3 Simple Steps to a Beautiful Shower Tile Surface
Before you get started:
Tools You May Need:
- Chalk Line Tool
- Tape Measure
- Framing Square
- Pencil
- Carpenter's Lebel
- Tile Nippers
- Rubbing Brick
- Tile Cutter
- Hole Cutter
- Tile Spacers
- Buckets
- Towels for Clean-up
- Caulk Gun
- Mixing Paddle
- ½ in. Drill
- Notched Trowel
- Grout Float
- Grout Sponge
- Access to Clean Water
- Paint Roller
- V-Notch Trowel
- Straight Edge
Choose your setting materials:
Select the mortar (thin-set) that corresponds with your tile type.
TEC® Skill Set™ offers options for a wide variety of tile types including porcelains, ceramics, glass, stone, and other tiles. We also offer mortars that specialize in large tile applications.
Select your grout.
- Sanded grouts are used for floor applications for grout joints 1/8 in. to 1/2 in.
- Unsanded grouts are used for wall applications for grout joints 1/8 in. or less.
- Unsanded grouts are also used for glass tile and natural stone because these tile types can be scratched by the sand in the sanded grout.
- Grout joints still must be 1/8 in. or smaller to use unsanded grout.
- Products for showers and tub surrounds include Power Grout™ or DesignColor™ Grout with Grout Boost® grout additive.
- Available in a wide array of designer colors.
- Stain resistant and easy to use.
Select caulk that matches your grout color.
As you follow the installation instructions in this guide, please note the special requirements for glass tile installation (below).
Special Instructions for GLASS TILE* INSTALLATIONS
Product Selection:
- For glass tile applications, use TEC® Skill Set™ Glass Tile Mortar.
- Check with the glass tile manufacturer for grout recommendations (sanded versus unsanded). Typically unsanded grout is recommended with glass tile.
*Glass backed tile only. Visit www.tecspecialty.com for glass tile bulletin
Installation:
- Follow the glass tile manufacturer's instructions for cutting glass tile. The tools and techniques may be different than the instructions in this guide.
- After spreading mortar on the surface (substrate) and combing with the notched trowel to create ridges, use the flat side of the trowel to flatten the ridges, creating a uniform setting bed that fully covers the substrate.
- For sheet mounted tile such as mosaics, press the glass tile into the bed of mortar on the wall, pushing out any air bubbles and making sure 100% of the back of the glass tile is coated with mortar.
- For individual tile, use the flat side of your trowel to apply a very thin, uniform, continuous layer of mortar to the back of each tile (known as back buttering). This layer should not exceed 1/16 of an inch. After you verify that 100% coverage has been achieved, press the back buttered glass tile into the bed of mortar on wall.
- Make sure tiles are firmly set before grouting.
1. Prepare the Surface
Surface preparation is one of the most important steps in the tile installation process. Remove shower and bath fixtures. Cover all surfaces that you are not tiling. For showers and tubs, waterproof the surface underneath the tile to prevent water from damaging the substrate.
Approved substrates for shower walls and tub surrounds with a showerhead:
- Cement backer board
- Fiber cement backer board
- Mortar bed
- Glass mat water resistant gypsum backerboard
- Cementitious coated extruded foam backerboard walls
- Fiber reinforced water resistant gypsum backerboard
- Concrete or masonry
Approved substrates for tub surround with no showerhead:
- approved substrates listed above
- water-resistant gypsum board
Basic Substrate Preparation:
- Substrate (tiling surface) must be clean & dry.
- No grease, sealers, dirt, dust, debris, paint, etc.
- To patch holes, dips and cracks, select an appropriate patching product.
- Any section of wallboard or other surface that has been damaged by moisture must be replaced. If installing new backerboard be sure to follow manufacturer's instructions.
Shower/Bath walls:
- Must be dry, structurally sound and well-braced (maximum stud spacing 16 in. on center).
- Must be flat and should not flex. Make sure the substrate is securely attached to the wall studs. Maximum allowable variation is 1/4 in. in 10 ft. from the required plane.
Note:
Note: Refer to the appropriate manufacturer's instructions (spacing, joint taping, etc.) for your type of backerboard.
- Ensure there are no holes or voids in the substrate. Use an appropriate patching product to repair voids.
- A waterproofing membrane (ANSI A118.10) is recommended for walls to prevent water damage and protect adjacent building materials. (See waterproofing)
Shower Floors:
- Shower floor mortar beds must be properly waterproofed and installed to avoid water damage to adjacent building materials. Refer to TCNA handbook for shower floor substrate installation requirements.
