Americast tub with surround

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MerHenri

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Hi folks,

My husband and I are doing a complete remodel of our bathroom, equipped with complete replacements of the water supply lines, the drainage lines and the stack. Our plumber has done a bang-up job so far (and quickly!), and b/c of that, I trust his opinion.

That said, we have chosen to go with an Amercian Standard Americast tub (Princeton), measuring 17.5" deep, 30" wide. The plumber wasn't thrilled with the choice, much to our dismay. Then he was even less thrilled when we told him we were going with a surround, as opposed to tiling the tub walls. (Side note - we can't tile b/c we are doing a pocket door and have been told by several carpenters that the pocket door wall cannot support the weight of the tile in the tub.)

The surround we purchased is made by SwanTile, and we ordered it through Home Depot.

I'm curious if anyone has had any experience or issues with either the Americast tub or this kind of surround, and if so, has anyone ever used them together? Plumber thinks this opens us up for leaks, although my experience with tile and leaks has been rather worrisome!

Appreciate any feedback you can give ...
Thanks!
 

Jimbo

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Americast tubs are excellent.

Is your surround a fibrglass/acrylllic product? That will not be as long lasting or easy to clean as tile.

I do agree that the flimsy wall you end up with on a pocket door would not be good for tile
 

MerHenri

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surround material

Thanks, jimbo. The surround is made of veritek. I know tile will last longer, but we have a very small bathroom, and I'd rather have the extra space with a pocket door and a surround than less space and tile that will last and last. We always have trade-offs, don't we?

Anything I should warn the plumber about regarding the installation of the tub? I've read that many plumbers use a mortar base, but that this will void the american standard warranty. He should know this, especially if he reads the instructions, but I know how men sometimes "read" ... ;)

Thanks again for your opinions!
 

hj

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surround

I would go with a cultured marble or other solid surface material before I would use a prefab surround. Thin surrounds are notorious for warping and delaminating from the wall after a period of time.
 

Jimbo

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If I recall, there is a sticker right on the front apron of the Americast warning not to use the mortar bed.

americast-tub-instructions-1.jpg


Mortar is now fine to use
2/28/2019
 
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