[myfirstbathroom]

For my standing shower, i installed schluter kerdi system with prefab tray. I decided to go with pebble tiles for the shower floor which means lots of surface area for grout. I want to use urethane based or epoxy based grout for the floor to give me the best water tight surface. has anyone used Trucolor or anyother hard to use grout for pebble tiles? how did it work out?

Thanks,

 

[Bud Cline]

Does Schluter Systems recommend using such a stone over their foam shower tray? I would be afraid...in fact...I would bet this won't work. I think you would need a minimum of a two inch flat bottom tile to keep from punching into the soft foam tray. The fact that the tray has KERDI Mat over it doesn't change any of this.

 

[myfirstbathroom]

Are you saying that standing on the pebble will give uneven weight distribution to the foam below? i would think a spread of thinset to attach a kerdi membrane and another spread of thinset to adhere the pebble tile should be thick enough to distribute the weight evenly. Would you think it would be better if i do another spread of thinset and put another kerdi membrane?

I will make a call to Schluter tomorrow and see what they say.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Bud Cline]

i would think a spread of thinset to attach a kerdi membrane and another spread of thinset to adhere the pebble tile should be thick enough to distribute the weight evenly.

Nah! No way!

Would you think it would be better if i do another spread of thinset and put another kerdi membrane?

Nope!

The survival of that Styrofoam shower tray depends on weight distribution over any area. Small stones will not provided that distribution in my opinion. Two inch flat tiles would be the minimum in my thinking. The thinset offers no real redistribution either, besides, the thinset isn't that thick to begin with and it isn't considered to be of any structural benefit.

See what Schluter says and let us know.

 

[myfirstbathroom]

I called Schluter regarding useing pebble tile for prefab tray on my shower.
They said pebble might compress into the tray and leave a mark, and it is not recommended. I would have been happier if they just came out and said don't use it. Anyway, i decided to go with 2x2 plain tiles for the shower floor since its my first shower remodel. With that, Trucolor grout should be also easier to install.

I have another thread going with using cheap thinset for Kerdi system. You guys have been so helpful. Thanks,

 

[Bud Cline]

They (Schluter Systems)said pebble might compress into the tray and leave a mark, and it is not recommended.

Well then there ya go! Ole Bud was right again. I had a feeling that is what they would say but you wouldn't have believed it coming from me.

With that, Trucolor grout should be also easier to install.

Okay now, HOLD ON THERE MISSY!
I'm going to throw you yet-another curve ball.
I think the Tru Color grout is a premixed grout product is it not? If it is, I gotta tell you that all of those premixed products are presenting problems for people. We have heard of pre-mixed grouts that were installed and didn't set up after weeks of cure time. They also can re-emulsify and wash out of the joints according to some reports here on Internet DIY Forums. Ole Bud would suggest you don't use Tru Color grout either. Go buy an old fashion Portland cement grout or one of the newer urethane grouts but don't use that pre-mixed stuff.

You may be trying too hard to minimize your effort and that usually doesn't pay off for anyone but the product manufacturer.

Have I made your day yet?

 

[myfirstbathroom]

Trucolor is urethane based grout.

I think I got you on this one.

 

[Bud Cline]

Trucolor is urethane based grout.

If that's the case go for it. I have never used Tru Color. I just know from hanging out on the street corner that it is pre-mixed.