Retiling Shower - how much backerboard?
#1
06-16-11, 07:08 AM
Join Date: Apr 2005
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Retiling Shower - how much backerboard?
Hi all,
(NOTE: In two minutes of searching, I couldn't find a non-floor tiling forum, and the walls thread didn't convince me it was appropriate, thus I'm posting here)
Several design/execution questions for retiling a shower:
1) The existing 5'*2.5' tub/shower has 4" wall tile squares up to ~6.5' up the wall and then drywall from the 6.5' mark up to the 8' ceiling. For remodels, is there a current trend to do the tile all the way to the ceiling, or do people stop at the same height that a typical fiberglass shower surround would stop?
2) IF I were to redo the tile to the 6.5' height, would I A) only put backerboard where tile will be affixed, or B) could I get away with (aesthetically-speaking) putting backerboard up to the ceiling and painting the area not covered by tile? If (A), I'm imagining I would install some 2*4 horizontal pieces between the studs so that the drywall/backboard seams so that both could be screwed in. There would be no seams not covered by tile. Option (B), though, would be much easier because I could put the vertical seams on studs and would have no horizontal seams to negotiate. However, I would have to worry about the transition from drywall to backerboard along the vertical seam that would be exposed from 6,5' up to the ceiling.
Thanks!
-Chris
(NOTE: In two minutes of searching, I couldn't find a non-floor tiling forum, and the walls thread didn't convince me it was appropriate, thus I'm posting here)
Several design/execution questions for retiling a shower:
1) The existing 5'*2.5' tub/shower has 4" wall tile squares up to ~6.5' up the wall and then drywall from the 6.5' mark up to the 8' ceiling. For remodels, is there a current trend to do the tile all the way to the ceiling, or do people stop at the same height that a typical fiberglass shower surround would stop?
2) IF I were to redo the tile to the 6.5' height, would I A) only put backerboard where tile will be affixed, or B) could I get away with (aesthetically-speaking) putting backerboard up to the ceiling and painting the area not covered by tile? If (A), I'm imagining I would install some 2*4 horizontal pieces between the studs so that the drywall/backboard seams so that both could be screwed in. There would be no seams not covered by tile. Option (B), though, would be much easier because I could put the vertical seams on studs and would have no horizontal seams to negotiate. However, I would have to worry about the transition from drywall to backerboard along the vertical seam that would be exposed from 6,5' up to the ceiling.
Thanks!
-Chris
#2
06-16-11, 07:14 AM
Super Moderator
If you aren't going to tile all the way up...then you should transition to drywall. Painting backerboard and trying to get a smooth even finish would be a nightmare.
Many people tile all the way up...ceiling included. But normally I don't like the look unless some decorative accents of some sort are installed. Just one type of tile the whole way looks kind of massive and overpowering....IMO of course.
Many people tile all the way up...ceiling included. But normally I don't like the look unless some decorative accents of some sort are installed. Just one type of tile the whole way looks kind of massive and overpowering....IMO of course.
#4
06-16-11, 06:23 PM
Member
Before you opt for tiling all the way up you might want to make sure that the ceiling is parallel to the floor. I once redid a bath spending lots of time making sure the floor was level. I changed my plans to tile all the way to the ceiling when I found out the ceiling slope was nearly an inch over the length of the 48" shower. I ended up stopping a couple of tiles short and overlapping the drywall for a transition.
However, I agree that tiling all the way up looks best.
However, I agree that tiling all the way up looks best.
