{"id":10124,"date":"2021-12-09T01:04:18","date_gmt":"2021-12-09T01:04:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/?p=10124"},"modified":"2023-03-01T14:34:07","modified_gmt":"2023-03-01T14:34:07","slug":"finishing-the-acrylic-shower","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2021\/12\/finishing-the-acrylic-shower\/","title":{"rendered":"Finishing the Acrylic Shower"},"content":{"rendered":"

The installation story begins with the post Replacing the Fiberglass Tub with an Acrylic Shower<\/a>. Or you can start reading pricing and rationalizing West Shore Home Bath Remodel Price<\/a> or Replace the Fiberglass Bath with a New Acrylic Shower Research<\/a> when we first started to figure out how much materials would cost if we did it ourselves.<\/p>\n

But if you read those already or you want to just jump in with the old tub gone, read on.<\/p>\n

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Putting up the shower head pipe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When they got the pipes in the walls they turned the water back on to make sure there were no leaks. Best to find any problem before the walls are up.<\/p>\n

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Cutting plywood to reinforce the walls under the shower walls<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Next they cut plywood to fit the walls.<\/p>\n

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Screws to keep the plywood from marring the shower floor as it is put up.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

They put in long wood screws to protect the shower floor as they put the plywood on the walls.<\/p>\n

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The first back wall fitted with plywood<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The plywood fits everywhere they cut the drywall away.<\/p>\n

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Plywood walls<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the side walls it goes up to the top of where the acrylic walls will be.<\/p>\n

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The corners<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

They put in the corners. These make sure that even if water gets through into the corner seam, it still goes into the shower pan instead of into the wall.<\/p>\n

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Measuring for the acrylic walls<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

They used lasers to get very exact measurements for the acrylic wall panels.<\/p>\n

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Cutting acrylic walls<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

They cut the wall panels and carried them in. The wall panels have plastic protecting them, too.<\/p>\n

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The back acrylic wall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

They positioned the back panel first to make sure it fit exactly.<\/p>\n

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They put lots of adhesive to hold up the acrylic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Then they leaned it behind the door and put adhesive on the wall. This is a battery operated adhesive gun.<\/p>\n

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Dowsil Contractors Weatherproofing Sealant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This is the stuff they are squeezing out.<\/p>\n

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Then the acrylic was pressed into place<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After they had a lot of adhesive, they pushed the panel into place and pressed until it was securely attached to the wall.<\/p>\n

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Acrylic wall panel trimmed to fit the edge of the shower<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The side panels are cut to fit when they brought them in.<\/p>\n

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The trimmed to make it fit perfectly<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Then they fit the side acrylic panels into place. There was a tiny amount of trimming to make it fit perfectly.<\/p>\n

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This drill attachment cuts a perfect circle hole.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

They cut the holes for the shower and control valve. This drill attachment cuts a perfect circle hole.<\/p>\n

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The wall panel with the holes for the fixtures<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The holes line up, ready to stick it to the wall.<\/p>\n

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Plenty of adhesive to hold up the wall panel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Installing the shelves<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once the panels are up, they finish the fixtures and put up the shelves.<\/p>\n

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Three shelves<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

They finished putting the hardware on.<\/p>\n

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SeamLock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The shelves and edges are sealed with this sealant.<\/p>\n

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Two grab bars<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Finally they put up the grab bars.<\/p>\n

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Trim at the edge of the shower<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The last step is the trim where the shower touches the tile floor.<\/p>\n

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Trim covers the gap between the shower floor and the tile.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

They put this trim where the shower comes to the tile.<\/p>\n

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New acrylic shower with shelves and grab bars<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here is the finished shower.<\/p>\n

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Before & After
The old fiberglass tub and surround
The new acrylic shower<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here is before and after.<\/p>\n

I am so glad we didn\u2019t try this one by ourselves. They made it look easy, but it was still a lot of 2-man work. And as Cliff reminds me, he has a job and plumbing is not his job.<\/p>\n

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3 Keys to Maintaining the Appearance of Your New Bath<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

They left instructions to maintain the shower.<\/p>\n

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3 Keys to Maintaining the Appearance of Your New Bath<\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. Allow the Seam Lock to cure for at least 24 hours before using your tub\/shower.<\/li>\n
  2. Clean your new tub\/shower weekly with one of the approved cleansers listed below.<\/li>\n
  3. Remember to never use harsh chemicals on your new system \u2013 this will void the warranty. If you must use them on a clogged drain, funnel them into the drain.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Cleaning Tips:<\/h3>\n

    How to Clean Your Acrylic System<\/h3>\n

    We recommend using Scrub Free for your weekly cleaning. Just spray it on the walls and bathtub and wipe it down using either a sponge or a mesh bath sponge. Then rinse the walls and bathtub using a cup of water. Maintaining the unit this way is quick and easy! The key to getting the most out of your new acrylic tub\/shower is to understand that the acrylic material is non-porous and you should never use harsh chemicals or scrub with abrasive brushes.<\/p>\n

    Approved Cleansers<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Fantastic<\/li>\n
    • 409<\/li>\n
    • Non-Ammonia Windex<\/li>\n
    • Vinegar in Water<\/li>\n
    • Kaboom!<\/li>\n
    • Scrub Free<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n
      <\/div>\n