Tiling a ply former with ceramic tiles? - Tile Advice

[Paul R Cox]

Hi, my builder has offered to create a former from ply to get over some problems we might have with moulded former. This would go onto 6x2 joists. The kind of tiles I'm looking to use would be the patterned ones that are usually glazed ceramic. If everything is properly supported, would there be any problem with this?

 

[Dumbo]

What issues do you have . Be far better to use a former.

 

[One Day]

I can 100% guarantee that any former made by a builder using wood will fail.
100%.
I would bet everything I own on it.

The tiles are completely irrelevant. If the shower former cannot be used without tiles, then it's not fit for use.

Sorry to be brutal but it's the truth.

Wet trays need to be made properly and even more importantly; installed properly.
You need someone with a solid track record of installing wet trays to do this.
Not a builder who is prepared to use ply.

 

[Old Mod]

Well, if there was even the tiniest break in the waterproof tanking AT ALL you may find you'll be taking a shower and suddenly find yourself stood on your dining room table with your hands clutched around your most delicate of places.
Using ply is a mistake.

 

[One Day]

I am confident that I could make a former out of ply and that it would last, but that's with two considerations:
1) I have years of experience installing and removing and rectifying wet rooms.
2) The time and materials involved to create a successful former would cost far more than purchasing a wedi / schluter tray and adapting that, or the floor construction to overcome any problems.

 

[Flintstone]

Classic builder!

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Brutal Impish!

 

[Blunt Tool]

there is a special powder to use when building a wet room tray out of ply it's called gun powder! Builders eh!

 

[Italy]

what it means, of ply?
Excuse my ignorance.
Layers of wood?

 

[Blunt Tool]

what it means, of ply?
Excuse my ignorance.
Layers of wood?

Yes Antonio

 

[Italy]

Yes Antonio

OMG!!!!
thanks calla

 

[One Day]

Apologies Paul for the brutal response.

To answer the question a little more professionally:
Yes, there are many MANY things that can go wrong with wood.
First alarm bell is the very suggestion by a builder to make a former from wood.
Now you possibly have an expert there, but the overwhelming chance is he is (with the best of intentions) going to cobble something together.
Wood is never a good idea because it is not dimensionally stable, it expands and contracts with humidity, moisture and temperature.
Even if it is waterproofed with a liquid or fabric membrane, it will ultimately fail in a short space of time - (disclaimer) unless this is done by an experienced expert who in 2017 should by now be using newer methods and materials.

If you can explain the problems you foresee with a moulded former, perhaps I can be more helpful?!

 

[Bathfix Bob]

Maybe the 'builder' is a proper super duper tiler but is just reffered to as a builder.

 

[Flintstone]

I once had a builder create a former out of concrete to a linear drain that was stuck up about 10mm. Needless to say, he was soon chopping it out

 

[Qwerty]

I once had a builder not take an hour's lunch break!

I know, amazing right!!??

Lol..... we need a new 'I once had a builder........' thread! The possibilities are endless