I'm looking for some budget-friendly ideas to update the bath surround in my 1920s craftsman home. Currently, I have these awful brown and red stone acrylic panels that just don't fit with the modern craftsman vibe I want. I'm tackling this DIY project myself, but I'd prefer to avoid the cheap-looking one-piece surrounds. I'm wondering if it's possible to tile directly over the acrylic panels, or if I'd need to take them down and reinstall waterproofing? Also, are there any decent plastic tiles that could go over the acrylic? If I decide to remove the panels, what kind of work should I expect? Just as a side note, we have two little ones, and this is our only bathroom, so I need to keep that in mind!
3 Answers
Unfortunately, you can’t tile directly over acrylic panels. While tiling is a long-lasting solution, it does require some investment and can be a bit tricky to do yourself. If you'd rather not dive into tiling just yet, there are companies that can resurface your current acrylic shower, though I’d recommend going with a professional service instead of the DIY kits—they really don’t compare in quality.
Have you checked out NexTile for a tub surround? It’s a nice option because you can also add some tile accents in the niches. Just a heads up—some designs might intrude on your arm space if you have a smaller tub.
Tiling over a one-piece acrylic surround isn’t common since those are usually secured right to the studs. Removing it isn’t too complex, and generally, acrylic doesn’t use waterproofing behind it, which is good to know! If you want to install a tile surround, you’ll need to set up a new waterproofing system first. And just a heads up, if you're DIY-ing, have a backup bathing option because it might take a while to complete.