Are Bathtub Wall Surrounds Hard to Install?

Remove the old bathtub surround materials. This may be tile or a previous surround. In either case, this process will likely break the wallboard behind the materials. Replace the wallboard with a green board or other moisture-tolerant material before continuing with the surround project. Use 1 1/2-inch drywall screws to attach the green board to the studs placing the screws every eight inches. Removing and replacing the wallboard may be the most difficult part of the project.

Test-fit the surround pieces to the wall. This will determine whether the pieces fit together while fitting to the tub. This will also determine whether the shower control valve and spout fit the precut holes in the surround. Nonstandard fixture placement may require moving the plumbing, which increases the difficulty of the project.

Spread beads of construction adhesive on the backs of the panels. Place the beads about eight inches apart around the entire piece of the surround. Press the surround pieces to the wall of the bathroom. Hold the pieces in place for 30 seconds to a minute.

Seal any seams of the surround with silicone caulk. Reinstall the plumbing fixtures, using appropriately sized wrenches, and apply caulk around the base of each.