tub surround

texancowboy

hey guys. Should I use greenboard or hardibacker behind a tub surround?

If I have to use hardibacker, im left with a problem. its roughly 70 inches from the top of my tub to my ceiling, but the tub surround is only 60 inches high. should i go all the way with hardibacker and paint the top 10 inches or do 60 inces in backerboard and the remaining 10 in greenboard?

thanks

joecaption

Tile board is not needed.
Is it a cheap paper thin glue up one?
If so please reconcider and buy a nail up one. Looks better, is about three times as thick. Just not going to come unglued or crack like a glued up one.

texancowboy

i was told that since i have a bathroom window, a nailup one wouldnt work cause they are to hard to cut

joecaption

Goo luck with having a window in a shower. Not a great plan.
Remove in and just have a transome window at the top, Still get the light and none of the wood and wall rot.

texancowboy

i was actually thinking of removing it and going it a skylight. thoughts?

texancowboy

joe - where do iget a transome window? i called home deport and they recommended a picture window.

joecaption

100% yes do it.
Why have a window in a shower? First thing you do is close the curtains so no one can see in. So why is it there?

texancowboy

No idea, joe. This house was built in the 30's. The window in the shower looks like its from the 1960s (cheap, aluminum, single pane -ON A NORTH WALL-, etc) I'm guessing that the reason its there is because the shower area is the only wall with an outside exposure. If i do remove the window, I would not be able to put one on any other wall.

What is your recommendation? Skylight? Or picture window? My main concern is a source of natural light.

joecaption

A properly placed sky light will light up the whole room.
Many times I've been to peoples homes that had them and I keep trying to shut the light off because it's so bright you think it's on.
You can even get one that also has a reguler light in it so you only have to have one hole in the ceiling.

You must have gotten suck with a dumm a** at the box store. There not going to stock them, but they sure could have ordered one for you.
I order all my windows from the same company I buy my siding from.

texancowboy

sounds like a plan. i found a good skylight at lowes for about 60 bucks (rather small, but its a tiny a** bathroom). This is gonna make things so much easier.

Anyway.. the high quality tubsurround (nail to stud type) is only 62 inches. That still leaves 8 inches.... what do you suggest?

joecaption

To install a nail on enclosure you have to remove all the sheetrock on three sides. It gets attached directly to the studs with galv. roofing nails.
One it's installed green board is installed over the flanges at the top and sides.
The enclosure does not need to go to the ceiling.

texancowboy

so tub surround and then greenboard? got it. thanks joe

joecaption

To get some ideas go on the Sterling web site. It will have some examples and install directions. DO not have to buy that brand just for ideas.