Do you tile to the edge of the tub?
Plan to extend the tile 2 or 3 in. beyond the tub and to leave at least a half tile along the wall if possible. Don’t stop tile even with the end of the tub. This leaves the walls along the front of the tub vulnerable to water damage, and doesn’t look as finished as tile extending to the floor.
Do you grout between tile and tub?
Some contractors grout the space between the tile and tub. As a home settles, however, grout can crack. If this happens in your home, remove the grout and replace it with caulk. As we mentioned earlier, you can find different colors of caulk at your local home improvement store to match your grout.
How far above the tub should a tile be?
For a tub surround only, install the backerboard and tile at least 12 inches above the tub. For a high-end look, take the tile all the way to the ceiling. When tiling around a tub, mark the first layout line at the vertical edge of the tile next to the tub.
Is it better to caulk or grout around tub?
Since you are joining two different materials together, you should use caulk in the space where the floor tile and tub meet. Grout is not flexible, so it’s not the best material for the job, while caulk allows for movement and also provides a better sealant.
Do you need to caulk around tub?
Caulk should appear seamless while keeping your walls, windows, floors, and ceilings adjacent to showers, tubs, and toilets safe from the excess moisture that is typical in a bathroom.
Can I use silicone instead of grout?
Grout is a hardwearing emulsion but should only be used between joints of the same plane. This means any corners or bends that your tiles and fittings encounter should be handled with silicone instead. This is because grout is not flexible enough to withstand any structural movement. It is also not entirely waterproof.
Does backer board go over tub lip?
The best approach when installing cement board or other tile backer around a tub is to keep the cement board out of the lip area. Apply it to the wall with the bottom edge about 1/4 in. above the lip of the tub. Then apply a generous amount of thin-set to the bottom bathtub tile and position it 1/8 in.
Can you tile around an acrylic tub?
While you may not be able to install tile on your acrylic tub, you can certainly install tile around it. This is a common type of bathtub remodeling, in which a tile surrounding is installed in front of the tub.