How to Make Bathtub Enclosures

Measure out the area for the tub surround with a measuring tape. Tile board panels typically come in 4-by-8 foot lengths. Your measurements will help you determine how many panels are necessary and what cuts you will need to make.

Trace out the cut lines on the back of the tile board with a pencil. Mark any panels that need to be trimmed to make the cutting process easier.

Cut through the panels with a rotary saw. Use a new blade so that you get a clean edge. Trim all of the necessary panels to fit.

Apply a low VOC adhesive to the back of the tile board and the wall with a trowel. Hold the trowel at a 45 degree angle and coat the back of the tile board with a thin layer of adhesive. To ensure a solid fit, repeat the process with the wall studs or drywall and apply a thin coat of adhesive to those surfaces. Let the adhesive cure for 5 to 10 minutes.

Press the tile board onto the wall or wall studs. Press hard to create a good seal. Continue until all of the panels are installed on the walls.

Tape off the seams and edge joints with two pieces of masking tape. Leave a 1/4-inch space between the tape,with the seam or edge centered in between. This makes the caulking process easier.

Apply silicone caulk to the seams and edge joints. Load the caulk into the caulking gun. Pull the trigger of the caulking gun to smoothly squeeze out a 1/4-inch bead between your masking tape lines.

Smooth out the caulk with the bottom of the spoon. This gives the caulk a professional appearance. If you are wearing gloves, you can also use the end of your finger to smooth it out.

Remove the masking tape immediately. Do not allow the caulk to cure with the masking tape still on -- it will create a permanent bond.

Let the caulk cure for at least 24 hours before using the tub. Failing to do so may result in the degradation of the caulk's waterproofing abilities.