How to Tile Shower Floors

Shower floors can be tiled. There are waterproof adhesives for attaching the tiles and tiles that are intended for use in showers--ceramic, porcelain or stone tiles work best.. Apply tiles after the sub-flooring is ready for the tile to be laid, and at least one application of pre-slope mortar has been applied to the shower pan and has cured.

Things You'll Need

• Ceramic tile backerboard, if using ceramic tile
• Trowel
• Pre-slope mortar
• Measuring tape(s)
• Masking tape
• Waterproof tile adhesive

Instructions

1. Lay the tiles out to test fit before applying the first bit of pre-slope mortar or tile adhesive. Make any necessary adjustments, such as cutting to line up grout lines, or cutting for fit or to matching the pattern.

2. Apply backer board over the shower pan (if installing ceramic tile) with the trowel. Allow it to cure.

3. Apply pre-slope mortar over the backer board; allow it to cure.

4. Measure shower floor to determine the exact center. Measure in an "x" design, upper left corner to lower right corner, then lower left corner to upper right corner. Mark the spot with pencil or masking tape.

5. Apply shower adhesive, beginning at center mark. Do not apply any more than you can comfortably work with at one time.

6. Lay first tile in the center of the shower, then lay additional tiles to the left of the center tile until you reach the wall.

7. Cut your end piece of tile to fit against the wall, if it needs to be cut.

8. Lay additional tiles to the right of the center tile until you have reached the wall. Cut if necessary.

9. Work up from the center piece, toward the wall farthest from the shower entrance, lay a row of tile from the center tile to the back wall of the shower. Cut tile as needed.

10. Work down from the center (heading toward the shower entrance), laying a row of tile from the center tile to the entrance or near shower wall. Cut final piece as needed.
    You should now have a "cross" design of tiles laid on the floor.

11. Continue laying the rest of the tile, starting with the next row up from the center row, again beginning in the center, and working to the left, then to the right..

12. Complete installing all the tile reaching to the back shower wall, starting with the next row down from the center row, lay tile rows moving toward the shower entrance until the floor is completely tiled.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy a few more pieces of shower tile than you will estimate you need. In this way, you will have some on hand to replace broken or damaged pieces, even if the style or pattern has been discontinued. If you have chosen a material other than ceramic for your tile, the installation instructions may be different. If you have chosen ceramic tile, you want your backer board to be of a cement-like material, as this holds up best under high-moisture conditions. Also, installing backer board makes it easier to install ceramic tile. Allow yourself enough time so that the backer board material and the pre-slope mortar can cure properly. If possible, plan to apply the backer board and let it cure one day, then apply the pre-mortar the next day (or the afternoon of the same day as you apply the backer board if that will allow enough curing time), then install the tiles themselves the next day. Consider using two tape measures when measuring for the exact middle. This way, you can lay a small piece of masking tape right where the two tape measures overlap in the center. When you dry fit your tile in order to determine how the pieces should go, consider numbering them. This works well if you are matching a pattern; it may not be necessary if you are simply matching grout lines. Do not cut anything until you are actually ready to lay the tile, then take your measurements and do your cutting. It is better to apply the tile adhesive a little at a time than have it begin to dry on you, making you have to rush the job.

• Make sure the bathroom is well-ventilated. The fumes from the backer board, pre-slope mortar and tile adhesive can be strong. Use a filter mask and eye protection, if needed. If you feel yourself getting dizzy or sick from the fumes, or if your eyes begin stinging, watering, or burning, get out of the bathroom Get fresh air, and wait until all symptoms have subsided before re-entering the bathroom. Consider wearing rubber gloves to apply the backer board, pre-slope mortar and tile adhesive. The chemicals in these compounds may irritate skin. Wear eye protection and work gloves when cutting the tile. This will prevent chips from cutting you or from getting into your eyes.

References

• Ceramic Tiling Guide