Tile or not

[blastedfury]

I'm about to put a new shower enclosure into our en-suite. The room has been completly gutted and i'm now ready to install the shower and tile. The instructions that came with the shower tray say i should tile the wall first then install the tray against the tiles. But on many a site i've read that you should install the tray first then tile.

So i have slightly conflicting information. Could anyone tell me what is the correct way or is it dependent on the tray?

[grumpygrouter]

In my experience it is normal to install tray first and tile onto it to give a better seal. maybe your tray is a slightly different design that requires installation first.

[blastedfury]

It's just a bog standard acrylic tray on feet. I tought it was best to install it first then tile on top to!

[grumpygrouter]

It's just a bog standard acrylic tray on feet. I tought it was best to install it first then tile on top to!

Suppose it depends how thick the "shoulders" are on the tray.

[blastedfury]

Sorry to sound ignorant. But which bit is classed as the shoulder. I asume it is the flat bit that the enclosure sits on. If so then thats at least 6cm wide!

[grumpygrouter]

Shoulder is just the term I could think of to describe the top edge. If you have 6cm to play with I would definately fit the tray first if it was me, you have plenty of "space" to tile onto.

[tile55]

Have to agree completely, fit the tray first then tile over to get the best seal. In some cases it may be advisable to sink into the wall if the walls are not square.

to te forum

[Gazebo]

I have never tiled down behind a shower tray and i never will, everyone else is spot on tray in first level it up nicely then tile down to tray leaving a 2mm gap for silicone joint. Maybe contact the manufacturer to clarify why they would want to butt the tray upto a tiled wall.?

[cornish_crofter]

I put the tray in first then tile down to the tray.

However, I have heard that some shower cubicles could end up out of alignment if you only tile down to the tray.

[accord]

I have done many bathroom refurbs with a plumber and we always put the shower tray (or bath) in first and then tile down to tray (bath). Gives a much better and more reliable seal, never returned to a leak to date!!

[simhopper]

I put the tray in first then tile down to the tray.

However, I have heard that some shower cubicles could end up out of alignment if you only tile down to the tray.

if this ever happens a company called flair international do shower cubicles that have a 100mm allowance for no standard shower sizes

most enclosures only allow 20mm per side

[davy_G]

Mmm tray first for me unless there is a really good reason why not. As advised contact the supplier to clarify

[Dave]

Normally tray first....BUT there might be a reason why it says tile first....read the instructions for the screen installation, this might be the reason...

I did one last summer and it had to be fitted after tiling because of the screen...

[brian c]

thats what i was thinking ...the screen that it comes with is usually a certain size and you only have limited tolerances and tile thickness needs to be taken into consideration.I heard this happening to a plumber i know not that long ago.

[asabrush]

I'd always prefer the tray installed first,as said already,for a much better and secure seal.

Couple of occassions where I've had to tile first is where I've had a very thick tile to install and if it'd been tiled down onto the tray,the shower door wouldn't of fitted.... Got called to a job last Dec where this was the case(another tiler hadn't communicated with the plumber) Only option was to grind out two strips for the shower profile to be recessed into the tiles!!! Horrible job

[lucius]

Ive come across a few corner baths that you wouldnt want to tile down to.
Lucius

[aflemi]

I'd always prefer the tray installed first,as said already,for a much better and secure seal.

Couple of occassions where I've had to tile first is where I've had a very thick tile to install and if it'd been tiled down onto the tray,the shower door wouldn't of fitted.... Got called to a job last Dec where this was the case(another tiler hadn't communicated with the plumber) Only option was to grind out two strips for the shower profile to be recessed into the tiles!!! Horrible job

Apologies if I should be posting a new thread but I tried to use the quotes on one and it didn't work. I have a 3-sided shower to tile and the door is going to be extremely tight once the tanking, adhesive and tiles are on. I have never done it this way before but what are the downsides in fitting the door after tanking has been done, then tiling over the L-profile. Obviously if you need to replace the door, then the tiles will have to be removed, so have to keep spares. are the chances of leaking increased....?