Test your seal by getting the grout wet. Tiling a shower by yourself can be especially hard. Shelf rests on full tile 2. Make the cement board flush with the tile lip of your shower pan by using shims behind the board to bring it out to the desired thickness. Paint it over any surfaces you plan to tile. All your other tiles in that row will be set on either side of this tile, creating a symmetrical appearance. Our guide will ​walk you through how to tile a shower, step by step. ​With your tile installed, its easy to feel like the project is done. This article was co-authored by Art Fricke. Use a level to measure where you will lay your first course of tiles. Once the tile is set, you’ll come back through and pull them out. You could use a score and snap tile cutter or a wet saw with a diamond blade. Or, you could get larger tiles like subway or 6 inch tiles which come in stacks. ", Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-tile-your-bathroom-like-a-pro-apartment-therapy-tutorials-200163, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow, When installing a vapor barrier on an exterior wall, it may be helpful to seal a plastic vapor barrier to the concrete floor but not all the way up to the top of the ceiling. penetrate, I would strongly recommend a complete moisture barrier from top to bottom for the stall. For our shower, we chose a running bond pattern. If you mix X77 per the directions, use the correct trowel size, back butter your tiles and use directional troweling your tiles won’t slide down the wall. Grout would be unforgiving under those circumstances. Match the speed with which you pull the caulk gun trigger with the rate at which you pull the gun along the joint. Your city might have codes that specify exactly how high the tile wall must go, and its best to check your local resources. This allows enough space for the grout. This may sound less like how to build a shower and more like how to destroy one. Home Renovation & Repair Specialist. Read the manufacturer’s instructions to be sure. If you choose a membranous barrier such as Trugard or Kerdi, you can install plain old drywall or you can just install a cement board instead. Mark where to set your first row. Let the caulk dry and redo it if you are not happy with the results. This will let you know where the center of that row is. His first experience came in completely restoring an antique home. Use a small amount of the excess mortar and spread it onto the back of … Create a stunning wall with attractive, practical and durable wall tiles. Be sure to pull the caulk gun trigger quickly enough for the speed at which you are laying it, so you do not end up with gaps in your caulk. Make a plan, pick out your tile, and create your design. You use the same caulk here that you would use in the corner joint, as the shower pan may still be prone to slight movement. Once you have installed the backer boards and sealed the seams, it is time to prime your surface. You must use caulk as the ceiling can and does move relative to the wall. How to Tile a Shower: Just the Pro Tips. Is there a way to put tile in the bottom of the shower without a pan? If you used spacers, remove them before you grout the tiles. Also, if you’re tiling a ceiling in the shower X77 is a fantastic option. Do not use mastic as the adhesive for tile in a shower or a tub surround, as it will allow mold to grow. Make sure you do not use wall tiles on floor. This will save your arms. Bathroom tiles get greasy as a result of the soap suds, shampoo and shower gel. Wedi boards are another option some consider even better than cement board. Grouting is not difficult to do well, but it is even easier to do poorly. This will ensure even consistency and ultimately a better product. ", "I've paid professionals to do the same job and they didn't do it properly. Wipe away any excess thin-set mortar after pressing the tile onto the backer. These air pockets help the tile adhere better. After your caulk is dry and everything is done, remove any construction debris from the shower. The American Standard shower pan shows the cement board on top of the pan, then the tile over the pan on the first row. After you have finished grouting, you may find the tile has a grout “haze” on it. Make sure that your grout chalk matches the grout. Use a thinset and stay away from the premixed stuff, unless you are using an extra strength type on a dry surface. Finally, it's time to lay the tile. You may also want to make a cardboard template and arrange your tile on there. ". We’ve gathered 10 tips to help you navigate your ceramic shower tile choices PLUS 40 beautiful ideas to spark your imagination. A tiled shower adds beauty and durability and value to your home, and you can tile your shower all by yourself. Use your hands or a grout float to apply pressure. There is also a specific haze cleaner for just such occasions. Tile the Walls and Add Fixtures. And, unless your tile is self-spacing, you should use spacers as you set them. These inexpensive safety devices satisfy many building codes. Gut the shower stall down to the studs. Apply the WP1 coating Once the primer is dry, it's time to apply the WP1 coating to the same areas. Start by applying the coating first, fairly liberally, to all the corners where the walls meet the shower tray or bath. Ideally, you should tile the shower walls first, and then the floor. Depending on the size of the tile and its installed location will determine the size of the trowel used for the thinset. More isn't necessarily better when it comes to thin-set. ​Tiling a shower floor is pretty similar to tiling the shower wall. Keep in mind that back buttering is only necessary when you are using a larger tile (8" x 8" or larger) and you only need to add a little dab of thin set mortar to each corner. Once the first row is set, you should have a level plane on which to set the next row. The reason height is important is because tile will prevent water from getting into the wall. Make sure to measure every third or fourth row to ensure that you have an even grout line. You should start from the bottom and move upward. A Mr. Clean magic eraser does a pretty good job. You don't want to be pulling the gun fast but triggering slowly, or vice versa. You may need to remove the shower pan and ceiling, as well. To install a 12 x 24 porcelain tile on a shower wall, you must first determine the layout of the tile. Nobody wants a tile to fall of the ceiling and hurt someone or crack a shower pan tile. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,542,898 times. Set your first tile at the center. Obviously, you’ll only be spreading mortar on one tile at a time. Full tiles define bench height 8. A Step-By-Step Guide on How to Tile Shower Walls and Flooring, How to ​Prepare Your Shower Wall for Tile, where the tile doesn’t chip or break over time, The Guide on How to Cut Ceramic, Porcelain, and Marble Tile. Now Dennis spends his time on fine woodworking projects and tool comparisons. The primer is one more layer to help ensure that moisture does not go were it should not go. You install cement board the way you would install any drywall product. Draw a vertical line as well so that you know your tiles are straight both up and down as well as across. This will help the tile to set and dry faster. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Mix a small amount of thin-set adhesive, as directed, mixing just enough for the first row of tiles around the perimeter of the shower pan. Be sure not to apply too much mortar to the back of a tile. Adjust alcove width for full field tiles 4. The next thing you need to do is gut your shower stall. Add the pre-slope mortar to the shower pan first. Mix up a small batch of thin-set mortar and spread a thin layer on the cement board with the notched trowel. Once you get the hang of it, you can spread more mortar at at time. Then press the tiles into position, as you did before. You will then know it has properly adhered to both the tile and the backer board. This article has been viewed 1,542,898 times. Place your pencil or pen directly underneath the score line and apply some downward pressure to snap the tile. Image via Pixabay. Don’t walk on the tile, and make sure no moisture gets into the area. After letting it sit for 24 hours, you’ll remove the spacers and check the tile for any blemishes. I use 1 part Portland cement to 4 parts sand. If you want to tile a shower, start by marking your tile layout on the substrate, then mix just enough thin-set mortar for the bottom row of tiles. Approved. A vapor barrier is an important piece, and one which most people are unaware. Use a notched trowel to spread the thinset. Make sure the ceiling fan is connected to a ground fault interrupted circuit. Make sure to use composite shims. Mix well then add a little water at a time. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. You should only mix as much mortar as you will use in 45 minutes, as it sets quickly. A new bathroom tile design will instantly add a new dimension to your bathroom, providing colour or pattern to your current suite. You should take special care to make sure there are no slivers left in the shower from cutting tiles, so you do not end up cutting your feet. Grout manufacturers make sanded and unsanded caulk matched perfectly to the color of your grout. With insulation improperly installed, or in colder climates, there's a chance that condensation that forms. Do not forget to wipe away any excess mortar from the front of the tiles before it sets. Make sure the cement backer board is flush with the shower pan. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. You will want to be able to wipe the grout after it sets, but before it is too hard to remove from the tile. Once in place, push the tiles evenly into the thinset. Showers can be dark – get an LED level like an UltraView from Empire Level. Even a novice tiler can gain something from this. If there is an exterior vapor barrier, then leave a few inches open at the top of the wall. It is not uncommon for paint to be splashed onto bathroom and kitchen wall tiles and this needs to come off too. This is best done with some white spirit on a rag. Next, you will install cement backer board. For tile spaced less than 1/8 inch apart, use unsanded grout. Mortar is essential for a firm and solid foundation for your shower tile. ​After laying all the mortar, its now time to start tiling the shower, including the wall and the floor. In this case, the tile would go 8-10 feet high. Unless you are really experienced, it is best to work individually through each tile, from measure to cut to install. Using a pre-fab shower pan can be … Bathroom tiles are a simple way to create character in a practical way. Learn about the team! Fur out as needed to avoid cutting 7. Kerdi boards, waterproof membranes, or paint on waterproof barriers all work. Simply wipe away excess thinset with your finger or a Q-tip. Lay several pieces of tile with tile spacers to establish even grout lines. Plan height for full field tiles 5. Use a hole saw with a carbide bit to cut the holes where the shower head and handles would come through. Traditionally, tile shower walls should go up to a minimum of 6 feet high from the base. For a bathroom remodel, matching the existing tile can save you having to demo all of it and some material cost. If you use grout, it will crack. If there is not a vapor barrier on the exterior side of your shower wall, then you can run the barrier from floor to ceiling. A grouting sponge is a sponge that has rounded edges. Cut your tile one at a time with a tile saw. This will include the shower curb, if you are also trying to figure out how to tile a shower curb. As most surfaces are rarely entirely level, you may have to cut some of your tiles to make sure your first course of tiles is level. Measure your tile height, and mark a point on the bathroom wall that is 20mm below that height. Spread the mortar using the notched edge of the trowel. If it does not bead up, try sealing it again. It generally takes between 24 and 48 hours for caulk to dry. You can help it set a little faster by ensuring there is air flow over the tile. SawsHub.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Tiling is a skilled task but we’re here to help you get the best finish to your wall tiles. SawsHub is a collection of DIY enthusiasts and woodworking experts. Then use your spirit level to draw a horizontal line, known as a “datum line”, at that height all the way around … Keep the tip angled as you run the bead along the joint. Dry lay the tiles to make sure the layout is correct and precut any tiles that need to be altered to fit. Then you can enjoy your beautiful new shower. Make sure to apply 100% silicone caulk to any seams between the boards to prevent moisture from getting through. Art Fricke is a home renovation and repair specialist and the owner of Art Tile & Renovation based in Austin, Texas. You should be aware the shower floor is slightly sloped to ensure that water runs into the drain. One key to success is to remember that grout has a limited working time and can dry before you know it.If you grout an area that's too large, the grout will set up and become difficult to work with or remove. How is the shower pan attached to prevent movement? Step 23 Start at the bottom of the main design. Adding a splash of color lends much needed creative life to the bathroom. Use tile spacers in between each tile. As grout comes in a variety of colors, you should have also decided on a grout color that suits your tile. Grouting is the final step of installing ceramic wall tile after the tile adhesive has fully cured. After that is completed, fit a cement backer board into the shower space. Mix only as much grout as you will use in about 45 minutes so that it does not begin to set before you have used it. Use a level to make sure tiles are straight. Make sure to spend the necessary amount of time on properly mortaring so you have a long lasting shower where the tile doesn’t chip or break over time. If you use drywall behind the tiles, moisture will penetrate through the grout and will cause the drywall to crumble over time. A vapor barrier prevents moisture from getting into your wall where it can cause mold or mildew to grow. Primer prepares the surface for the tile. Adding tile to your shower is a great way to give it a boost, and usually results in an increase in your home value.