Advice on bathroom remodel

jswartsel

Hey Everyone,

This is my first post here; glad to know there is a community out there to discuss things like this!

We are in the middle of a DIY bathroom remodel, and I need to get some advice. I've attached a couple pictures so you can see what I'm talking about (hopefully).

Originally there was a shower installed in the area where the window is. We have stripped that out and are planning on tiling this area, both walls and floor, and installing a clawfoot bathtub. Since it won't be a true shower area, I was going to install permabase (or something similar) directly onto the studs and tile over that.

I know that the permabase instructions say you should install a moisture barrier behind it in areas of high moisture, but what I don't know is if this is necessary given that we are installing a free standing bathtub. We will still have a shower head and the bathtub faucet will be coming out of the wall.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Attached Images

  

Bud Cline

And how will the shower water/spray be confined to the clawfoot tub?
We need more information.

jswartsel

I'll be mounting a circular/oval shower curtain above the tub.

Bud Cline

OK got it! Kinda assumed that was the intent.

That being the case you don't need the Permabase. To use it would be a waste of money and create seam issues you don't need.

I would use MR (moisture resistant) Drywall. That's all that would be required. No moisture barrier would be required either. Tape and bed the drywall seams and install the tile. In this case the tile could even be installed with mastic if the tiles aren't going to be too big.

The floor may be a different story however.

How is the floor constructed?

Joist size, joist spacing, subfloor material over the joists?

jswartsel

Thanks Bud! This bathroom is on the first floor, and it's just terrazzo right on the concrete foundation.

My plan was to tile right over the terrazzo.

Bud Cline

OK...Good again.

Claw-foot tubs and tile can present special issues with point-loads (between the joists) on wood structures. On concrete, and on terrazzo you should be in great shape.

Be absolutely sure the new tile is "bedded" with thinset at 100% coverage.

The terrazzo should be stripped of any coatings or finishes and even scuffing it a little would be a good idea.