How do I waterproof the wall around a recessed bath tub?

Old house; walls had tile part way up. Now I have it stripped down to the sheetrock. A tub surround won't work because the ceiling is sloped. Is tile my only option? Open to all creative ideas!How do I waterproof the wall around a recessed bath tub?
first you need to replace the sheetrock with greenboard, which is moisture resistant and required for all new construction and remodel work for moisture prone areas, like bathrooms.





since you don't want to put in a tub surround (you may be able to cut one to fit your ceiling, then tile is the way to go.





make sure you pick wall tile and not floor tile, wall tile is thinner and lighter in weight than floor tile. you don't need to get the most expensive tile, just something within your budget that looks good.





tile will increase the value of your property more than a tub surround anyway.