Table of Contents
Can you use a shower pan with tile walls?
Yes. Matching tile walls with a fiberglass or acrylic shower pan is not only possible but is a common practice. In most cases, you cannot tile on the floor of standard fiberglass/acrylic shower pans. Slight flexing will quickly crack the grout and even the tiles.
What goes first shower pan or walls?
Whether you choose to install tile or the panel walls, drywall always goes on top of the shower pan, after the pan is set into the floor. Both tile and shower walls perform the same function, they just do so with different types of materials.
Does tile go over shower pan?
In a typical installation, the shower pan is set into a bed of mortar to level it and to secure it to the subfloor. You cannot tile over standard polymer or fiberglass shower pans because they flex too much and will eventually crack the tile grout and possibly even the tile itself.
Do I need a shower pan under tile?
If you plan to install a tile floor in your shower, a shower pan is crucial because it provides a waterproof surface to lay the tile on. Even if you don’t plan to use tile, a shower pan is important for protecting your floor and subfloor from any leaks that may get through.
Do you need to waterproof under a shower base?
DON’T ignore the importance of waterproofing when installing an acrylic shower base. The walls and the area around the top of the acrylic base along the wall are very important for proper waterproofing and it is essential that it be done correctly. In a bathroom, proper waterproofing is non-negotiable.
Should you tile shower floor or wall first?
Why You Should Tile the Floor First The tile installation principle is that the tiled wall ‘hangs’ over the tiled floor. The best way to achieve this outcome is by first tiling the floor so that the wall tile will then seem to be ‘sitting’ on the bathroom floor.
Does shower pan liner go behind backer board?
The wallboard must be installed 1/8 inch above the shower pan. If the shower pan is not in place, the wallboard height must be guessed, which can lead to inaccuracies and an expansion gap that is too large or too small.
Do I need cement board under shower pan?
The cement board does not need to be placed under a shower pan but you can if you want to. In most cases, shower pans are installed directly over the subfloor with a mortar bed and with the cement board edge just abutting the edge of the shower pan.
What goes between tile and shower pan?
Grout, which is a cement-based material, is great for filling the spaces between tiles. But it isn’t flexible enough to stay intact where a shower pan or tub meets surrounding walls.
How much space do you need between tile and shower pan?
When installing tile around your shower pan, they should not be installed flush with each other. You will need to leave a 1/16th-inch gap between the pan and tile. That gap should be filled with caulk for waterproofing.
Should you silicone around shower base?
It is essential to caulk areas like a shower or tub where any moisture could damage walls, flooring, and other nearby areas. When possible, opt for caulk that is a siliconized acrylic or latex caulk to keep moisture out.
What goes over shower pan liner?
The rubber membrane in a shower installs on top of a thin layer of sloped mud that runs to the drain, and another layer of mud installs on top of the membrane to create the base for the tile. This is usually around 2 inches.
What’s the difference between a shower pan and a shower base?
While a shower pan and a shower base both channel water into the drain, there’s one key difference: “Shower pan” is the actual shower floor that you step on, whereas “shower base” refers to the structure underneath the shower itself.
What do you put under a tile shower?
If there’s drywall, remove it and plan to replace it with cement backer board to protect the walls from moisture and mold. You can use drywall above the shower head, but anything below the shower head should be lined with cement backer board. Make sure the studs are in good condition and that everything is mold free.
What is the correct order to tile a shower?
The first row near the floor should be reserved using a ledger or other space saver. And, let that dry. Meanwhile, install your floor tiles to the wall. And then, finish by installing that final row of wall tiles so that it overlaps the floor properly.
Do you grout floor before tiling walls?
Always grout the walls first for this how to grout tile project, and after they’re finished, the floor. That’ll keep you from messing up a finished floor. Apply the grout diagonally across the tile joints to squish the grout into the joints (Photo 5). That way you won’t drop so much on the floor.
Does Thinset stick to shower pan liner?
No. Thinset or tile glue (adhesive) should never be applied directly to the shower pan liner.
Do I need tar paper under shower pan?
Before constructing the shower pan, it is important to use a layer of roofing felt at the bottom of the pan. This is important to separate the subfloor from the shower pan and to keep the moisture in the mortar during the curing since the tar paper or asphalt felt serves as a moisture barrier.
