How to Cover Edges of Tub Surrounds

Learn how to cover edges of tub surrounds so that they can blend into your bathroom ambiance. Your bathtub surround will be the perfect way to protect your bathroom walls and create a cozy feel. Take a relaxing soak in the tub and enjoy the new environment without worrying about water damaging your bathroom walls after following the steps below. 

Step 1 – Fill Gaps with Caulk 

After attaching the tub surround to the wall, look for any potential gaps. Point your caulking fun at the gap and apply a bead of caulk. Use the putty knife to push the caulk into the gap and smooth out the visible surface. Repeat for the rest of the gaps, and then wait for the caulk to dry before continuing on to the next step. 

Step 2 – Prepare the Area 

You’ll be working with the wall just outside of the edges of your tub surround. This wall area should be cleaned with a wet cloth before you start any work. You want to remove all dirt and debris. Also, cover your bathtub with plastic during the tiling process so that it isn’t harmed or dirtied by the tiling materials. 

Step 3 – Set the Tiles

We’ll be covering the edges of the tub surround with tile. Apply tile adhesive with a trowel. Press each tile into place into the adhesive one-by-one from the ends into the center. For the corners, use a tile cutter to score the tiles into the appropriate sizes. Hold the two sides of the tile firmly when you break the unnecessary piece off. Tile spacers should be positioned on all four sides of each tile. You can tile up to the height you desire. Leave the tiles and their spacers for 12 hours before moving on. 

Step 4 – Grout the Tiles 

Make sure the grout you purchase is waterproof. Pour the grout into a container and use the putty knife to mix the compound with the appropriate amount of water based on the manufacturer’s instructions. After taking off all of the tile spacers, apply the grout into the gaps with a rubber float. Make sure to push the grout firmly into the spaces because you want to get it all the way in. Now, use the rubber float to smooth out the visible surface. Excess grout should be periodically wiped off with a clean wet cloth. Leave the grout to dry for at least 12 hours. 

Step 5 – Caulk the Joint 

Get your caulking gun ready to add the finishing touch. Apply a bead of caulk to the joint between the tub surround and the first layer of tiles. This is to make sure no water will enter from splashing. As above, use the putty knife to smooth out the visible surface. When the caulk dries, you’ve successfully finished covering the edges of your tub surround!