| Author | Message | ||
| Douglas Tappan (Dougthebonifiedbusnut)
Registered Member Username: Dougthebonifiedbusnut Post Number: 98 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 75.69.223.64  Rating: N/A |
Hey All, I'm in the the middle of constructing the bathroom. I am going to tile the shower and need some advice. I have the walls up with 3/8 bc plywood and i will be putting the tile directly on the plywood.Has anyone done this.? and should I paint the plywood first? Or do I have to put backerboard first. I am concerned about weight but not that much that the extra weight woulld be a show stopper. Guidence please. | ||
| David Evans (Dmd)
Registered Member Username: Dmd Post Number: 323 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 173.68.141.145  Rating: N/A |
Use the backerboard! | ||
| doug yes (Dougg)
Registered Member Username: Dougg Post Number: 91 Registered: 1-2007 Posted From: 174.131.127.147 Rating: N/A |
Yes use the backerboard. Use high quality latex-modified thin set to set the tiles, it's worth the few extra bucks. You could even use tubes of construction adhesive if vibration is an issue. | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 795 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.208.77.217 Rating: N/A |
or....use shower pan liner first, then tile...for me, I would re think the tile above a couple of feet. Do it your way! (FF " ") RCB | ||
| Stephen Fessenden (Sffess)
Registered Member Username: Sffess Post Number: 757 Registered: 1-2002 Posted From: 66.38.120.219 Rating: N/A |
Check THIS OLD HOUSE to see what membrane they used with adhesive to make a shower and shower pan over plywood (OSB). There are several degress of flexible thinset. In the Mapai line ultraflex RS is the most flexible in all directions and sets much faster. | ||
| Rob King (Skykingrob)
Registered Member Username: Skykingrob Post Number: 37 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 72.161.24.148 Rating: |
Hi Doug I am currently working on this very thing in my coach. I put up 3/4" plywood, then using flexable thinset with a 1/4" X 1/4" trowel put 3/16" hardibacker, then applying the flexable thinset mortar with a 1/4" X 3/8" trowel for the marble. You are advised on the thinset what size trowel to use for the type of stone/tile you will be mounting. I am making the joints 1/16" to prevent water instrusion as much as possible. I also built my own pan using a home made plywood curb and pouring concrete in with a slope to the drain by building my own tapered screeds out of treated 3/4" plywood. I am just now grouting the marble tile walls. I bought the ultraflex thinset from Lowes. Also remember when buying the grout, you want to buy the ultraflex additive to mix with the grout instead of water so the grout also flexes. If you want to talk on the phone about this further, let me know, I will give my number. If you want to "converse" more through email, I am okay with that as well. Rob 91 Prevost LeMirage XL Missouri | ||
| David Lower (Dave_l)
Registered Member Username: Dave_l Post Number: 160 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 67.58.201.132  Rating: N/A |
Hi Doug you can buy this fabric at Lowes or Home depot it is orange colour dont remember the name of it. but to instal you trowel on thinset on to the plywood 3/16 notch trowel then press the fabric into the thinset with a rubber float after it is set then tile away thinset tile grout. the fabric is water proof and can be used on the walls and floor and to wrap the curb if you are having one. you can buy shower pans and curbs that you cut to size also. Dave L. | ||
| Jim Wallin (Powderseeker01)
Registered Member Username: Powderseeker01 Post Number: 23 Registered: 10-2008 Posted From: 68.200.39.126  Rating: N/A |
Use thinset on the concrete floor and on concrete backer board, use mastic for wood and/or drywall. Use closed cell foam insulation for stiffining the structure first. | ||
| Peter River (Whitebus)
Registered Member Username: Whitebus Post Number: 99 Registered: 4-2009 Posted From: 204.62.111.51  Rating: N/A |
not to go off the topic, but has anyone thought of making the shower collapseable? by making the side out of accordion like material, that can be deployed when in use and have the floor fold up, you could save 75% of the space, and you can afford to make it bigger, which would be a blessing for us large guys... | ||
| doug yes (Dougg)
Registered Member Username: Dougg Post Number: 92 Registered: 1-2007 Posted From: 174.131.127.147 Rating: N/A |
Remember, Mastic can take days to dry. Read the small print. | ||
| Stephen Fessenden (Sffess)
Registered Member Username: Sffess Post Number: 758 Registered: 1-2002 Posted From: 66.38.120.219 Rating: N/A |
The adhesive used on THIS OLD HOUSE did not look like thinset. It was white, and I'm pretty sure they would not use white thinset under a shower pan etc. Costs more. | ||
| Brian Elfert (Belfert)
Registered Member Username: Belfert Post Number: 81 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.72.107.232 Rating: N/A |
3/8" plywood is unlikely to make a good substrate for tile. I used it to build my bathroom wall (no tile) and it is not all that stiff. I would suspect even with the most flexible adhesive that you would have problems without backer board. | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
Registered Member Username: Kyle4501 Post Number: 478 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 65.23.106.193  Rating: N/A |
If excessive weight is a show stopper, Why use ceramic tile? I bought a house that had plastic wall tiles in the kitchen, looked like ceramic - until we started the demo. . . . BTW, tile may be water proof, but a tilled wall isn't water proof. Water will find it's way thru. Another alternative is to build the shower out of plywood & have a bedliner sprayed in. Light weight, various colors available, not as cold to the touch, less prone to cracking, . . . . If using ceramic tiles, when the base flexes more than the tile/grout can, you WILL get cracking. If it were me ( & I had to use ceramic tiles & was concerned with total weight), I'd brace & seal the 3/8" existing plywood before adding 1/4" backer board. Then I'd use a high performance mastic to install small tiles. Then follow up with a flexable grout. | ||
| Douglas Tappan (Dougthebonifiedbusnut)
Registered Member Username: Dougthebonifiedbusnut Post Number: 99 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 75.69.223.64 Rating: N/A |
Hey Kyle, Thats a real interesting idea, but would it stick to the wood or could the wood be painted or something first? The bedliner I mean. | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
Registered Member Username: Kyle4501 Post Number: 482 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 65.23.106.193 Rating: N/A |
I'd imagine you would need to prime the wood first, but check with the bedliner installer/ manufacturer first. | ||
| Douglas Tappan (Dougthebonifiedbusnut)
Registered Member Username: Dougthebonifiedbusnut Post Number: 100 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 75.69.223.64 Rating: N/A |
Hey Kyle, are you the guy I met at Lake George? | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
Registered Member Username: Kyle4501 Post Number: 483 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 70.153.13.139 Rating: N/A |
'fraid not | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 825 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 70.210.175.106 Rating: N/A |
Doug..what Lake George...Colorado?...used to live close...Woodland Park. BTW.. no criticism here, but seems to me you are making a much bigger project out of that "bath" than necessary. Lots of ways of skinnin' cats, and ceramic tile is only one. I used both ceramic and vinyl "panels" in mine...looks good.. so far no problems; relatively easy to do. KISS is my method. Do it your way...(FF quote)  RCB |
