I just started to remodel my bathroom. I want to put an "arch" above the tub. My brother did this and it looks VERY nice. How do you go about ceramic tiling the cieling of the arch? I've heard it done this way: score 1/4" cement backer and snap it but don't let it break thru so you can sort of "conform" it to the arch. This is the way I am thinking of doing it but I figure someone would know the correct/better way of doing things. Oh yeah, to make the arch itself I am putting up 2 2x10 stringers(one on each end near ceiling)then running 2x10's across(parallel lengthwise with the tub) the stretch 16" OC. Before I hang them I will have cut out an arch pattern. The plan is then to put some kind of backer board up......thats the part I need suggestions on.....actually, if anyone wants to come and just do the whole remodel that would be cool too.....

Ron

 

Sorry Ron I couldn't get your post to load last night.

You know what I would do? That damned cement backer board can be hard to work with and I wouldn't even try it in this application.

I would use plain ole everyday 1/4" moisture resistant (MR) sheetrock. It will conform to your arch I'm sure without any hocus pocus. Put up two 1/4" sheetrock boards screwed to your structure and tape/finish your seams normally then go buy some liquid waterproofing like "Laticrete's Floor and Wall" and waterproof that puppy.

Lowe's sells the product and it works G-R-E-A-A-T. About fifty bucks a gallon but well worth it considering what your going to try to do otherwise.

 

Ron,

In response to your email:

MR (Moisture Resistant) drywall is just that. It is a gypsum board that is considered by it's manufacturer to have moisture resistant qualities.

Sheetrock is in fact a registered trade name, all the products are actually gypsum board. I'm not so sure that "drywall" isn't also a registered trade name.

Anyway these gypsum wallboards that have some moisture resistant qualities sometimes have a green paper covering or a blue paper covering instead of the familiar light gray. Hence "greenboard" or "blueboard". They are basically the same thing.

This MR rating doesn't mean they can be used in shower walls. They are of course, but they have a reputation of not lasting, now I'll admit that is arguable but I sure have torn out a lot of them over the years that didn't last.

MR in a shower ceiling is a different thing and the products seem to do fine there when used for a tile substrate.

Even so...I would recommend waterproofing the MR gypsum board as a precaution.

 

Bud,

Thanks for the info, now I know what all this stuff means. Here's another question.... I've never tiled before. I'm not real worried about doing it as its about the only thing I haven't done in a home remodel. Just wondering if you have any tips as far as mixing the thinset(how thick/thin?). Also, will the thinset be "sticky" enough to hold a tile on the ceiling part of the arch? I guess this is the part I am kind of worried about. I have mixed thinset once before and if I recall it just doesn't seem like it would hold a tile in place on a ceiling. I may have mixed it too thin tho.

Thanks again for your time and wisdom!

Ron

 

It may be my imagination but I think most thinsets (I use) all react slightly different under what I would say are identical circumstances. You mix 'em, you allow them time to slake, you remix them, then in about fifteen minutes they have all changed their consistency on their own and they are all different.

I would say to follow the manufacturers directions for mixing keeping in mind that YOU DO HAVE SOME FLEXIBILITY in your mixing technique. It doesn't always have to be exact. Thinset is somewhat forgiving when mixing. Also remember that if mixed properly the first time then you can go back and remix later and most will return to their original consistency at their first mixing. Don't add water, just re-mix, you'll be surprised.

Will thinset stick tile to the ceiling? ABSOLUTELY!!! (In most cases)

Now if I were tiling that arch, I would begin setting tile at a low end and continue up the hill, but I would also be stacking the tile on shims as I go to keep it from sliding down the slope. You never know. CYA.

 

Bud,

Thanks for the advice.....I'll be taking before and after pictures and post them when I'm done. I actually just had another thought today. I was thinking I may just put in an el cheapo steel tub for $100 (instead of the $300 jetted model which would also require me to move some plumbing) and a plastic surround. Only reason being I'd like to move sometime this year. It would just be a whole lot quicker to slap up the surround. Either way, I'll be posting pics.............

Thanks again for your time......

Ron

 

Ron, I'm looking forward to seeing pictures of your arch. If you decide not to do it could you maybe post a picture of your brother's? I'm very curious what that looks like
Thanks