Wall Panels and Surrounds for Walk-In Tubs: Acrylic 3-Panel Kits, Cultured Marble, and PVC Tiles

Wall panels and surrounds for walk-in tubs from Ella's Bubbles come in four families: an acrylic 3-panel wall kit, SMC subway-pattern wall kits, cultured marble wall panels, and grout-free tongue-and-groove PVC wall tiles. None of these is a tub-specific surround molded to one model. They are wall systems that you cut and fit to your space, so the key rule is that whatever you choose must match the tub footprint exactly and overlap the tile flange and deck so water stays in front of the wall. Availability of each line changes over time, so please check the current shower and accessories pages on ellasbubbles.com or ask your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 before ordering.

Acrylic 3-Panel Wall Kit

The acrylic Shower Wall Panel 3-piece kit is one wide back panel and two side panels that give you a waterproof, easy-to-clean surface that resists stains and scratches. Older kits measure 36 by 97 inches on the sides and 60 by 97 on the back; the current kits are 40 by 60 by 98 or 40 by 60 by 105 inches, and a shorter 40 by 48 by 60 inch version is offered as a walk-in tub surround. It is available in various patterns, finishes, and colors, including CNC engraved marble and stone patterns. The installation manual for the CNC engraved pattern kit is published at this link, and the kits are shown at ellasbubbles.com/showers/three-panel-kit/marble-stone-acrylic-shower-wall-kits/. The 6-panel surround is the only kit with built-in reversible shelves.

Watch: How to Cut Acrylic Shower Wall Panels Safely | Ellau2019s Bubbles Cutting Guide on its own page.

The video above demonstrates safe cutting of the acrylic panels. When you cut acrylic panels to size for an odd-shaped alcove or a window, the cut edges are finished with trim strips or sealant from a tile or building supply store, since Ella's Bubbles does not supply custom edge pieces. The glue-only method, silicone dot spacing and 24 hour bracing are in installing the SMC kit, the 3-panel kit and the tiles.

SMC Subway Wall Kits

SMC (sheet molded compound) panels are a pressed fiberglass composite with a glossy white subway tile pattern, an integrated flange on each panel and a tongue-and-groove interlock. The 12-piece kit covers 36 by 60 by 96 inches, a 9-piece kit reaches 72 inches high, and a 6-piece kit at 48 inches high is sized for walk-in tub surrounds that do not need floor-to-ceiling coverage. They go up bottom row first on 100 percent silicone with overlapping flanges, so there are no grout lines to maintain.

Cultured Marble Wall Panels

Watch: Transform Your Shower with Cultured Marble Wall Surround with chapters and a full transcript.

As the video explains, Ella's cultured marble travertine shower walls are made from a natural quartz and granite composite with a gel coat surface, for a natural look and feel that is durable and easy to clean. They come as multi-piece surrounds of eight, six, or four panels, and the panels are light enough to be carried and installed by one person. The panels are glued over drywall, plaster, painted walls, Durock, or even existing tiles. The edges are factory finished for seamless joining, but they can be trimmed and cut for a custom fit. Please note that this line has had limited availability, and matching replacement panels are not always available, so if color matching matters to you, ask our team about current stock and consider ordering a spare.

Grout-Free Tongue-And-Groove PVC Tiles

The PVC grout-less tiles are a simple way to upgrade a shower or bath enclosure. They can be placed over new or existing surfaces and fit together with a snug tongue-and-groove connection. The video shows the full sequence: Watch: Ella's Bubbles: Grout-less Tongue & Groove PVC Carrara Tile Installation with chapters and a full transcript.

1. Measure carefully.
2. Score and then snap the tile to get the precise piece you need.
3. Apply adhesive to the back of the tile. Our team recommends Loctite construction adhesive.
4. Place a thin bead of silicone at each joint to ensure a watertight seal.
5. Set the tile and snap it into place, then continue to the next.

The tiles measure 12 inches by 24 inches and come 8 tiles to a box, and one box covers 16 square feet. To estimate your order, measure the square footage of the walls you plan to cover, divide by 16, and round up, adding a little extra for cuts. Finishes have included Carrara white and brushed concrete. Current styles are listed at ellasbubbles.com/showers/accessories-and-fixtures/tongue-and-groove-shower-wall-tile/.

Fitting the Surround to Your Tub

• Wall surround kits must match the tub's exterior footprint exactly. An ill-fitting surround creates gaps that let water behind the walls, which is a serious long-term problem.
• Panels and tiles should overlap the tile flange and the flat deck, and every joint gets silicone caulk. Our tile flange article covers that detail.
• Ella's Bubbles does not provide corner trim pieces, edge trim, or replacement window trim. Tile shops carry suitable trims for corners and cut edges.
• For some models, such as the Transfer60, there is no model-specific surround. Many customers use tile or a universal surround from another supplier, sized to the footprint.
• If your tub sits in a 60 inch alcove with an extension panel, the wall system finishes over the panel as well; see will it fit my alcove.

Cutting Around a Window

If there is a window in the installation area, you cut the back wall panel to create the opening for the window, and the existing window trim is cut as needed. Ella's Bubbles does not provide replacement trim, so plan to finish the window edges with trim and sealant from a local supplier. Measure the window twice and cut the panel on a flat, supported surface.

Related Guides

• How Shower Wall Edges Are Finished: 2-Inch Bends on White CNC Walls and Trim Options
• Will a Walk-In Tub Fit Where My Old Tub or Shower Stall Is Now?
• Do Ella Shower Stall Walls Come Smooth, or Only With the Molded Tile Pattern?
• How to Get Pricing and Order Ella Grout-Free Shower Wall Tiles: Measuring Your Walls and Estimating Boxes
• Acrylic 6-Piece Wall Panel Kit: Size, Shelves, Thickness and How It Compares to the 3-Piece Surround and SMC Panels
• Where Can I Buy Cultured Marble Shower Walls, and Is Acrylic Better?

For the stock panel sizes, how to pick the right width for each wall, and how to cut and finish the edges, see cultured marble shower wall panels: stock sizes, cutting to fit, and finishing the edges.

Common Questions

Have a question that depends on your exact model or configuration? Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and our technical support team will be glad to help you and your installer.

The video above shows the CNC engraved acrylic wall kits, which install exactly like the flat 3-panel kit. Watch: Upgrade Your Bathroom With Custom Engraved Shower Walls on its own page.