| If your tub/shower enclosure has seen better days, | | | | sections and replace it with a moisture-resistant |
| why not give it an update? One of the easiest, | | | | version. If you've got a tile surround, simply stick |
| cost-effective ways to replace your dingy enclosure | | | | loose tiles back in place with ceramic-tile adhesive. But |
| is to purchase and install a shower/tub surround kit. | | | | if several tiles are loose, just remove them |
| Why panels? | | | | altogether and replace them with moisture-resistant |
| These handy kits generally come with three or five | | | | drywall. |
| pieces. If your enclosure is perfectly square, a | | | | Now comes the tricky part: removing the |
| three-piece kit (with a back panel and two side | | | | showerhead, faucet, and spout-as well as other |
| panels) is the way to go. But if you're dealing with | | | | accessories such as wall-mounted shelves or soap |
| crooked walls or walls that aren't plumb, the | | | | dishes. |
| five-piece kit (with a back panel, two corner panels, | | | | Using a tall piece of cardboard, make a template of |
| and two end panels) offers more flexibility. | | | | the side of the tub with the bath fixtures. Measure |
| Not only are these panels water-resistant, they're | | | | the exact locations of the faucet handles, |
| also easy to clean and will almost instantly revive | | | | showerhead, and tub spout. Cut holes in the |
| your bathroom-what's not to love about that? And | | | | cardboard, hold the cardboard up to the wall to make |
| they come in a variety of materials, from solid | | | | sure the holes align with the fixture placements, and |
| surfacing to pressed fiberglass. Though thicker panels | | | | mark the locations on the surround panels. |
| are usually more expensive, they're more stable and | | | | Installation. |
| easier to work with. | | | | Measure your walls and trim your panels accordingly. |
| Prep work. | | | | Following manufacturer's instructions, apply the |
| Before getting to work, protect the bottom of your | | | | adhesive, then attach the panels to the walls and let |
| tub from dings and scratches with a heavy cloth. If | | | | them dry thoroughly. Replace the hardware, and seal |
| your current shower interior is solid, flat, and in good | | | | joints with caulk. |
| structural condition, you can install the panels over | | | | For more detailed instructions, check out Popular |
| the existing material (just be sure to give it a good | | | | Mechanics and This Old House. Or watch this |
| cleaning first, and scuff tile with sandpaper so it'll | | | | step-by-step video, courtesy of HGTV. |
| better grip the adhesive). For drywall, cut out damp | | | | |