Bathroom remodel question- my daughter and son-in-law are remodeling their master bath. They are doing it themselves with help from a relative who is a plumber. They are replacing a tub/shower combo with a separate tub and shower. They are having a hard time figuring out what to do for the tub deck. The shower will be tiled. The vanity is from Home Depot and came with a top. The floor will likely be tiled. They like the look of a solid tub deck but tile might be a lot less expensive. Any experience in solid tub decks? Best materials and is it something they can do themselves? If they go with tile they are struggling with what to use. The shower is a subway shaped tile. They donāt know yet what they will put on the floor. @coralbrook any ideas?
I donāt think subway tile would look particularly good for a tub deck. This is no doubt the reason that the interior designer I often work with nearly always puts a freestanding tub in! If itās possible Iād match the top of the sink. Or Iād do a slide in tub and put a half wall at the end. Something like this - it wouldnāt have to be this high.
Thanks. Good example. That would probably have been a better choice. I think they already ordered a drop in tub. I didnāt think the subway tile would look right on the tub deck.
I understand liking the look of that tub with the marble tub deck, but itās not a DIY job. It would be more expensive since it requires a large slab that has to be precisely cut for the tub in the middle.
Has the shower tile already been purchased? How about the floor tile? They might consider using the floor tile on the tub deck then covering the front with the shower tile. Iāve had wood fronting on an alcove/drop in tub and it got splashed when the bather stepped out of the tub.
I hope that Ditra or another good waterproof uncoupling membrane will be used for the entire bathroom.
Definitely no to subway tile on the tub deck. If they want a solid surface, it should be a match to the material used for the vanity top. Otherwise, it will be a hodgepodge of materials and styles. Also, a solid top without any seams would need to be professionally installed and would cost a small fortune (they will have to pay for the whole sheet of material and then have someone cut the opening for the tub in the middle of the sheet, which is quite wasteful).
Another idea. Our tub deck is covered with the same large marble tiles as the side of the tub and the floor. Maybe they can do something similar?
I donāt care for the deck around our tub. Climbing in and out over the deck is a PITA. I almost never use the bathtub partly for this reason. Itās also hard to reach in for cleaning, too.
I guess if you like it, youāll put up with the inconvenience, but I much prefer the setup in @mathmom 's photo.
Have they considered how impractical a tub deck can be? Have they ever had one for any length of time?
I actually like to have a deck around my tub. I use it for drying handwashables spread on towers and that is where I spread my candles, reading materials, and wine glasses while I bathe. The front lip of the deck can be made quite narrow for easy reach into the tub.
Weāve had both and I prefer to have a tub deck. Not only is it handy for a drink, magazines, etc., but itās also easier for me to use the tub when Iāve had surgery or been injured since I can sit on the tub deck and swing my feet over.
One feature Iāve always appreciated is a hand-held shower for a large tub. Not only is it nice to have for rinsing off but it makes cleaning the tub easier, too.
This is the tiled look I was talking about. Iām not a fan of the material but it is what it is.
Thank you, all great replies. She knows she canāt afford marble. I think any solid surface will be beyond what they want to spend.As someone mentioned she doesnāt want to have is a hodgepodge of surfaces. The shower tile has been purchased but they havenāt purchased a floor tile. I think the best solution might be something like @BunsenBurner photo. Iāll pass on the downside of the wood finished front.
They probably know thisā¦ Floor and Decor canāt be beat when it comes to tile selection. They might be able to find something there.
If I was doing a solid deck tub project on a budget, Iād consider wood. The cutting aspect is much easier/cheaper than stone. Ikea butcher block countertops come in different woods and finishes, are not too expensive, and seem to hold up pretty well (we have as countertops in two bathrooms). If the tub is used infrequently, I think it could be a good choice. Maybe not for heavy usage. Google āwood tub deckā for images in different styles (modern vs. classic). That being said, the only tub in our home is a freestanding that was pretty inexpensive (looks more expensive than it is), because I prefer that look.
Before we redid a bathroom, we had a hexagon tile on the floor, and same square tile on the tub deck and wall around the tub.
Please do not do butcher block - if anyone is a splasher, it will be toast soon. Plus, it will turn off many sellers if they decide to sell. Especially in a down market!
New question!
Our home was built in 1925 and has mostly original white oak floors (we replaced a few spots in the living room/foyer years ago otherwise 2 stories of original).
There are a few spots where a sliver of wood has come up. We hope to sell in 2022 - I thought maybe I could buy a wood filler and easily fill the spots, lightly sand the spot and even put a top coat on the very small spots.
Has anyone used a wood filler on floors? Iām seeing a couple of products - an Elmerās product,
a brand called Goodfilla (water based) that has really good reviews.
Any advice appreciated! I do have experience with wood furniture refinishing, repair, etc. so I know to try ONE spot to check results through the process first.
We have 100+ year old hard woods that canāt be sanded/refinished anymore. We have some spots were slivers of woods have come up and hav used the fillers and wood āpensā. Itās a great color match but for the wider fillers, it doesnāt work super. If you have the sliver that came out, weāve had better luck glueing it back down, and then using the filler around that.