How To Install Shower Base And Tile Walls

With thousands of available tiles that can be mixed in countless ways you can create unique shower walls.

How to install shower base and tile walls.

We added a second layer of 1 2 in. Screw the backer board to the studs with cement. That way if you do have to cut tile to fit they ll be at the bottom where the tub or shower pan might be slightly out of level. For the vertical layout begin your pattern at the top of the wall so there ll be full uncut tile at the top.

Mark the locations of all studs along the top edge of the backer board. Attach a straight board to the backer board along the line. In our project we installed the board on the shower wall at 72 1 2 from the top. In fact tiled shower walls typically rise about 80 inches above floor level.

If you plan to cut the bottom row of tile start your installation with the second row. Set the tile panels on the side walls with thinset the same way as for the back wall using the starter board. Measure the width of the shower walls on either side of the door. Draw a leveled line where the bottom of the second row will fall.

Underlayment under the entire shower for a sturdier floor and to better match the finished floor height 1 2 in. If you need to preserve the original floor height skip the second layer but add blocking under the single layer patch to fully support the shower base. In our project one wall is 31 and the other is 36. Begin the bathroom tile installation with the second row up from the bottom.

How to install tiled shower walls with a prefab base place a sheet of cement backer board against the studs starting with one inside corner. Be sure the backer board sits. Use a starter board as a straight edge whenever you do a vertical tile installation to ensure panels go in straight and level image 1. Screw the starter board directly into the cement board and remove it after completing a series of panels.

If the shower base is uneven tiles will have to be cut to fit the last row. The space between the top of the shower tile and the ceiling is often painted waterproof drywall. Sometimes the tile rises to meet the ceiling as well. Dry lay the panels and measure them to see where you need to make cuts.