How to Build an Apron for a Curved Tub

Place a section of 4-by-8-foot, 1/2-inch-thick plywood on top of the tub. Trace the contour of the tub on the underside of the plywood with a pencil. Remove the plywood section, turn it over and trace a second contour line 4 inches out from the first line.

Place the plywood sheet on top of another plywood sheet and align the edges. Tighten C-clamps along the perimeter of the sheets. Place the sheets on sawhorses.

Cut along the inner and outer outline through both plywood sections with a jigsaw. The cutouts form the top and bottom plates of the tub apron.

Measure the distance from the floor to the top of the tub with a measuring tape. Cut sections of 2-by-4-inch pressure-treated lumber 1 inch shorter than this measurement, using a circular saw, to form the apron studs. You need one stud for each end of the apron, plus an additional stud for each 16 inches of apron length.

Have a partner hold stand the plywood sections on edge. Place a stud at each end between the plywood sections. Using a drill equipped with a screwdriver bit, drive 4-inch wood screws through the plywood into the ends of the studs. Attach additional studs between the top and bottom plates in the same manner at 16-inch intervals.

Cut a section of 1/4-inch-thick bender board to the height of the apron. Attach the bender board to the studs with 4-inch wood screws. Trim the end of the board as necessary with a jigsaw. Paint the apron as desired with water-repelling paint and a 2-inch paintbrush.