Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - tub/shower or wall surround??

or maybe tile? I am so confused!

I really like the tub surrounds because they look so simple. The problem I have is there are tub/showers and wall surrounds. I'm not sure what is what or what is better of the two. I don't mind buying my own tub and then putting up walls but I don't know if it's just better to get the tub/shower together.

We are re-doing a (very) small kids bathroom and are trying to save some money doing it. First we looked at Re-Bath but they were way over what we wanted to spend. So then we went to Home Depot and Lowes and tried there.

The problem is it seems you really have to know what it is you want before you get there because their books don't show many pictures.

The problem I seem to be having is the "look" of them as well as what I want for material. I keep hearing that Fiberglass is "cheaper" and not as durable and then I hear that IS durable. I want something that will last. I keep hearing that acrylic is better so that's what I am leaning toward but I don't know what actually IS acrylic. I looked at a company called Maax and I like the look of product that they sell called Finesse. But I believe that is only a wall unit instead of a tub/shower and I'm not sure that's good or not. Also I can't find ANYONE that sells the Maax product (and I called Maax themselves).

Then I looked at the Swanstone which seems nice but the look is really plain and awful. Now I am looking online at Lasco and Kohler and their products may be the quality of what I'm looking for but not the "look".

I'm sorry to go on and on but I am just at my wits end here and I want to make a decision on this bathroom. Can someone help me?

Thanks so much!
Stacy

Stacy,

You my want to visit a plumbing supply house, the ones that plumbers go to. I have a couple here locally that have displays up and they are very helpful.
I have provided links to various sites/manufafcturers. Take a look as well as a pro and con list of different products.

http://www.maax.com/en/Products/RegionSelector.aspx?pageReferer=DealersLocator.aspx~ (this lists dealer locations)

http://www.aciflex.com/english/products/details.php?f=58

http://www.mustee.com/bathwall.shtml

http://www.americancountertop.com/showerstall.html

http://www.lascobathware.com/index.htm

http://www.asbcorp.com/index.cfm

Surrounds - Tub/Shower or Shower (These are approximate costs only) Regardless of the product mentioned below, care and maintenance is crucial. The choice you make is yours, suggestions by others as to which is better is just an opinion.

Plastic Laminate $200 - $1,200
Pros Can be scrubbed
Do-it-Yourself Application
Versatile Styling
Less costly than tile

Disadvantages
Supports mold and mildew
Thin surface color/gloss will chip/wear with normal cleaning
Nicks and scratches are hard to repair
Excess water causes swelling/delaminating

Fiberglass $400 - $1,500 plus
Pros
Cheap
Do-it-Yourself Application possible
No grout lines to clean with normal cleaning

Disadvantages
Thin surface color/gloss will chip/wear with normal cleaning
Scratches easily
Cracks as it ages
Nicks and scratches difficult to repair – best left to pro
Shows water spots
Shows rust stains
Very limited in sizes
Product is not consistent in manufacturing

Ceramic tile $1,000 - $4,000 plus
Pros
Can be scrubbed
Versatile Styling
Many color choices
Do-it-Yourself Application but difficult


Disadvantages
Supports growth of mold and mildew
Cracks and chips
Cold to touch
Grout hard to keep clean
Grout is porous and will disintegrate
Maintenance item
Replacing one or 2 tiles can be difficult

Cultured Marble $1,200 - $3,000 plus
Pros
Less costly than real marble
Dramatic beauty
Custom colors


Disadvantages
Thin surface color/gloss will chip/wear with normal cleaning
Cracks and chips are possible
Nicks and scratches difficult to repair – best left to pro
Very heavy - Suggest professional installer
More money for solid colors


Solid Surface $2,000 - $5,000 plus
Pros
Can be scrubbed
Versatile styling
No grout lines to clean
Many color choices
Dramatic beauty

Disadvantages
Customization especially costly
Accessories limited
Walls wider than 30” have seams
Panel height is limited
All edges have a seam cap
Suggest professional installer

Marble $3,000 - $6,000 plus
Pros
Many color choices
Rich visual texture
Dramatic beauty

Disadvantages
Supports mold and mildew growth
Stains easily - Be carefull of some shampoo products
Cracks easily depending on installation
Very heavy - Suggest professional installer
Scratches difficult to repair
Cold to touch
Very expensive
Colors not always quarried

Acrylic $600 - $1,600 plus
Pros
Best quality for the cost
Can be scrubbed
Versatile and custom styling
No grout lines to clean
Solid and marble color selections
Scratches can be buffed
Dramatic beauty
Do-It-Yourself installation

Disadvantages
None

Hope this all helps!

Thank you so much Doug. It sounds like acrylic is the best. My question I guess then is which of those companies sell actual acrylic? Do they all? I'm finding it hard to find acrylic. Any suggestions?

Back to your first paragraph in original post.

The difference between a tub / shower surround and a shower surround is just that they are different heights of panels. The tub / shower is built to fit a bathtub that has a shower arm. The shower surround is made to install in a shower stall only.

I buy the Swanstone TF-57 tub and shower surround by the dozens. Good unit and easy install. Looks decent when done and relative inexpensive on cost. Homey Depot or Lowes does not carry this model. Check online or a plumbing supply house.

This is strictly a personnal perference type deal for you. Good luck with your project, more questions, ask away and someone will help you.