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I need to build a concrete bathtub much like the one on Page 112 of the Summer 1999 “Houses” issue. Any advice or references on structure, forming, waterproofing, and conrete type would be appreciated. Thank you.
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John,
I, too, was looking for the same information, and found that there's not much available. I even wrote an architect/designer of one I saw in another magazine....no answer. I ended up building a treated plywood box, lining it with Durock concrete board and waterproofing it with Hydroment "Ultra-Set", a compound that is trowled on. Apparently, there are other comparable products, but none available in my area. I called Durock and asked what they'd suggest, and was told to waterproof the plywood then nail on the Durock. That seemed incredibly stupid, since I'd be poking the waterproofing full of holes with the nails. Bostik, the maker of the waterproofing, told me to use the Ultra-Set directly over the Durock. Thinset mortar can then be applied directly over the Ultra-Set (the manufacturer, Bostik, of course, recommends you use their brand of thinset). I s'pose you could use thinset or some other mix of concrete as your finish coat, but I'd leave that decision to the concrete pros. I'm decided to can the concrete finish and just set tiles over the Ultra-Set. When I thought about the concrete as a finished surface, it occurred to me that it would be very hard to keep clean...it's tough enough keeping the ring off a ceramic or steel tub.
Tom Laing
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I need to build a concrete bathtub much like the one on Page 112 of the Summer 1999 "Houses" issue. Any advice or references on structure, forming, waterproofing, and conrete type would be appreciated. Thank you.
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Hey John,
Be sure and pick out a nice looking tree to plant in your new tub, cuz that's about all there good for!!
They're generally uncomfortable as their is little in the way of "molding" for comfort and they don't hold heat all that well.
How about a nice Ficus?
Donna