Anyone tiled their shower?

[mirefire 2.0]

We just built the house in Dec. and like most everything about it, however I really think the master shower should be tiled, instead of the fiberglass/plastic shower insert thing. I am pretty sure that by ripping out the shower insert and tiling it, I can add on about 4"-6" more lateral space. How hard is it to take it down to studs and waterproof it and tile it?

I will try to get a picture up soon..

[KBScobravert]

There have been a few that have posted their remodels. SGT Beavis (SP?) comes to mind.

Every time I shower I want to get the claw hammer out and start to demo. Lately I have been thinking about doing granite slabs on the walls, etc in place of tile.

[8mpg]

I have done a couple... It all depends on how waterproof you want it. I say that because there are so many different ways and so many different prices to do it. If I were going to do another shower and wanted a quality job, I would use Kerdi or Hydroban. Neither are cheap waterproofing membranes but I think Hydroban would be cheaper. Hydroban is a paintable membrane and Kerdi is a mat that is put up with thinset. Did Kerdi in my parents shower and it was probably average of $2.50/ft to install (kerdi and thinset). Just did my cousins who got cheapass and got a gypsum board with a fiberglass backer on one side and membrane on the other. NOT A FAN. Id rather have done hardibacket and use some redguard on the seams.

check out the john bridge forum. Its a tiling forum (Tile Your World). Great info with quite a few professional tile setters.

If you are going to do this, rent or buy a GOOD tile saw. Dont do a shitty job with an $80 tilesaw from Lowes. The Harbor Freight sliding table saw works great. I have done 3 showers, granite tile coutertops, 2 bathroom floors, and a fireplace with it. For the $150 I paid for it, it was well worth it (sidewalk sale +20% off coupon)

[petyweestraw]

I used to do it for a living. I loved taking a rotted out shower and making it New again. Was good at it but the owners wife was a real bitch and please me off so I walked out.

_______________________________________
"Do you call him uncle daddy?"

[goofygrin]

the follow up question (since this topic is relavent to my interests) is how do you keep the tile and grout from getting nasty. Between the soap and the hard water we get the staining that's common. Is there a sealant that should be used? The only thing that seems to work is scrubbing it almost daily. And we have to replace the caulking at least yearly to remove all of it's nastiness.

[8mpg]

seal it

[Sgt Beavis]

You can read about my master bath remodel here: http://www.dfwmustangs.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=32354

I don't think you'll get as much room as you think by replacing the fiberglass insert. During the rebuild, you will have to strip it down to the studs. you'll have to use greenboard (paperless drywall) or Hardiboard (cement fiber) for the walls but that stuff is not water proof, so you'll still need a membrane as 8mpg said. I used RedGuard, which is basically a rubber coating that you brush onto the walls and you can tile right over it. Beyond that, you have to worry about your shower tray (the part you stand on). You can use a fiberglass/plastic tray or you can build one with mortar. There are kits out there for the mortar tray that will help you get the slope perfect for drainage.

There are lots of websites and instructional videos on how to do this. I highly recommend doing a lot of research before you even think of starting. Also make sure you have a good price estimate for your materials. Don't think this will be a weekend job. You can expect to have your shower out of commission for a month (longer if you procrastinate).

One more thing. You might want to seriously consider getting a contractor to do it. It might be worth the money to avoid the headache, unless you're like me and live for this stuff..

[jw33]

I have done a couple... It all depends on how waterproof you want it. I say that because there are so many different ways and so many different prices to do it. If I were going to do another shower and wanted a quality job, I would use Kerdi or Hydroban. Neither are cheap waterproofing membranes but I think Hydroban would be cheaper. Hydroban is a paintable membrane and Kerdi is a mat that is put up with thinset. Did Kerdi in my parents shower and it was probably average of $2.50/ft to install (kerdi and thinset). Just did my cousins who got cheapass and got a gypsum board with a fiberglass backer on one side and membrane on the other. NOT A FAN. Id rather have done hardibacket and use some redguard on the seams.

check out the john bridge forum. Its a tiling forum (Tile Your World). Great info with quite a few professional tile setters.

If you are going to do this, rent or buy a GOOD tile saw. Dont do a shitty job with an $80 tilesaw from Lowes. The Harbor Freight sliding table saw works great. I have done 3 showers, granite tile coutertops, 2 bathroom floors, and a fireplace with it. For the $150 I paid for it, it was well worth it (sidewalk sale +20% off coupon)

Everything he said especially the john bridge forum. And yes it will take longer than a weekend, but it will be worth it in the end if you take your time. If you do sub it out be super careful who you go with. There are a lot of hacks out there who do this for a living and don't know their head from their ass. You will be tearing it all out in a year or two if it leaks so make sure it is done correct. It isn't rocket science, but you need to take your time and use quality stuff if you want it to last. Use epoxy grout (Spectralock) and seal the tile if you are worried about keeping it clean.

http://www.dfwstangs.net/forums/showthread.php?t=405796&highlight=shower

[wishitwasasvt]

yessir, we had our master shower tiled and two shower heads installed. i highly recommend tiling the shower..

[dcs13]

Use the hardibacker and plastic behind it for a barrier. Just takes patience and it helps a LOT if the walls are square to start with...
Finishing up a tile bath in my rental as we speak...Taking longer than I wanted, but looks awesome

[mirefire 2.0]

Great stuff in this thread and the one from Canada... anyone know if DumpyCapri is still around for the product hookup?

[95DRGT]

There's a saying 'pay them for what they do'. I would heed this advice unless you have solid experience.
I tackled my daughters with my son in law and it was a whipping. He had some solid construction experience but we opted for large tiles which where a PITA to work with and get to setup. The demo of the old shower wasn't too bad but the amount of material (old tile shower) and the mess it created was a bitch

[SMEGMA STENCH]

seal it

Does the caulk seal well

You can read about my master bath remodel here: http://www.dfwmustangs.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=32354


One more thing. You might want to seriously consider getting a contractor to do it. It might be worth the money to avoid the headache, unless you're like me and live for this stuff..

holy crap how much did all that cost even doing it yourself

[STANGGT40]

I've got a tile installer contact that has done several shower remodels for me (as well as friends and family)....he does an excellent job and he's very reasonably priced. He's great at any kind of tile or flooring work.

John Green
972-890-2366

Tell him that brad sent you