Thread: Walk in shower?

Definitely build one... Prefab ones look way cheapo. Find some nice tile and as stated use the Schluter system, or concrete board if you are not going to be in the home for 10+ years. Price of the tile will greatly influence the overall price. The sky is the limit on the tile.

Ive always ran the membrane up the studs about 16 inches and placed Durorock directly to the studs. I build the entrance up to 4 and 1/2 inches which is just 3 2×4's nailed on top of each other since we use 4inch tile and saves on cutting. They make a precast for the the bottom which already is sloped for the drain. Its code in our area to use it the precast then to slope it with thin set or mortar now.

The membrane only gets nailed at the top. One roofing nail per stud

I do this type of work for a living been at it for 25 years. If you build a custom tile shower the Floor is the heart of the project make sure it is water tight.
I always build a floor starting with a PVC vynle liner flashed up the walls 6-8 inches only place it should be cut is at the three piece shower drain, then you can mud your floor in on top of it. I also always pour a concrete curb, the liner is flashed up in side the curb, no way water can get out. I put cement board on the walls directly to the studs then your ready to tile.

You don't have to put the liner any higher then 6-8 inches up from the floor. Your cement board( hardi-backer) will do the rest all you have to do is tape all the joints with thin set and fiberglass tape.

I would read carefully about whether or not Backer board is water proof, I prefer either using red guard on the backer board or running 6 mil plastic behind it but not both ......google will show both options

I build 10 - 15 showers a year like I described above and have never had a leak. NEVER. By the time you get the tile on and grouted water is not going to get to your backer board. This product is designed for this type of application. Sheetrock or anything with plastic involved will lead to mold and mildew, I know this for I have tore hundred of so called custom shower and tub areas out over the last 25 years.

Originally Posted by mikepags

I would read carefully about whether or not Backer board is water proof, I prefer either using red guard on the backer board or running 6 mil plastic behind it but not both ......google will show both options

Durorock Cement board is

RedGard® Waterproofing and Crack Prevention Membrane | Custom Building Products

^^^ this stuff is pretty bad ass

Would love to see some pictures of some finished. I'm removing a tub and replacing the entire space with a walk in shower.

Try Ferguson bath and kitchen gallery . We specialize in remodeling showers .

You need to go to the internet to see how the Schlater system and Redgard system works. To me, you can blow $750 on Schlater products in the blink of an eye. UTube has a bunch of shower installations illustrated. Many tile masons address building shower pans from scratch online.

The layout of the shower is most important. Everything needs to be completely square in all directions, which often requires shims.

You also need a special floor drain designed for showers. You must put a slightly wet layer of sand/portland cement in the bottom perfectly flat and angled to the drain with a 1/4" per foot angle. It'll harden overnight. I'll stop there and let you read about shower pans online. Instructions get a little long to put on here.

I have a close friend that's a very large tile contractor, and he swears by Redgard--sealing up the walls, floors and corners. It's expensive, but worth every penny. Home Depot carries it in the flooring department.

do yourself a favor and keep the durock at the supply house. get you a kerdi shower kit if you're going to build a walk in tile shower. We do 2-3 stand up tile showers a week. have for the past 10 years. Never had 1 leak, never had 1 mold, never had 1 fall apart. More expensive than durock, but its easier to install and is 100x better than any other way to waterproof a shower!

For the shower base you can purchase cultured marble one piece bases made to your specs. Variety of colors to match your tile, the drain can be placed where you want it or the standard center drain. The outside edge has a tile flange so no need for a membrane. Takes a lot of work out of building a shower. I've installed many of these and have had excellent results. Also no grout to scrub because of soiled feet.