How to install Granite Shower Shelves

dave-diy

I have 4 - 8 inch granite corner shelves for the shower. They are 1 & 1/8 inches think, kinda of heavy. I am trying to figure out the best way to install them.

I am in the process of tiling the bathroom & shower. I am planning on using the waterproof membrane "Kerdi" in the shower. I have hardibacker board on the walls already.

I was told by some people that just using the normal wall mastic might not be enough to keep the shelves attached to the wall. I thought of using 2 pieces of sink railing (1 on each side of the corner) under the granite for extra support. Another idea was to use 2 pieces of aluminum 2" angle in the same manner. Any thoughts or other ideas?

DannyT

if you are using kerdi you didn't need the hardibacker, regular drywall would have been fine behind the kerdi. Mastic should never be used in a shower. bagged thinset that you mix onsite is what you should be using.

dave-diy

Thanks Danny T. I appreciate the tip about the thinset. The drywall had to come off and thought I would just do everything with the cement board. What do you think about using two pieces of 2" angle to support the 8" granite corner shelve? One piece of angle would be 7" long and the other 5" long. Both would be screwed into 2 studs each. I thought I would cover the angle with kerdi then use a silicone or an epoxy?

oh'mike

Danny----code in the USA does not allow drywall in a wet area----

Protecting it with a membrane will offer a safe installation---but code does prohibit it-----

As to the corner shelves----notch the tiles to receive the shelves

Glue them in using 100% silicone caulk--

It is a cleaner install if you notch the lead edges of the shelves to hide the cuts into the tile----Mike---

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Bud Cline

What would be wrong with installing those shelves into a notch in the wall tile like everyone else does it?

Bud Cline

Actually Schluter's KERDI Membrane is approved for use in showers directly over standard drywall.

dave-diy

I was told they were to heavy to just mount with the thin set cutting the tile to go around them. The shelves are 1 and an 1/8th inches thick with 8 inch sides. Too heavy???

Would there be any issues using aluminum with thin set, silicone, or Kerdi? I was thinking of using 2" angle to set the granite on.

dave-diy

I responded to this but then I got wondering if I described the "notch" as you were meaning it. Do you mean cut a slot into the backerboard/studs? That is what one person told me to do. Or were you describing something else?

Bud Cline

Okay this is nuts!!! The shelves ARE NOT too heavy that's ridiculous.

You would never notch anything into the wallboard but you would notch the shelves into the wall tile. You don't need angle iron or aluminum or epoxy or bullet proof glass.

The shelves when notched into the tile will sit/rest on the tile. You can stand on them if you want to. They aren't going anywhere unless you are doing more stupid stuff with the tile adhesive. I don't know where some of you guys come up with some of the nonsense you bring here. You must be being instructed at the local barber shop.

Just plain wrong, that's all that is, just plain wrong.

dave-diy

Thanks so much for clearing that up. You wouldn't believe what I was told to do at the local tile shop and Home Depot!

oh'mike

Now I'll have look up my local code---I hate it when the rules change--

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Bud Cline

Mike, You've Got Mail.

Ron6519

Just because a manufacturer of a product says it's safe to do, does that over rule the code? Or does the code need to address the issue and change the rule?

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Ron
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
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