Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Walls Around Tub And Tiling V Other Options

I recently replaced our old tub and wall surround with a two piece fiberglass unit. I have a space of about 4 inches between the drywall and the flange of the tub what would you recommend that I use there, cement board or greenboard?

My brother told me that he recommends that I tile this area above the tub but I am wondering what other options may be available. I like the look of tile but do not want to attempt this on my own. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Also now that our tub is in I am going to replace the flooring. They currently have in there self adhesive linoleum pieces and I would like to pull this up and put regular laminate flooring in. How is the easiest way to remove these tiles? What do you recommend to use to seal between the side of the tub where it meets the floor? A vinyl moulding?

Thank you

Erica

I'm a bit unclear as to what it is, exactly, that you have. Are you talking about a gap between the ceiling and the top of the tub surround or is there no tub surround?

As to laminate flooring in the bathroom, I wouldn't recommend that. Too much water in there what with spills and condensation while showering. If the existing tiles are not curling up and are laying flat, how about one of the no glue sheet vinyls on the market now? With this stuff, so long as the existing floor is in good shape, it doesn't need to come up, you just lay over it. It comes in several wood grain patterns so it would have the same look as laminate. If the existing floor isn't in good shape, a heat gun will loosen the glue and a paddle scrapper will get under it to get it up.

You can use cove base along the tub, but you still need to caulk it to make it as water tight as possible.

If you end up tiling the top of your surround, I would use greenboard instead of cement ( Hardybacker) . Greenboard is a pain to work with, but better in high moisture areas.

I've installed tile the better part of twenty years and have seen more rotted green board than I can count. It doesn't hold up in high moisture areas any better than regular dry wall and should not be used in a shower. If, however, as has been suggested, you're talking about the space from the top of the surround to the ceiling, it will work because that area normally is exposed to only condensation and a little splash. This area is most often just sealed well and painted. Not being a painting pro, I'm not sure what kind is used in this application, but I've been in hundreds of houses over the year and have yet to see tile above a fiberglass surround. Not that it can't be done, just not the norm.

I think greenboard is no longer approved for use around showers.