I have a fiberglass tub and surround that I just installed and now I am installing moisure resistant drywall. Is it best to install a vinyl J-channel where the drywall meets the tub surround? If so, how do I finish the bump on the surface of the dw from the front edge of the channel? I looked at some bathrooms and saw some cases where the front is left untouched, but that looks unfinished to me.
Is it oK to use premixed compound on the joints, of does that present a problem with high-moisure from the shower? I don’t mind switching to setting compound, but it will be a pain to sand.
Thank
Replies
There is no such thing as moisture resistant drywall. Are you installing a gypsum wall or Hardibacker or Durock or other cement board product?
Only Hardibacker or a cement board product should be used around a shower.
NEVER a J-bead.
NEVER drywall.
Will the walls be tiled?
Frankie
There he goes—one of God's own prototypes—a high powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live and too rare to die.
—Hunter S. Thompson
from Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas
Edited 3/29/2006 4:50 pm ET by Frankie
no such thing as moisture resistant drywall
I think he means greenboard.
And the location is always a tricky one, especially with a finished surface change (like tile to DW).
Hmm, wonder if some of the stucco control-joint bead would make sense, in the abstract . . . Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
I am using greenboard. It is only going above the surround (about 80in off the floor). The surround directions say to leave a small gap betweed the dw and the surround then to caulk with a high quality silicon.
They don't say anthing about adding j-channel, but I was concerned about the exposed edge of the dw.
The surround is attached directly to the studs. The dw will be painted. There is only about 20in of dw above the surround.
I assume you're installing DW above your tub surround, right? That's what it sounds like to me.
I've never used J-channel around the surround/tub edge, although I've thought about it. I decided against it, though, thinking on the off-chance water/condensation should flow down the wall, it could get caught in the channel and ruin the DW, moisture-resistance be damned.
I usually use setting compound and bed in some paper tape all around the surround to strengthen the edge, pressing the JC into the gap between DW and surround. Caulk the surround/DW edge afterwards to protect the joint further.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
do you use setting compound in the entire bathroom, or only around the surround to fill in?
There is a lip of the surround that the dw rests on, but is is about 1/8 thick. Do you usually shim the studs to match this lip before installing the dw?
I have installed about 150 sheets of dw so far, but this is my very first bathroom.
Different people do it different ways. I fir out the studs so the DW sits flat on the surround flange, otherwise your corners at the surround will be a coumpound curve, which makes taping a real fun task, and just looks poor, imho. Less blowthru of screws near the flange when firred out, as well.
I use setting compound for the surround area and all inside and outside corners. Seams and fasteners outside the surround enclosure are covered with all purpose JC. Personally, setting compound is harder, but I've gotten adept at using power sanders to get what I need without scuffing the adjacent paper. Vacuum required, obviously.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.