a shower unit or a larger two-person Jacuzzi, most bathtubs require a mortar base for the tub to rest on. Without this support, the plastic of the tub would eventually break and crack.

Can you use spray foam under a bathtub?

Yes, expanding spray foam can be used under a bathtub. It can reduce coldness and flex in an existing install, but an improper application can result in additional problems.

Do you put cement board under bathtub?

The best approach when installing cement board or other tile backer around a tub is to keep the cement board out of the lip area. above the lip of the tub. Then apply a generous amount of thin-set to the bottom bathtub tile and position it 1/8 in. above the tub.

Do you put flooring under bathtub?

So you are installing a new bathroom and suddenly have hit a snag-which should you install first, the flooring or bathtub? The short answer is that standard bathtubs such as alcove and corner bathtubs should always be installed first, followed by the wallboard, the subfloor and the vinyl.

Is it worth insulating a bathtub?

When the time comes to switch out an old bathtub, insulate underneath the new one to boost its heat-retaining properties. While bathtub materials vary in how well they keep bathwater warm, it’s easy and inexpensive to increase any bathtub’s heat-retaining properties with insulation.

What is a 3 wall alcove tub?

3-wall alcove tub-shower combinations are the most common tub type and are designed to maximize space. The unfinished ends usually get sandwiched between an exterior wall and a handy built-in storage cabinet. They’re fitted inside a framed enclosure that’s finished to match bathroom cabinets or tile.

Whats an alcove bath tub?

An alcove bathtub “is any tub enclosed on three sides by walls,” says Eric Phillips, a plumber and the founder of Dripfina. It’s the most common bathtub installation, according to The Home Depot.

Can you tile the front of an alcove tub?

The aprons that are cast into alcove bathtubs simplify the tub installation, but they often come up a bit short in the style department. One way to improve the appearance of a plain apron and create the look of a built-in tub is simply to build and tile a short wall in front of the tub.

Do you screw a bathtub to the wall?

Carefully set tub into place against the wall studs. Predrill 3/16-inch-diameter screw holes through the tub’s flange, then fasten the tub to the wall studs with 1¼-inch-long decking screws. Use a drill and hole saw to cut holes through the fiberglass tub surround for the shower valve and tub spout.

Are alcove tubs good?

Whether you have a large or a small bathroom, the alcove bathtub will be good for you. Unlike other bathtubs out there, the best alcove bathtubs are stylishly designed to take very little space and to give you an excellent bathing experience.

Can you put a freestanding bathtub in an alcove?

We often get asked whether it is suitable to install a freestanding bathtub in an alcove. The answer – absolutely! Freestanding bathtubs have been around for nearly 150 years, and they are still part of every day design. A beautiful mix marble, and tile adds dimension to the entire design.