A tight budget and the fact that this is the only bathroom in the house, didn’t allow for a major remodel when I bought the fixer, fours years ago. The tub/shower was the thing I wanted/needed to get done right away. I removed the old dry wall, tile and wall panel. After installing the new cement board, I purchased FRP panels (Fiberglass-reinforced plastic) for my tub/shower surround.
FRP panels are a laminate surface wall and ceiling panel that is ideal for wet environments like bathrooms. Fiberglass is mixed with plastic to produce panels that are tough, durable and water-resistant. FRP can be installed in any area of a bathroom and will help ensure the walls remain easy to clean, for the life of the installation.
This is what I had in mind minus the price – Swanstone 3-Piece Easy Up Tub Wall.
This is what I created: My own “Easy Up” with these 4×8 FRP panels for $33 each.
To install the FRP, you need
- FRP adhesive to glue it to drywall
- PVC divider moulding
- PVC inside corner moulding
- PVC outside corner moulding
- Tin snip for cutting
- Silicone Sealant
The FRP panels provide a very basic, clean, simple look – they may not be for everyone. Some people prefer the high-end look of tile. And that’s fine too. Heck, maybe someday I’ll have tile in the shower. But in the meantime, FRP is extremely durable, resists mildew, moisture and staining and is easy to clean. It’s also a lot more affordable.
Have a great week!
Tilesbay
February 2, 2018Thanks for sharing this great post!! 🙂
sabines
February 5, 2018I’m happy you liked it!
Teresa
June 10, 2018How did you attach the bottom to the tub?
sabines
June 10, 2018I used an adhesive to secure the fiberglass to the wall. The bottom of the fiberglass touches the bathtub. Final step is to caulk everything.
Margaret C. Davis
July 26, 2018I am grateful to have found your article about fiberglass wall panels. Thanks for sharing such a good article. I did get good knowledge about what type of fiberglass should I get designed for my new panels. I will try it. keep up a great post.
Josh
August 15, 2018I just started doing this to my tub surround. How did you do the corners were the mouldings meet?
sabines
August 15, 2018I used PVC inside and outside corner mouldings as well as divider moulding. I finished it off with silicone caulking.
Becca
August 16, 2018Looks very nice! But is it hard to clean soap scum buildup off that textured material? My husband just tore out our tub/surround and wants to do this but im a mom of 3 littles and i dont have time to scrub 🙂 how often do u have to clean it?
sabines
August 17, 2018Thank you, Becca. This tub surround is so easy to clean and I never have soap scum buildup. So much easier to clean than tile and grout. After using it for several years, it still looks clean and white. I clean it once a week. Material is durable, inexpensive and also looks good, in my opinion. Hope this helps and thank you for reading.
Robert Chase
November 6, 2018What a fabulous idea maker you are? I really appreciate your hard work. Such an informative post you share. A lot blog I search this things but It is success by following you. How to clean shower door dust which freezes in the bottom?
Tfederick
November 6, 2018Love the bathroom and it’s my inspiration at the moment .Would you please tell what you used for your window frame?TIA
sabines
November 11, 2018I removed the window frame before installing the fiberglass. It’s wood primed and painted. I think I used paint made for boats. Really waterproof and performs well in the shower. Once the fiberglass was in place, I caulked around the window and then reinstalled the window frame. Hope this helps.
William Shepherd
October 26, 2020There are also pvc trim boards in common sizes that are made for use in wet environments such as a shower, I have used them often in apartment buildings I have remodeled and they hold up very well.
tom
January 11, 2021Looks great! I just finished a similar project as yours. Our shower has the window in about the same location – how has that worked for you long term? Does a lot of water collect in the window?
Sabine
February 1, 2021Thank you. Window and fiberglass are both holding up well. No issue at all.
Julliya
February 5, 2021Wow what a great piece of content I have found… Its very important article for me and I thought It will be beneficial for all those who are renovate their bathrooms..
Thanks for sharing this article to us..
Earl
February 12, 2021What a great article I found today that it will be the best part of this article that it will help in the renovation of house… Thank you for this amazing piece content