How to Tile a Bathroom Shower Stall

Remodeling a shower stall by applying ceramic tile will add a new level of beauty.

Ceramic tile is one of the most durable options for walls. With its versatility and style, it can be used in every room of the house. The most commons places to see ceramic tile are kitchen and bath areas. Remodeling a shower stall by applying ceramic tile will add a new level of beauty and will also increase the value of the house.

Things You'll Need

• Green Rock (Sheetrock)
• 1 1/4-inch galvanized roofing nails
• 2-inch galvanized roofing nails
• Hammer
• Utility knife
• Carpenter's level
• Crete board
• Shower pan membrane
• Ceramic tile
• Wax pencil
• Measuring tape
• Chalk box
• Carpenter's square
• Wet saw
• Tile chippers
• Waterproof mastic
• Thin-set mortar
• Mortar trowel
• Fortified grout
• Rubber grout trowel
• Bucket
• Sponge
• Clean soft cloth

Instructions

Preparation

1. Prepare the floor of the shower by mixing thin-set mortar and applying it to the floor with the non-grooved edge of the mortar trowel. Be certain to create a slope to the drain. Cut the membrane with a utility knife to run up the walls at least 4 inches.

2. After the mortar is set, lay the shower pan membrane on the floor of the shower stall. Cut out for the drain. Fold the corners of the membrane and secure them to the wall with 1 1/4-inch galvanized roofing nails. Be certain that the nail heads are flush with the membrane.

3. Measure the width and height of the shower stall. Mark the Green Rock with the chalk box. Cut the Green Rock with the utility knife to fit on the walls of the shower stall. Secure the Green Rock with 1 1/4-inch galvanized roofing nails. Be certain that the nail heads are flush with the Green Rock.

4. Pop chalk lines on the crete board with the chalk box and score the lines with the utility knife. Once scored, the crete board with snap just like the Green Rock. However, the back of the crete board has a mesh on it which requires it to be turned over to cut the mesh.

5. Secure the crete board to the walls of the shower stall with 2-inch galvanized roofing nails. Be certain that the crete board is secure against the Green Rock and the wall stud behind it. Then spread a layer of the thin-set mortar to the top of the membrane to give the tiles a bondable surface.

Laying Tile

1. Measure and cut tile in preparation to fit along the back wall of the shower stall. Cutting the tile can also be done while laying the tile. Do not apply any more waterproof mastic than can be covered with tile before it dries.

2. Measure 4 to 6 inches (depending on the size of the tile) up from the floor on the back wall of the shower stall. Mark a level line with the carpenter's level across this wall. Install the first row of tiles using the level line as a point of reference.

3. Install the tile to the back wall first and then install the tile on the other walls. Cut tiles around the faucets using wet saw and chippers.

4. Once the waterproof mastic has cured, mix the thin-set mortar for the floor tiles according to manufacturer's instructions. Install the floor tiles using same method as the wall tiles, but add spacers between the tiles. The width of the spacers will depend on the size of the tiles.

5. Mix and install the fortified grout in the spaces between the tiles using the rubber grout trowel in a cross pattern. Clean up excess before it dries ringing the sponge often. After drying to a haze, polish the tile with a soft, clean cloth. Give ample time for the fortified grout to cure before sealing it. Install the adjustable drain.

Tips & Warnings

• Good tile chipping requires chipping small amounts at a time.

• If the shower stall has common dimensions, a pre-fabricated floor can be purchased.

• Wear safety glasses.

• Keep fingers away from the wet saw blade. Even though it has no teeth, it can still cause injury.

• Never work in a cluttered area as this could lead to injury.