Remove the shower drain cover and set it aside. If you fit a shower floor, avoid any tiles with COFs under 0.5. So far they were on the up and up. If it's not slippery in one, why would it be slippery in another? I've done a few of those. Question: Is it possible to take the tile off of the shower curb and the walls to re-tile, but leave the existing shower floor tile in place and follow the steps outlined here? From squares to rectangles and even hexagons, theres plenty of variety available. Hello @pipdog I M curious to know how your show turn out? A pro tilesetter gives tips for a solid installation without removing existing tiles. It does have a texture, so it might work just fine in the shower. Most shower floors require about one gallon of thinset. Remove all of the old caulking material from the perimeter of the shower floor, including the caulking covering the bottom six inches of each of the wall's corners. Sometimes it takes as long to prepare the subsurface as it does to lay the tile. By Famrnylongras CC-BY-SA-3.0 | Wikimedia Commons. You need a good-quality mortar to ensure a safe and secure surface. Imagine taking the concept of a traditional mud pan, but instead of placing the membrane under a thick layer of mud, youre putting it on top of the mud. I don't know how much it would cost to use them as countertops but my hunch is that the cost would be prohibitive across the board too. Is the person who did it related to the GC? Trusted, comprehensive guidance from the pros for a great-looking tile job in any room of the house. It dries completely, immediately after use, and has never grown so much as a speck of mold or mildew. However, I hate the style and color, and I want to install a pebble floor. Large shower floor tiles require a medium-bed mortar mix, as thin-set mortar shrinks as it dries. Thankfully the "tile guy" told them before the job started and they obviously added that cost/material to the job before anything else started. It requires someone who finds the zen in it. Thanks. After adhering the pre-sloped base to the subfloor, and then the pre-bonded pan waterproofing membrane is integrated with the waterproofing of the walls, and the surface is ready to be tiled. Once dry, the mortar gives the tile a solid surface to rest on. I have never done a new build, but I have had four full bathrooms and two powder rooms remodeled. He then cuts in the floor's slope with a straightedge. Lay each full sheet of uncut tile on the shower floor. What you have does not look good. A center-drain inverted (and truncated) pyramid slope with four distinct sloping planes can take large format as four triangular pieces. Sometimes the seller knowingly or unknowingly will try to sell you marble as quartzite. As upsetting as the result is to you, it might be worth taking the 55% refund and do what you want with it. Once the floor has dried, any excess white thinset will stand out against the grout; white grout makes white thinset look grey. Always follow the manufacturer's powder grout to water ratio. Well walk you through everything you need to know about installing the best tiles for your new shower floor. I also like the warmth the wood grates bring to the space, since the tile is all white. @pipdog Did you use matte finish tiles for your large format? However, other issues need to be kept in mind, such as, the extra tile thickness means the shower valve often requires longer escutcheon screws, glass enclosure's size needs to be adjusted, and so on. That is my two cents. Now for the material chosen/purchased. The tile I am using is 12x24 in matte finish. The wall tile is often possible. It could be labeled as COFW and COFD or letters to that effect. Stand them up (as if you where gathering a sheaf of paper) and see if they are all the same size? @Jessica Uhler Hi there, We ended up with not doing the remodel of our small bathroom at all. The mortar is the most under-thought element in installing a new shower floor. I would not trust the drywall above to hold two layers of tile, grout, and thinset. It "looks" nice. Most large format can be cut into smaller tile, but it's possible the cut tile edges will have to be dressed to match. Tile is then adhered to the top of the membrane using thinset cement. The first I installed close to ten years ago has performed as advertised. Hoping to do the same with my shower. If youre itching for bigger tiles and less grout joints, consider the linear drain option mentioned above, which wont limit you when it comes to tile size. Maybe we can just wear flip flops. Doesn't etch either. A low spot lets water puddle. Good. The first is to meet the slope of the shower pan. Since most showers are small spaces, using large tiles on the floor interferes with the shower pan slope. Slide the level across the floor and mark all high and low areas with a wax pencil or permanent marker. Layout the cuts surrounding the drain opening, using the drain cover as a template. Upgrading to a Tile Shower Learn from a pro tilesetter how to remove an old bathtub and replace it with a custom tile shower. How about a single sloped shower into a linear drain? After the grout has dried, polish the tile's surface with a clean dry rag. If you cant find the COF value, call the manufacturer for the information. I can't figure out why large format tiles are ok (not slippery??) Question: My shower tile floor doesn't have any cracks. At best it would look like a star of tile pieces centered on the low spot. There are plenty of tiles that have minimal slipperiness, even in large format. How slippery tiles are varies greatly. It hides "roller coasters". I think it will be ok as a large format shower floor. I kid you not. We have bought 12"x24" porcelain tiles and a Sicis glass mosaic for the "vanity" wall already so the remodel will happen ultimately but not until those crazy prices go down. With a linear drain the slope is only from one end to the other, or from both ends to the center. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters. As a result, you get a shower floor that floods easily. Does anyone have any photos of large format tiles installed in a shower floor with a center drain? With fewer and thinner grout lines we ensure youll have less worry, less cleaning, and less maintenance over the entire lifespan of your custom tile shower. The saw's carbide blade will cut a groove in the thinset. Don't worry about it. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. You've received excellent details on why. Once the top layer of cement has dried, tile can be adhered to your new pan using thinset cement. I have never heard of having to provide a tile layout to someone who is supposed to be a professional tile setter. Make a bucket of white-colored thinset, using the manufacturer's wet-mix ratio, if applicable. Mix sanded tile grout, using the grout manufacturer's directions, in a bucket with water. Here are several videos and articles that show all the steps you need to execute a high-quality tile installation: Video Series: Tile a Barrier-Free Bathroom See the entire installation process, from mortar base to tile to linear drain. The more slippery the tile, the smaller you want it. I'd offer that a fourth option, that I'd place at #1, would be the Schluter Kerdi shower system. Also, most mosaic tiles installed on shower bases are usually spaced apart at 1/8 while we install large format tile with 1/16 spacing between each tile, meaning the grout lines are half the thickness on the shower base. Cut in the corners with the edge of a margin trowel. Keep the tile full size and install a linear drain. Because it takes them longer to get a good result with non-rectified, they will charge more so that they don't get a complain about how it looks. So it meets the minimum, but have no idea what the actual DCOF is. We decided to use that money and take my mom to Hawaii. Any precautions we should take? The membrane also extends several inches up the walls of the shower framing, creating a waterproof pan. Just do a quick google search. What I'm saying is to not assume you need a teak grate until you see what the floor is like after the install. Can I tile over a tiled shower pan? I have heard some mixed advice, and have seen very few related articles on the subject. I would strongly urge you not to do marble in the kitchen. Check the floor for high and low spots with the bubble level. Required fields are marked *. Tamp high spots down with the grout float. The grate can also slow evaporative drying. Soyou have a slab that was probably in the $2.50 - $4/sf range for subfloor prep. Anyway, the porcelain thin slabs themselves are just so expensive to install on the walls and floor (around $50-60 per square foot) that we put that idea to rest. Mosaic tiles are used because they are already "broken" into small pieces that conform to the underlying drain slope of the floor. That should have included sanding (which they did) plus leveling (which they didthat's the 1/8" you paid for). This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. Yes, I understand the topography, which is why I went with 2 x 2 hex. Let's assume you can get the slope right in a pre-formed center drain shower. I will post over in the tile forum. Dump the grout on the tile floor and press the grout into the joints with a rubber grout float. Hold the grout float at a 45-degree angle to the tile floor. This thin-bed mud approach is also the method of choice when building a barrier-free bath, where the floor of the bathroom connects directly with the floor of the shower rather than being separated by a curb (see A Sloping Floor for a Barrier-Free Bath, and also our full video series on the same topic: Tile a Barrier-Free Bathroom). wide. Vacuum any debris from the grout joints. Clean the floor with a damp sponge, using circular wiping motions. Set the cut tile in their respective spots on the shower floor. Looking through images of contemporary and modern bathrooms on Pinterest or other social sites provides some confusing thoughts about the right tiles to use for your shower. We have an excellent start to finish article, Installing a Leakproof Shower Pan, on the process, but heres whats involved: After the shower has been rough framed, a thin layer of Portland cement and sand (aka mud), just wet enough to cling together, is laid across the subfloor and pitched toward an adjustable drain in the center, or to a linear drain along one of the edges. But you do need a tile installer with experience doing these minimal modern showers. Can You Use Large Tiles on a Shower Floor? So, lets start with understanding why showers typically use smaller tiles over larger ones. The most distinguishing factor of our European shower base tile installations are the cuts. If the gradient is only in one plane then larger tiles should work just fine. Clean any leftover grout on the tile that the rag will not remove with white vinegar and a stiff-bristled nylon brush. Can I put new tiles over the cracked tiles? I agree with the advice to go with a linear drain and use large format tiles. I'm meeting with my tile installer tomorrow so I am going to walk through options with him. Large tiles are heavy, requiring a specially-formulated mortar to handle the tiles additional weight. Wait about one hour before continuing. And although its often shown being used for small shower stalls, its perfectly suitable for larger installations, such as replacing a tub with a shower, too. An improperly created subsurface causes high and low spots in the finished floor. Are they within a whisker of being PERFECT? This option might be a good choice for anybody whos nervous about their skills with dry-packed mortar. What is your professional opinion? My tile setter recommended nothing larger than 4" x 4" on the floor of my shower. If the added thinset created a high spot, rub the high spot with a sanding stone or cinder block. An even simpler option is to eliminate the mud altogether, and choose a sloped shower pan that already has the waterproofing layer attached. Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine. Getting the slope of the mortar bed right isnt unreasonably difficult, but there are ways to get it wrong, especially if this is your first try working with dry-packed mortar. Modern showers can feature larger designs with more floor space. Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros. I'm wondering, though, is it any more slippery than having a tub? Techniques weve learnt from European Master Tile Setters in Italy are now implemented on our very own jobs, right here in Ottawa. If they are not quite the same size when comparing 10 pieces = non rectified. Because if the membrane under the thick layer of mud is installed without an adequate slope or the weeping mechanism in the adjustable drain is blocked, water will just sit in the mortar bed and never dry, and that can lead to problems with grout failure or worse. Concrete slabs are created by the initial pour (first weeks of construction). Traditionally, shower floors feature smaller tiles, but why? MongoCT, very helpful advice. Sometimes even 4X4 is stretching it with a conventional center drain where the slope is pitched and coming from all directions. Only if there is a 3" deep whole or a 3" tall stone pocking out will they do anything more if carpet is called for. :) Have a great day and good luck with your kitchen remodel! Having money given back to you at the end of the day is not something to sneeze at. OKso they actually did a little bit of work and they did the crack reduction membrane (albeit as a cost you were not expecting). @pipdog the shower floor looks amazing. I put matte finish tile on shower by my pool and it feels ok non slip until my grandson uses half bottle of body wash. One other thing I've done a couple of times with large format that we figured would be too slippery in full tile size was scoring light lines across the surface of the tile. Can you use large tiles on a shower floor? There are plenty of large-tile designs, and you feel its the right choice for your new shower remodel. However, you need to ensure your shower pan meets the criteria listed earlier. Transfer the measurement to a sheet of tile. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Always remember to use top-quality grout, adhesive, and membranes when fitting your shower floor. Here are some of the examples I've seen that have similar tile configuration (our shower will have a curb that will be made out of quartz and a center drain). Two tile setters have told me that it can be installed on top of the existing floor, but people at the tile store said it is was not a good idea. Mix a white-colored thinset in a bucket, using the thinset manufacturer's instructions. Using low-quality products results in water getting under the tiles, causing mould growth and discoloration. It really does depend on the tile and its wet coefficient of friction. My instinct tells me if it is a small space that using the same tile on both the floor and in the shower would give a more cohesive look. When measured from the drain opening to the furthest wall, the level should show about 1/4-inch of slope per foot. If your next bathroom remodel includes a tub or prefab fiberglass shower base, then the installation is going to be pretty straightforward. Tile nippers chip clean up tight corners that the grinder cant reach. Doing that is of out-of-the-box, so it depends on the tile, and of course, the owner. If the drain is in the center, the tile you choose cant be more than 4 in. 2022 Coco Tile Flooring Contractor Inc. A new tile shower floor helped transform this common bathroom into a work of art. Any problems with puddling or installation? Use an angle grinder to cut the tile touching the shower drain opening. Do not install the tile surrounding the drain opening or any cut pieces of tile near the shower walls yet. And it's great to have few grout lines to keep clean. Look for large grout or tile cracks that run across the entire floor. Yes a skilled tiler could figure out the slope, but you would not like the result. If using a square cover, mount the adapter to the extension ring now. Today, large tiles are available in a variety of styles and designs. Make sure you choose a set of tiles that have a COF above 0.6. I've done a few of those as well, I have one in my own house up in Maine. Answer: The new tile will crack again if the foundation continues to settle. Lightly press the shower floor tile into the wet thinset with a clean grout float. I've done a few of those. Run a bead of tile caulking around the perimeter of the shower floor, covering the floor-to-wall grout joint. Hold one end of a bubble level on the drain opening and slide the other end of the level across the existing tile's surface to check the floor's slope. The material cost buy-in is higher than a couple yards of PVC membrane and the bags of mortar, but it results in a thoroughly impermeable barrier between the wet and dry sides, and and smooth, flat, square base upon which to set your tile. If we slip on the 50% more slip resistant tile I like the idea of scoring light lines across the surface of the tile but it sounds like alot of work. Here's how it turned out in our guest bath: I'd say no, due to needing a slope, and that they will be really slippery once wet/soap on them. The bad cuts can turn an otherwise good-looking tile floor into an amateurish-looking maintenance nightmare. A single raised tile can hold enough water to create a puddle. But we can't find smaller mosaic tile that is a good match to the 48x48 tile on the floors, and I'd rather have the continuity of flooring throughout the bathroom and not be broken up with different tile on the shower floor. What Is the Coefficient of Friction on a Large Shower Tile? Continue to add thinset to the problem areas, as needed. Use the nipper's blades to shape the tile so it fits tightly against the floor drain. I know what you want to do is being done successfully. many thanks. Start your subscription today and save up to 70%. Read on to learn how to tile over an existing shower floor! in a linear drain shower but not ok in a center drain shower. The installer told the home owner he had never had one leak. Note that there are companies that sell forms that help get the slope right. Check the coefficient of friction both wet and dry. The higher the COF the less slippery the tile will be. Do you have any information on this, like how to seal the drain to pan? So long as it stands up to every day life (with the anti fracture membrane you have a very good chance it will work hard for a very long time) you have a functional floor - albeit not the one you envisioned. Both of these issues promote mold and mildew growth in the grout and subfloor, which darkens the grout in the problem area. So I didn't press forward with it because even though I like the look of linear drains, I wasn't willing to pay a fortune for one. In my neck of the woods: $1/sf for carpet removal/disposal $1-$4/sf subfloor prep (includes sanding and leveling workwhich includes materials) $4-$12/sf labor to lay large format porcelain tile (which would include the anti fracture membrane) Tiles = extra I know some installers who charge MORE to lay non-rectified because of the complaints (everything you have said above is exactly what people complain about re: non-rectified). Most good tile setters will tell you that a high-quality tile project always starts with subsurface preparation. An adapter can convert a round drain cover into a square cover. If they wobble (because they are warped) on the table = non rectified. Only cover as much of the floor as you can reach with a sheet of tile. Thoroughly clean the entire shower stall, using any household cleaner that removes soap scum and hard-water deposits. They provided a bit more traction underfoot. 2022 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Lots of variation in a small space can tend give a room a "fractured" look as in the photo (although what you are using would be less frenetic than the photo attached). Our master bath has extra large format floors (48x48), and we have a bunch of leftover tile, and I am trying to figure out if we can use the same tiles in the shower, just cut down in size a bit. This rating provides the best grip in the shower to prevent slip-and-falls. The last thing you need is to slip on your tiles whilst taking a shower. Video Series: Tile a Barrier-Free Bathroom, Expert insights on techniques and principles. This logic can help, A recessed toilet paper holder and cabinets, diagonal large-format tiles, frameless glass and more helped maximize every inch of the space, Slip resistance, curves and even the mineral content of your water all affect which tile is best for your shower, Choose From a Palette of Grout Colors for a Warm, Unified Look, San Francisco's Sustainable Landscape Design & Installation, Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Outdoor Lighting & Audio/Visual Specialists, When Bigger Is Better: The Dramatic Look of Large-Format Tiles, Wasted Space Put to Better Use in a Large Contemporary Bath, Color Feast: Yes, You Can Use Blue in the Dining Room, 8 Reasons to Nix Your Fireplace (Yes, for Real), See the Clever Tricks That Opened Up This Master Bathroom, 9 Ways GroutYes, GroutCan Add to Your Design. Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features. And the installer. When working on a larger shower floor, consider laying about half of the tile at a time, completing the far half first. https://www.tcnatile.com/images/pdfs/DCOFBrochure_Aug2013_Comp.pdf, So I've run into a scenario where the tile I want for my shower floor has a DCOF of greater than or equal to .42. I am also going to get a large piece of the tile wet and throw some soap on it to see how slippery it really is. The floor slopes to the center from both ends. Remodelling the bathroom is one of the best ways to add value to your home. We havent done any full length articles on these kits, simply because they are very specific products with their own detailed instruction manuals, but they are quite popular and easy to use. The tile setter dry packs the mortar mixture in the shower pan. If your existing shower floor flexes, the new tile will crack in the same areas. Spread the thinset on the shower floor with a notched trowel, starting at the far corner and working toward the shower curb. Carpet removed.ooooh dear. A redesign gave the room a luxe hotel feel, Quell your fears of cooking splashes, cleaning nightmares and dust with these tips from the pros, The sky's the limit for beautiful blues in your home's dining spaces; here's how to make it work, Large-Format Rectangular Tiles GIve a Bathroom a Fresh New Look, Dare you consider trading that 'coveted' design feature for something you'll actually use? After the new tile floor dries, the ring will hold the drain cover flush with the new shower floor tile's finished surface. Question: My tiles are crack due to foundation settlement. He told me installation would be "significantly higher" than a normal center drain, which usually means he doesn't want to do it or isn't sure how to do it. If youre having trouble choosing the best tile options for your shower floor, call an expert. Thanks! The most popular large-size tile measures 12 x 24, giving you plenty of floor coverage. If they are all very flat and are all very close to identical in size = rectified. There is a super easy way to find out if you have rectified or non-rectified: Pull out 10 pieces and lay them flat on a table or flat surface. Above that, you can get excess rocking and lippage since the flat tile can't conform to the curved bowl. Preferably, you want a tile offering a COF of 0.6 for your new shower floor. Is your grate teak or ipe wood? Schluter instructions say no smaller than 2" on Kerdi so I plan to use 6"x24" in 4'x10' shower with very gradual slope in two planes plane toward 4' linear drain. This is the traditionalist approach to preparing a shower floor, and requires some labor. Everyone else will simply lay whatever you give them and then tell you AFTERWARDS that you got what you paid for. I called the tile place and they looked up the specs from the Spanish manufacturer, and it's not available. Note that the sloped mud bed is still providing the drainage, just like in a traditional pan, but the mud pan wont be getting saturated. Thats the concept for a thin-bed mud pan installation. This method is usually much more expensive than the traditional or thin-bed approaches, but it does provide more predictable results. The grates can feel pretty nice underfoot. Its important to note the Coefficient of Friction (COF) of your shower tiles to prevent slips-and-falls. For a standard "bowl"-shaped slope, again, it depends on the size and shape of the bowlbut usually four inch squares is a safe starting point. Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers. Not introducing a new material, making the shower floor nonslip and solving the slope problem. Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox. Carefully run a handheld grout saw across any thinset. Billbeee at en.wikipedia [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC-BY-2.5 (htt. If I were you, I would pose this question in a thread over at the "Tile Forum". The tiles are 12"X12" and they are not slippery ar all. Look for colours and designs that match your bathrooms colours and consider contrasting colours to bring more life and light into the room. These cracks are evidence of a subfloor problem that needs to be addressed first. By U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kate Thornton-Maurer [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons. We can't do a linear drain because the plumbing is installed and it is plumbed for a central drain. We recommend you determine the right tiles for your shower floor by matching them to your bathrooms theme. Continue to stir the grout until all of the dry powder has mixed and the wet grout has a uniform color.