Custom shower base - granite - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Charles_cz · 08-17-2009, 09:32 PM

Hi Guys, I have a customer that wants to do stone in the shower area. That includes shower base. I have done few custom shower bases with 2x2" tile.

I've seen granite in big shower areas. This shower would be something about 36x48" for shower base. I assume you have to cut the stone diagonally across the shower base to create the pitch.

I just can imagine that with granite and almost no grout line it has to be pain in the butt to get it right.

I usually use show liner and mortar to create the shower base. 2x2" tile is forgettable as far as imperfections in shower base. I do not think same applies to granite.
Is it time to switch to prefab shower bases? Are they sturdy enough for granite?

Do you have any tips or suggestion for this situation? I am just trying to gather some info before I talk to customer about it or before I do the estimate. If I get this job and if I have to go with stone I want to do it right.

Thanks for any input and advise. Charles

WarnerConstInc. · 08-17-2009, 10:08 PM

What about a slab, that is ground down so it funnels to the drain opening.

Bud Cline · 08-17-2009, 10:51 PM

Are you talking about using granite tile to make the floor with? Polished granite??? Jheeeezh! I certainly hope not.

Mike Finley · 08-17-2009, 11:37 PM

I may not be following this right, but if I am, granite is usually polished and polished granite is slick as snot when wet!

Cut down to 2x2 size it will be fine if set with 1/8" grout lines as the grout lines will give you plent of traction. But big pieces sound like a sure way to guarantee a trip to the hospital.

Maybe I'm reading this wrong?

skyhook · 08-17-2009, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles_cz

Hi Guys, I have a customer that wants to do stone in the shower area. That includes shower base. I have done few custom shower bases with 2x2" tile.

I've seen granite in big shower areas. This shower would be something about 36x48" for shower base. I assume you have to cut the stone diagonally across the shower base to create the pitch.

I just can imagine that with granite and almost no grout line it has to be pain in the butt to get it right.

I usually use show liner and mortar to create the shower base. 2x2" tile is forgettable as far as imperfections in shower base. I do not think same applies to granite.
Is it time to switch to prefab shower bases? Are they sturdy enough for granite?

Do you have any tips or suggestion for this situation? I am just trying to gather some info before I talk to customer about it or before I do the estimate. If I get this job and if I have to go with stone I want to do it right.

Thanks for any input and advise. Charles

As long as the hole is lower than the top of the level granite slab, it will drain by it self.

Water seeks its own level.

HusqyPro · 08-17-2009, 11:49 PM

Isn't there a way to texture stone so it's not smooth and polished? I vaguely recall something about media blasting with a coarse grit. Ring any bells?

user15686 · 08-18-2009, 12:01 AM

You could slope a piece of honed granite toward a trench drain.

JumboJack · 08-18-2009, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Finley

I may not be following this right, but if I am, granite is usually polished and polished granite is slick as snot when wet!

That's what these are for...

Charles_cz · 08-18-2009, 07:11 AM

I like the snowflakes idea. LOL It would look great with dark granite.

I recall seeing granite or marble tile on the floor and the shower base.

It looks like I am not the only one puzzled by that. That's is why I wanted opinion of the tile guys.

I am not sure about cutting to 2x2 pieces. It seems to me that the edge might be sharper than the tile edge when you cut granite. (also it seems like a lot of work).

You are right about slippery part.

I am not talking about anything specific yet. It was just general request from customer. I am just seeking and input of pros since I haven't done shower base with any similar material.

I want to be prepared when I talk to the customer.

So would you say it is very uncommon and possibly dangerous? No one has done it before?

Bud Cline · 08-18-2009, 08:07 AM

The shiny tile is risky. The closer the grout lines the better, and even still using polished granite would still provide a very slick surface. Don't forget how hard the polished stones are to clean in a shower environment.

Some granites can be "flamed" for texture but then they look completely different, sandblasting would be the same deal.

If there are walls all around the shower base then a slope really isn't necessary but it is required by law where building codes apply. Four walls and a floor drain and that water is going to fall into that hole no matter what.

Plumber_Bill · 08-18-2009, 08:09 AM

I back in the early 90's (1994 - 2004) had a Re-Bath Franchise. In that time period a standard was established for slip resistance on bathing surfaces. All tubs and shower bases after a certain date had to meet that standard.

ASTM special technical publication 649, 40-48, American Society for Testing and ... 01 on Specifications and Test Methods for Slip Resistance of Bathing ... likely to occur on bathtub or shower base surfaces.

On this granite base ... Better sandblast roughness into it or put the rsponsibility on the owner via a hold harmless noterized agreement.

CYA

Bud Cline · 08-18-2009, 08:14 AM

There is also an ANSI (American National Standards Institute) requirement but in residential work no one has to pay attention to all that crap and most inspectors have no idea where the sun is during the day anyway.

There are a lot of tiles that are not suitable for a shower floor.

Charles_cz · 08-18-2009, 08:05 PM

Thank you guys for your input. I really appreciate that.