How to Make a Shower Out of River Rock

Make a river rock shower using basic hardware supplies.

River rocks are naturally smooth due to the tumbling environment of flowing rivers and streams. The smooth and sleek rocks lend themselves perfectly to a tiling application, such as installing flat river rocks instead of standard ceramic tiles on shower walls to create a natural- and rustic-looking shower space. Collect river rocks for free, where permitted, while on a nature walk, or purchase them inexpensively from a home-improvement store. Use 1/2-inch thick, flat river rocks for the project.

Things You'll Need

• Electric sander
• Fine-grit sanding belt
• Shop vacuum cleaner
• Medium grout
• Trowel
• Washcloth
• Waterproof, polyurethane sealant
• Paintbrush, 3 inches wide

Instructions

1. Sand the surface of the bare shower walls using an electric sander with a fine-grit sanding belt. That task will remove debris and roughness from the surface.

2. Vacuum the shower walls and surrounding areas with a shop vacuum cleaner.

3. Spread a 1-inch thick layer of medium grout over the shower walls with a trowel.

4. Press 1/2-inch thick, flat river rocks halfway into the grout, spacing the rocks 1/4 inch apart from each other.

5. Spread a 1/4-inch thick layer of medium grout over the rocks. Scrape off excess grout with the trowel.

6. Wipe off the surface of each river rock with a damp washcloth. Allow the river rock walls to air-dry for 24 to 36 hours.

7. Provide ventilation for the shower area. Apply a layer of waterproof, polyurethane sealant over each entire river rock wall using a 3-inch wide paintbrush. Continue to ventilate the area well while you apply the sealant. Allow the sealant to dry for eight hours.

Tips & Warnings

• Use differently shaded river rocks to create a variegated shower wall.

References

• Backwoods Home Magazine; A River Rock Shower; Dorothy Ainsworth