QA

Question: How To Start Tile In A Shower

Which wall do you start with when tiling a shower?

Always tile the back wall first in a shower/tub so that you can hide the grout joints on the sides.

When tiling a shower do you start with the floor?

When you start to tile the floor, you first install the floor tile closest to the wall and then lay the other floor tiles. The above procedure gives you a seamless way to incorporate the wall overhang situation when tiling the walls first.

Do you start in the middle when tiling?

It’s always advisable to start tiling your grid in the centre of the wall, as it’s easier to make sure your pattern is symmetrical. It also means any half-tiles you may need can go at the end of each row and will be of matching size.

Do you start tiling from the top or bottom?

Here’s how you do it: Install the first four tiles in a pyramid: three on the bottom and one on top. Every subsequent row is a process of draping over the pyramid, back and forth. Begin your first drape on either the right or left side, and bring it up, over, and down the other side.

Should I grout or caulk shower corners?

It’s essential to use caulk, not grout, in shower corners. Grout does not hold up well in corners and is prone to cracking and falling out. This is because the tiles on the two perpendicular walls expand and contract with temperature changes.

What comes first walls or floor?

The answer to the question is, “do the floors first!” Here’s why: Removing and replacing flooring or carpeting is dirty work. If you paint first, and then do floors, there is a good chance that a lot of dirt, dust, sawdust or tile/stone dust will end up on your freshly painted walls and trim.

Do you lay floor tiles before wall tiles?

Whilst you can tile either one first, popular opinion based on experience is that is is easier to tile the walls first and then the floor, if you are tiling both in a room. A good option is to tile the walls apart from the bottom row, tile the floor, and then tile the bottom row on the walls.

Where do I start my first row of shower tile?

Start out level Start tile on a level board. Screw a straight board to the level line and stack tile on the board. Close-up of improper spacing. Don’t start on the edge of the tub or shower. Don’t start the first row of tile by resting it against the tub or shower.

Can you start tiling in a corner?

Most of the tiles will need to be cut to fit the perimeter of the room; starting in a corner allows you to begin the pattern with full tiles on a straight line and move evenly into the room. In this case, beginning in the center may make it more difficult to get the pattern moving evenly.

How do you determine the starting point for laying tile?

Find the midpoint of each wall and snap chalk lines on the floor. The line crossing at the room’s center are the starting point of the tile. Lay a row of tiles along a straightedge more than halfway across the room. For consistent joints, use tile spacers.

Should tile be at the top or bottom of a shower wall?

The goal is to maximize the size of tiles at the bottom and top, avoiding narrow pieces. I avoid using a full piece at the top because the ceiling is usually not perfectly level. By cutting the top course of tile on all three walls, I can keep the joint width consistent all the way around.

Does grout come in a caulking tube?

The most popular area to use caulking would be the shower/tub. Below is a picture to show you the main areas you will find caulking and grout. Caulking traditionally is available in a 10.3 ounce cylindrical tube that ia used in a caulking gun. Caulk, like grout, comes in sanded and unsanded.

Is it OK to put caulk over grout?

Generally speaking, caulking over grout is not a great idea. However, if you’re attempting to replace the grout connecting the bathtub to the floor, or filling the space between two tiles or stones, your best bet is to re-grout it.

Can I use caulk instead of grout in shower?

Caulk is used to waterproof joints for space like bath tubs, showers, windows etc. Caulk is strong enough to adhere to tile surfaces without crevices. Caulk may shrink or dry out over time, which is why it shouldn’t be used in large installations or as a replacement for grout.

Does drain tile need to be sloped?

The drain tile does not need to be sloped, although a slight pitch helps keep the pipe clear of silt and clay (particularly when the pipe has just two rows of holes on the bottom).

How much slope does a shower drain need?

To efficiently drain, the recommended minimum slope for a shower floor is about 4 percent, or a 1/2 inch drop per every 12 inches from the shower walls to the drain. In traditional tile shower construction, this slope is established in the mortar pre-pan.

Should flooring go under drywall?

Install drywall before flooring. Drywall gives your walls a smooth surface that you can paint or wallpaper to suit your taste. When you’re hanging drywall and installing new flooring, it’s usually best to hang the drywall first and then save the floor for last.

Do you put floors in before drywall?

In standard home construction, the contractor installs the subfloor before installing the drywall. In fact, the subfloor is one of the first features of construction, whereas drywall installation takes place toward the end of the project.