Bathroom opinion needed

[Mr T]

I am planning to remodel our bathrooms. We are converting our master bath from a half to a full by adding a 48" shower.

This is a custom ranch from the 50's. It was a popular doctor's house, and considered high end for its time (indoor pool:) THe main bathroom's tub is castiron with a tile surround. We plan to resurface the tub and replace the tile surround with new tile.

As for the shower, We are planning tile walls. I want to keep fiberglass out of the question. (been advised by many people including appriasers). Looking for suggestions for the shower base.

I am doing the work myself and dont feel comfy with pouring a morter base. I checked a few dealers, and they offer a cultured marble base (our bathroom door thresholds are marble). It is the most expensive (and heaviest) option ive looked at.

Another product is called Swanstone. It is a resin base 1/4" thick available in solid or granite type surfaces. It is feels very solid, price is resonable. Just concerned it falls in the catagory with fiberglass. (the non slip surface on it, gives it a bit of a plastic look)

Opinions on this? We plan to have the house totaly restored, and sell it in the next 5 years.

[mdshunk]

Ummm... maybe you'd want a genuine tile man to do the rubber liner and the mudwork for the tile base, and you do the tile work yourself? As you know, this is quite critical work. Or maybe have him do the whole base, tile and all, the you just do the walls? Despite what the people at Home Depot tell you, not everything is a DIY project.

[suemarkp]

My shower has what sounds like the swanstone product -- a 1/4" resin product. I think it looks more upscale than those fiberglass panels. It is also warmer than tile. I don't know if you lean against the walls when you shower, but tile is cold for a while even with water beating on it. Same for the floor.

Those solid sheets have got to be a much easier job to install than tile. But, you should probably have a table saw to cut it or measure very carefully if the place that sells it will cut it for you. I want to redo my shower because the floor wasn't sloped much and its a little narrow, so I'll be learning more about the material and how easy/hard it is to cut.

[6pack]

Mr T! Follow up questions on your project.Also plan to have existing C/I tub resurfaced, are you satisfied.(if completed?) Not to know your business but what price did you get for this?(approx)
What and how did you finish your tiling at tub's surface? I at this point have my cement board fit to the tubs lip, leaving a (approx) 1/2" lip between tubs top and the cement board. Did you fit your tile to the tubs surface and then caulk. If so, did you do the cauking after the tubs resufacing? (dry time)

[Mr T]

That project is a ways off still... Just got our taxes back. And it looks like we may shift things around a bit. As for the tub surface, I am planning on trying it myself. Home Depot sells a tub resurfacing kit that i want to try. Cost is 20$. It is a self leveling epoxy.. If it doesnt work, i can still have it done or just rip the thing out.

I'll update once done. Not sure how far off it is as of this point. We may do some outdoors work first, and do this when summer heat kicks in.