How to Cut a Hole in a Wall Panel in a Fiberglass Shower

Hole saws make cutting fiberglass holes effortless.

Fiberglass showers, which are sometimes called surrounds, consist of a tub base and individual fiberglass walls that are glued to the bathroom walls. The fiberglass is sometimes covered with an acrylic finish to enhance shine. Fiberglass showers are durable and last for years with proper care. If you are installing a new fiberglass shower, you may need to cut holes in the walls for the plumbing fixtures. Cutting through fiberglass shower panels requires a special saw and careful measurements.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Compass
• Sawhorses
• Safety glasses
• Dust mask
• Hole saw
• 1-inch spade bit (optional)
• Jigsaw (optional)

Instructions

1. Place a tape measure on the wall where you need to cut the hole and measure the exact location from the edge and bottom of the shower wall. Write down each measurement.

2. Lay the fiberglass shower panel on top of two sawhorses with the finished side facing down. Use the tape measure to transfer the measurements carefully onto the panel with a pencil. To make a perfect circle, insert the pencil into a compass before making the line on the wall panel.

3. Put on safety glasses and a dust mask and plug in a hole saw. Place the hole saw onto the shower panel, aligning it perfectly with the circular pencil mark. Squeeze the trigger to cut the hole out of the fiberglass shower panel.

4. Release the trigger and remove your dust mask and eye protection. Take the panel inside to test that the hole is in the proper location and is the proper size. If needed, take the panel back outside and perform additional cuts until the hole fits perfectly in the desired location.

Tips & Warnings

• Instead of a hole saw, you can use a 1-inch spade bit and drill or a jigsaw.

References

• Popular Mechanics; Installing a Tub Surround; Merle Henkenius
• The Family Handyman; Install an Acrylic Tub and Tub Surround; October 2005