How to Put River Rock on a Shower Floor

Pebble tile is an easy way to bring natural stone into your decor.

River rock pebble tiles, used for various projects throughout the home, have been available in the U.S. for many years. Produced in Indonesia and Bali, locals mine pebbles from ancient river beds under the shallow bedrock and affix them to a mesh backing for ease of installation. Color and texture can vary from island to island, but miners sort pebbles before assembling. Since river rocks are suitable for outdoor installation, they are also ideal for bathroom and shower use.

Things You'll Need

• Thin-set
• 1/4-inch notched trowel
• Rubber gloves
• Eye protection
• River rock tile
• Scissors
• Sealant
• Grout
• Grout float
• Stiff-bristled brush
• Large sponges (2)

Instructions

1. Put on rubber gloves and eye protection.

2. Apply thin-set to the shower pan in small areas with a 1/4-inch trowel. Do not apply more than 2 to 3 feet at a time so the thin-set does not dry out.

3. Set the first tile and use a grout float to press the mesh backing into the thin-set.

4. Align the next tile to the first and press it down into the thin-set.

5. Repeat until you have laid as many of the full size tiles as possible.

6. Use scissors to cut the mesh of a tile to make smaller pieces for the areas that were too small for a full tile.

7. Repeat until the entire surface is covered.

8. Apply a penetrating sealer to the pebble tiles with a large sponge. Allow it to dry according to the directions.

9. Mix a small batch of grout to the consistency of peanut butter.

10. Apply the grout with the grout float to press it in between the rocks.

11. Scrub the stones with a stiff-bristled brush 30 minutes after applying the grout to remove any excess from the tops of the rocks. Use a damp sponge to remove the grout film.

12. Allow the grout to dry completely then seal the entire surface again.

Tips & Warnings

• Sealant will not change the color of the rock. If you want to change the look of the pebbles, apply a natural stone enhancer before sealing the pebbles the first time.

References

• The Five Elements: Pebble Tile Installation Guide
• Design 4 Less: Pebble Tile Installation Guidelines
• River Pebble: About River Pebble