New Bathroom addition. We want to put tile on shower floor which will be located over a crawl space. How is the pan made and what type of mortar bed is used and any other suggestions that would help this portion of the project go smoothly

 

Your can purchase a shower pan for this purpose. You might find the following links helpful http://www.johnbridge.com/tile_shower.htm

http://www.doityourself.com/ceramic/

 

To get it done right, there are several critical components. They include

A "pre-slope", which is a sloped mortar bed set on a moisture barrier on the subfloor. The mortar is made from "sand topping mix".

A pan liner (generally PVC, sometimes CPE) is set on the pre-slope, with edges extending up 8 to 10 inches along each wall, and also extending over the front of the curb. The pan liner is nailed only at the top and on the front of the curb.

A 3-part clamping ring drain with weep holes

A second sloped mortar bed over the pan liner

tile bonded using latex modified thinset mortar cement.

The John Bridge website and all the info it contains is a must read before you hire someone to do the tile floor.

It is also possible to DIY, but it will take a LONG time.

Good luck!!