Table of Contents
What goes under tile in shower?
Whenever installing tile in any area of your house, you need a special substrate, or base layer. In showers, the standard substrate is tile backer, also called cement board or cement backer board.
Can you put tile on shower base?
Shower floors, also called shower pans, are often tiled to create a stable standing surface for bare feet and to add decorative flair to the bathroom. You can put tiles over existing tiled shower pans as long as they are structurally intact, have no visible damage and do not leak.
Where do you start when tiling a shower?
Always tile the back wall first in a shower/tub so that you can hide the grout joints on the sides.
Do I need a shower pan under tile?
If you plan to install a tile floor in your shower, a shower pan is crucial because it provides a waterproof surface to lay the tile on. Even if you don’t plan to use tile, a shower pan is important for protecting your floor and subfloor from any leaks that may get through.
Do you need waterproof membrane on cement board?
Contrary to popular thought, tile and grout are not waterproof, and some moisture will penetrate even if sealant is used. However, if you choose to use concrete backerboard, which is much stronger and more durable than gypsum board, a water vapor membrane must be placed underneath it or a sealant applied on top of it.
Can I tile over drywall?
You may tile over existing tile, painted or unpainted drywall, plaster and textured walls. However, tiling over tile can add quite a bit of thickness, so make sure your wall can handle the weight. You should not tile over wallpaper, glossy surfaces, lead paint or plywood.
Can I use cement board for shower floor?
Cement board can be used just as effectively on walls as it is on floors. Waterproofed cement board is an excellent backing for showers and bathtub surrounds. Doing this will require that you remove the existing surface material before installing backer board over the studs. Always use cement board screws.
Do you tile over shower tray?
We always advise fitting the shower tray before tiling the walls or installing wall panels as this ensures a more watertight seal around the sides of the tray.
Can you put tile over a shower insert?
If your shower features a surround made from a different material, you can tile the area. Use a waterproof tile adhesive or a mortar-style tile glue. An old tarp laid inside the shower protects the fiberglass pan and grabs any glue that drops onto the shower.
Does Thinset stick to shower pan liner?
No. Thinset or tile glue (adhesive) should never be applied directly to the shower pan liner.
Do you start tiling from the top or bottom?
Here’s how you do it: Install the first four tiles in a pyramid: three on the bottom and one on top. Every subsequent row is a process of draping over the pyramid, back and forth. Begin your first drape on either the right or left side, and bring it up, over, and down the other side.
What goes first shower pan or walls?
Whether you choose to install tile or the panel walls, drywall always goes on top of the shower pan, after the pan is set into the floor. Both tile and shower walls perform the same function, they just do so with different types of materials.
How do you fill gap between shower and wall?
If your gap is smaller than 1/8 inch in width, use regular caulk; fill gaps larger than 1/8 inch with a sanded caulk. Make sure the gap is clean and dry, then squeeze a thin, even bead of caulk into the space. To get the best coverage, cut the tip of the caulk tube so the bead that emerges completely fills the gap.
Do you need to waterproof under a shower base?
DON’T ignore the importance of waterproofing when installing an acrylic shower base. The walls and the area around the top of the acrylic base along the wall are very important for proper waterproofing and it is essential that it be done correctly. In a bathroom, proper waterproofing is non-negotiable.
What do you put under shower base?
Mortar is recommended to use under all shower pans. Mortar reduces the risk of your pan slipping or cracking from an uneven surface.
What’s the difference between a shower base and a shower pan?
What Do They Do? While a shower pan and a shower base both channel water into the drain, there’s one key difference: “Shower pan” is the actual shower floor that you step on, whereas “shower base” refers to the structure underneath the shower itself.
Does shower floor tile go under wall tile?
Professional experts use a ledger or a space saver to leave a space for the floor tile to install after doing the wall. When you start to tile the floor, you first install the floor tile closest to the wall and then lay the other floor tiles.
Can you tile over tile in a shower floor?
You can lay tile over an existing tile floor as long as it is in good condition with no major cracks or settling.
