[creiteljorge]

Hello everyone and thanks in advance for any help.

I'm planning a tile shower install for my master bath remodel. The foundation is concrete slab and I'm just wanting to make sure I'm not missing anything major.

I plan on using the Kerdi System with preformed tray (seeing as I'm very much a novice). I thought it may be a little extra protection (and probably unnecessary) to install CertainTeed Fiber Cement backerboard instead of drywall behind the Kerdi. I have vapor barrier hung on the exterior walls (on the inside of the 2x4s) but I didn't think I would need any on the interior wall.

I want to use cement board screws to hang the boards and from what I've heard and seen on Schluter's website I do not need to tape and mud the boards before hanging the Kerdi. Good idea??

Once the Kerdi is up, I plan on installing porcelain tiles and doing pebble tile on the floor (like I've seen on John Bridge's forum). I'm considering hanging 5/8" drywall on the ceiling and finishing that up with some primer and a couple heavy coats of enamel paint. Didn't think that fiber cement backerboard was necesary for the ceiling since I'm not tiling it.

That's about as far as my planning goes at this point. Any thoughts? :confused1:

 

[JazMan]

Hi,

Smart move going with a Kerdi shower.:thumbsup: The backer is not necessary, but you can use it if it makes you feel better. The Kerdi tray has the required 1/4" per ft. fall, but with pebble tiles it would be better to have a steeper slope. The base makes doing the floor easier, it does not make it more waterproof.

Kerdi membrane provides waterproofing and vapor protection, you should remove or at least slash the vapor barrier on the insulation.

Use whatever fasteners the board manufacturer tells you. No need to tape the joints, Kerdi fabric will do that. Keep all drywall compound away from tiled areas. Thinset does not like Gypsum.

I'm not sure 5/8" drywall is a good idea for the ceiling. May be too heavy. What is the on-center spacing of the ceiling joists?

Jaz

 

[creiteljorge]

Thanks, JazMan.

How terrible would it be if I kept the 1/4" fall with pebble tile? I like the idea of not having to slope a traditional mud pan.

Why should I slash the vapor barrier? Would I have a problem with having the following layers: studs with insulation, vapor barrier, fiber cement, kerdi, tile? Is it a trapping of the vapors sort of thing?

The ceiling joists are, I believe, 19" on-center. I will measure and update when I get home.

 

[creiteljorge]

Update - 19" on-center.

 

[JazMan]

I think you should keep the tray and go with the 1/4" per ft. I mentioned it so others will consider why it's better to have more especially with stones. BTW, 1/4" is the minimum recommended even for square tiles.

Consider slashing the paper cuz you don't want two barriers.

You must have rooms above this ceiling since ceiling joists are usually 24" o.c. your are 19.2 which must be a floor. Standard floor joists is 16", but 19.2 and 24" are used too.

Jaz