[Cjohn]

Ah gotcha, thanks Jazman. I didn't realize the grinder could go straight through the center of a piece of cement board, and I wasn't sure of the diameter. Even better if one tool can do it all!

Hey Gregzoll--thanks for the tip. We already bought the cement board, so I think we're stuck with it for this project, but I'll definitely keep that in mind for the next project--we plan on doing the the other bathroom and the kitchen (assuming this one doesn't end in disaster!).

[gregzoll]

Keep the Cement board for the Kitchen, and go get the other.

[zakany]

Originally Posted by Cjohn

We already bought the cement board...

Gah! Too late to suggest DITRA. As a first-timer, that made the job much easier.

[Cjohn]

I looked at Ditra but it was about three times as expensive as the cement board (mostly because it's sold in 54 sq/foot rolls and my bathroom is 60 sq/ft--d'oh--I could be more selective about size with the cement board). We do plan on doing the other rooms, but probably not soon as we're expecting a baby and I've heard they can be quite the time-suck. I didn't want to spend the extra money and then have to store all that extra ditra, since it'll probably be at least a year (probably longer) before we start on the other rooms. But you'd recommend it when we get around to the downstairs? I don't know anyone who's actually used it.

[zakany]

I would recommend DITRA, yes. For years I thought it was gimmicky and overpriced, but I spoke with a lot of tile specialists at a remodel show last year and they use it. So I talked with the Schluter guys at that and a subsequent home improvement show, to learn more about how to use it.

It does cost more, and you may feel like a schmuck paying a hundred bucks for a roll of plastic stuff, but it was very easy to use.

I am really big on spending money where you don't see it. Often, the quality of any DIY job is determined by the preparation and what's under the materials you do see.