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Any Body use Swanstone

40BillH | Posted in General Discussion on February 1, 2005 08:02am

Gearing up to do a bathroom remodel, (gut down to the frame) <!—-><!—->

My wife has picked out a Swan Stone 60″ shower base, and we will be using their solid surface material, (3′ x 8′ sheets) for the shower surround. Swan Stone recommends moisture resistant green board for the sub straight. I hesitate to use green board but this Swan Stone seams bullet proof if installed correctly. <!—->

Any and all words of wisdom on experience installing Swan stone is most appreciated<!—->

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  1. MJLonigro | Feb 01, 2005 08:24pm | #1

    Used to sell the stuff when I worked at a lumber yard about 12 years ago...The products were decent then...counter/sinks were a little on the thin side but not many complaints...gotta figure they've gotten even better over the years...

    Use Hardi-backer if you're against green board...

  2. highfigh | Feb 01, 2005 08:26pm | #2

    What's the problem with green board? It's made for wet environments. Since you're gutting it down to the frame anyway, it would be better to use that than regular drywall.

    "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
    1. User avater
      CapnMac | Feb 01, 2005 10:52pm | #3

      What's the problem with green board? It's made for wet environments.

      Actually, it's only made for damp environments.  It will also only span 12" in ceiling applications (per the USG specs).

      It's a fine product.  I'm just not a fan of it under tile.  But, that's a personal preference--I've hung plenty of green because that's what the customer wanted.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

  3. User avater
    IMERC | Feb 01, 2005 11:22pm | #4

    good product...

    follow the Mfgr's installation recmendations to the letter...

    use hardi board... much more gooder than green board..

    proud member of the FOR/FOS club...

    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

    WOW!!!   What a Ride!

    1. User avater
      CapnMac | Feb 02, 2005 01:25am | #5

      much more gooder than green board

      Yeap, knew it, it's not librarians keepin y' in Texline, it's schoolmarms . . . <g>Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

      1. User avater
        IMERC | Feb 02, 2005 11:54pm | #7

        say what???

        I'm in Colorado...

        G108 is next...

        proud member of the FOR/FOS club...

        Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

        WOW!!!   What a Ride!

  4. McFish | Feb 02, 2005 09:38am | #6

      I've installed several Swanstone shower surrounds recently.  Pretty straightforward  to install.  Nice stuff.  Since your gutting the bathroom I'd say that any time spent getting your shower walls square, plumb and level would be rewarded when you install the panels.  I've had to trim panels to fit into out of square situations but thats not a big deal.  Used a circular saw with no problem.  My supplier sends along a kit with adhesive, corner trim if you need it and color matched caulk.  Swanstone reccomends over greenboard which I use but dont see a problem with hardibacker or whatever as long as the adhesive bonds to it.  Make sure you have plenty of battens or similar stuff to brace the panels off until the adhesive sets.

                                                                                                           Tom

  5. jackplane | Feb 03, 2005 12:13am | #8

    I built a bath vanity for myself with a Swanstone sink. No problems,really good stuff and holds up well. Parts of it though were only 1/4" thick and needed shimming for strength.

  6. pixburd | Feb 03, 2005 12:53am | #9

    Bill, I've done a few Swanstone showers. You mentioned 8 ft panels, the 6 ft are much cheaper. With the shower base, they are 76-77 inch total which seems fine, esp. if you have a bulkhead. Ive done both green and cement board, both are fine, green is easier to blend with the drywall in the rest of the bathroom.

    Definitely recommend acclimating panels to room temp. esp this winter, use 48 hour rule. Also better to shim bottom 1/16th, cuz it gives panel room to grow in all directions.

    Would NOT recommend NEO style, the Swanstone glass doors leaked bad. For best adhesion, mockup a frame of 2x4s and 1x3s with screws to hold panels secure, then disassemble. Once you put the adhesive on the back, there is no time to cut wood.

    I think the granite colors are worth the upcharge. I did a shower with matching color vanity top looked great.

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