Tub / Shower combo options! OPINIONS please!

[Matt Romano]

How's it going BP family? First off, Happy New Year!!!  I hope everyone accomplished some incredible things last year, as we look forward to another amazing year ahead!

I am currently renovating a 1 bed / 1 bath unit that I will occupy for a short while before renting out and moving on the the next endeavor.  The bathroom is completely gutted, and I was hoping you guys could shed some light on tub / shower combo options.  To paint the picture a little better, I think this unit will rent for at least $800 ($900 if I'm lucky) once its completed and when I move out.  I was going to do a cast iron tub with a tile surround, along with a tile floor.  I understand that this is probably the most tenant-proof option, however I've decided against it recently mainly because Im way too eager to move out of the parents, and I just want to get this project finished and be living comfortably. So now I'm thinking more along the lines of a composite Tub with a 3 piece direct-to-stud surround. Not to mention they have some nice looking linoleum nowadays or even the life-proof floating floor. I believe this could be a much quicker answer to my project, while still remaining aesthetically pleasing and durable for tenant abuse.  What are you experiences and thoughts with this stuff BP?!?! thanks in advance :)

[Roy N.]

@Dan Kelley

One piece units are my preference for new construction or if you have lots of room (and large doorways), but are frequently impossible to use for a retrofit/renovation simply because you cannot get them to, or into, the bathroom.

We use a couple of 3-piece models with rolled/sloped seems which the manufacturer claims will drain and require no caulking.  We typically assemble with a bead of silicone between the mating flanges, but do not caulk the front roll of the seams.   Oldest one is almost 7-years in a student rental (never gets cleaned, unless we do it) and no mould.