On Apr 30, 2:36*pm, "Jon Danniken"
wrote:
"Joe" wrote:
The more pieces the more future leaks. Bonding all the parts to the
substrate and to each other takes some skill and first class
materials. Done well, you could get reasonable service from the
installation, but IMO it is risky if you have teens in the household.
Shop carefully, as a premium price doesn't always equate to the best
project.

Thanks Joe, that's also what one of the designers suggested to me at the
store. *My problem is that my tub/tub area is a little shy of the 60 inches
in width, which is required to get the three-piece units I have seen.

I am also considering getting one that is taller than the common 60" tall..
I've seen some water issues on the paint directly above 60" tall surrounds,
so I am strongly considering one of the taller ones.

Right now I'm looking at the American Shower and Bath model 39454:

http://www.asbcorp.com/products3.asp?prod=144

It's tall (80"), and I am hoping it is going to be a little higher quality
than the cheaper units. *It's a little past my budget (the unit is $230,
before adhesives), but since it is going to be there for awhile, I think I
can justify the cost based on a long-term usage perspective.

I'm not really crazy about the style, and it's a five-piece, but that's
about all I'm able to come up with so far.

Jon

I've seen some water issues on the paint directly above 60" tall
surrounds, so I am strongly considering one of the taller ones.

I'm not sure a taller unit will eliminate the paint issue. Now that
you mention it, I do have a little extra touch up to do above the unit
in my main bath when I repaint this summer.

My gut feeling is that regardless of how tall the unit is, you are
still going to get moisture on the wall above the unit which is going
to drip down and sit on the "ledge" atop the unit. I don't think it
has anything to do with direct shower water contact - I believe it's
condensation.

I guess you could make the argument that less wall above the unit
means less condensation to drip down, but I don't know if it will
eliminate the peeling paint.