how many courses for ceramic tile shower walls? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Bazooka Joe · 10-07-2008, 04:54 PM

Hi guys,
...i know, dumb question. I have a shower in my home to tile, and was wondering how many courses i could go up in one day. The shower walls are to the ceiling (8'). Would it be safe to tile the walls all the way up in a day? Im renting a saw, so im trying to get a budget idea.

Im using typical 4" ceramic tiles and thinset over tile backer board.

thanks

kevjob · 10-07-2008, 04:59 PM

depending upon layout with a cut tile as your first row set on a ledger and any borders, you can tile all the walls one day and then the pan and 1st course of wall tiles if they are cut after you remove the ledger.

rbsremodeling · 10-07-2008, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bazooka Joe

Hi guys,
...i know, dumb question. I have a shower in my home to tile, and was wondering how many courses i could go up in one day. The shower walls are to the ceiling (8'). Would it be safe to tile the walls all the way up in a day? Im renting a saw, so im trying to get a budget idea.

Im using typical 4" ceramic tiles and thinset over tile backer board.

thanks

Yes You can go all the way up.

Bazooka Joe · 10-07-2008, 05:28 PM

..thanks very much for the replies guys

We Fix Houses · 10-07-2008, 06:06 PM

Mark a level line about 6 courses above the tub / shower. Then be sure you can fit the tiles going down to the perimeter of the shower. Adjust the line accordingly. Using your notched trowel apply the thinset right to the line. Do the bottom part first. It'll set up and then do the top courses. If not the top tiles may push down and all will not look too good. Then its too late. You can also mark a vertical plumb line about 2 ft from the corner from top to bottom. Use it the same way rather than work out from the corner. You're making grid lines to work from. Measure or space some dry tiles around so you can have full / larger tiles where you want them.

MattCoops · 10-07-2008, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by We Fix Houses

Mark a level line about 6 courses above the tub / shower. Then be sure you can fit the tiles going down to the perimeter of the shower. Adjust the line accordingly. Using your notched trowel apply the thinset right to the line. Do the bottom part first. It'll set up and then do the top courses. If not the top tiles may push down and all will not look too good. Then its too late. You can also mark a vertical plumb line about 2 ft from the corner from top to bottom. Use it the same way rather than work out from the corner. You're making grid lines to work from. Measure or space some dry tiles around so you can have full / larger tiles where you want them.

That is by far the wierdest way to layout a shower wall.
Where did you get those ideas from?

**genecarp** · 10-07-2008, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattCoops

That is by far the wierdest way to layout a shower wall.
Where did you get those ideas from?

for sure

R&D Tile · 10-08-2008, 05:45 PM

No comment on that, staying out of this.

Bud Cline · 10-09-2008, 05:09 PM

WOW!

For once I actually agree with Coops!!!

TileLady · 10-09-2008, 09:23 PM

It sounds like a technique from a tiling book from HD or something.

rbsremodeling · 10-09-2008, 09:27 PM

So you guys have never heard of the 6 tile from the bottom, level it from the corners method before??

Jerry T · 10-11-2008, 05:54 AM

I love this place

Floordude · 10-11-2008, 02:32 PM

This is what is wrong with the flooring trades. Most have no clue. Those that do, get told they are too high priced.

If everyone was required to have formal training and actually pass hands on tests and written test, before they were allowed to make a profit from their labor, things would be much better in meeting customers expectations, and the installations would last well beyond the one year wonder warranty.

GRR · 10-27-2008, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattCoops

That is by far the wierdest way to layout a shower wall.
Where did you get those ideas from?

Here's the thing Gentlemen..Im asuming were all gentlemen here if not im sorry..LOL This poster has tried to expalin his way of installing tiles..To each thier own right! What I dont see in the responses following were the right way to install shower wall tiles. Please advise on the correct method so we all may be as good as you fellows!

Ford Guy · 02-14-2009, 11:50 AM

The easiest way I have found to lay a shower wall or any wall for that matter is as follows. Start with a LEVEL ledger, Lay one wall at a time. Use tile spacers on the horizontal grout lines to stop the tile from sliding or droping. In my experience with a 4" x4" tile you can use a premixed mastic glue, as long as you read the directions and make sure that it is water and mould proof. The only time you really need thinset on a wall is when you have a large heavy tile. Also make sure your tile backer board is waterproof, if nnot you definatly need a membrane, shuch as the schluter system(Kerdi mat).

Ford Guy · 02-14-2009, 11:51 AM

I guess there was no point in me replying. I just read the dates.

Forry · 02-14-2009, 11:55 AM

Wrong. Hi Ford Guy. First, this is a pretty old post, and I'm sure his shower is done, but never, ever. ever use mastic in a shower again. Don't do it. Guaranteed failure. Mastic is an organic compound an will over time (usually not much) get wet and melt, then mold, then tiles will come loose. Use only thinset in a shower. And never use tile directly to any type of sheetrock in a wet area either. Ok, class dismissed.

kevjob · 02-14-2009, 01:21 PM

mastic?

angus242 · 02-14-2009, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry T

I love this place

Ditto!

jarvis design · 02-14-2009, 11:06 PM

Mastic is way too expensive these days - I have switched to peanut butter with a little elmers glue mixed in....smooooth!!