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Shower walls

davidmeiland | Posted in General Discussion on July 12, 2005 05:57am

Owner has a 30×60 cast iron tub in a sheetrocked alcove. A shower valve and head were installed but never used. They would like the walls made waterproof, but not with tile (dang… too easy). I have once, under great duress, installed ‘Swanstone’ shower walls over sheetrock, per an archy’s detail, but I think the caulk in the corners is a horrible weak point and I’d have to leave town.

What’s out there that could be retrofitted here? I can strip the rock or leave it. I assume there are pre-fab acrylic shower wall panels, but I do not get to frame the room, it’s already there, so my chances of having the exact framing dimensions that a pre-fab unit calls for are about nil.

Maybe strip the walls, install a moisture barrier, install CBU, and then glue Swanstone to the CBU? At least if the caulk fails it’s OK.

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  1. CAGIV | Jul 12, 2005 08:09am | #1

    http://www.theonyxcollection.com/

    Those guys are right down the street from me.  I love the product in place of tile, it looks a far cry better then acrylic or fiberglass, cleans up great, and works like butter.

    I fear it's awfully similiar to swanstone though.  At least from what I was able to find out about swanstone with a quick search. 

    What was your complaint with the swanstone?

     

    Team Logo

    1. User avater
      IMERC | Jul 12, 2005 08:18am | #2

      ck yur mail... 

    2. davidmeiland | Jul 12, 2005 08:36am | #3

      The swanstone panels we installed were basically thin sheets of solid surface... can't remember... maybe 1/4" to 3/8" thick. We were doing an alcove shower and ordered three pieces, glued them to the wall per the manuf instructions, and caulked the inside corners. There's basically no waterproofing behind a system like that, just glue on the sheetrock and a caulk job. Owner was very clear on the issue and did not mind, did not want to pay more.

      I guess I could do that on this job but would have to take out the sheetrock and replace with CBU in order to respect myself in the morning. I was hoping there was something a little bit cooler...

    3. davidmeiland | Jul 12, 2005 08:40am | #4

      The Onyx link is a keeper... and at least they have inside corner trim. I'll call for a quote tomorrow.

      1. Faulted1 | Jul 12, 2005 05:52pm | #5

        I've seen display of their stuff -- Let us know how pricing compares.  Thanks!

        FF

        1. davidmeiland | Jul 12, 2005 07:33pm | #6

          Just talked to them... shipping is the issue with my location, so it may not fly, but here's the numbers for custom wall panels:

          .10 per square inch plus $47/panel for fabrication, includes adhesive and color match silicone

          $1 per lineal inch for outside corner trim

          .50 per inch for inside corner

          Comes to about $860 for the panels only to do the walls of an alcove tub/shower 30x60x30 by 5' high

          Edited 7/12/2005 12:35 pm ET by davidmeiland

  2. User avater
    AdamGreisz | Jul 12, 2005 07:43pm | #7

    I believe the local formica companies will bend a sheet to your exact dimensions. I have never done this but researched it for a project. They sell terminations strips for edges and top.

    I believe E. B. Bradley was who I talked with. They gave me a price to bend a laminate of my choosing (1/4" inside radius) and provide a termination kit for edges. http://www.ebbradley.com/company.asp

    Wep page was not much help but local guy provided lots of info.

    Adam Greisz

    Owen Roberts Group

    10634 East Riverside Drive # 100

    Bothell, WA 98011

    http://www.owenrobertsgroup.com

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