How to tile a shower?

[Andy4k6]

Hi,

I'm just about getting ready to start my tiling in the bathroom, the first problem i have found is with my shower.

What is the standard practice with them, Should I tile before fitting the base or after? I was intending on fitting the base and then tiling, however after looking in the instructions it seems there is a cut out for the lip on the base in the shower. I am assuming if I tile up to the base the glass will then be too long and i then won’t fit.

Any help greatly appreciated,

Andy

[Fekin]

Normally the shower tray is fitted, then the walls are tiled.

[365drills]

Agree with Fekin.

Also: I have tried to re-read and re-jig your post and this is what I think you are trying to say

Should I tile before fitting the shower tray or after? I was intending on fitting the shower tray and then tiling, however after looking in the instructions it seems there is a cut out for the lip on the shower tray. I am assuming if I tile down into the shower tray the width of the shower cubical will be too short and the glass screen won’t fit.


I've modified your question so if its NOT what you are asking then please shout!

Some shower trays have an extra lip like this:


This lets you tile deep into the shower tray. It helps form a water barrier.


One you have fitted the shower tray. And tiled. Then its time to fit the glass.
The glass panel should come in a frame which is expandable. (and contracts).
You will have a movement joint where you can contract and expand the glass to provide an exact fit to your cubicle.

Movement is only a few cm either way so make sure you buy the correct glass panel to match the shower tray.
IE: 800mm - 800mm. 900mm - 900mm. Etc

Hope that helps. And if I have totally mis-read your post just shout !!!

[Andy4k6]

Thanks for the help,

Yes sorry should have read my post before posting as it's not very clear,
I will take some photos tonight to help explain.

My shower is a walk in shower and does have the extra lip as per the photo above. The glass is frameless and the large glass end panel has a cut out at the bottom to match the lip in the tray. The mounting for the glass is adjustable (20mm) for the wall being out, my concern is if the tiles come out as far as the lip this will then move the glass too far forward. If it's too far forward the corner fixing at the bottom will not fit.

I hope that helps to explain and I’ll add some photo's when I get home to help explain.

If it makes any difference my tiles are 10mm porcelain tiles.

Many thanks for all your help

Andy

[bighen]

Hi Andy
Make sure you silicone seal the tray to the wall prior to tiling, then silicone the tiles to the tray. Belt n braces

[Andy4k6]

Hi,

Many thanks for all your help so far i now have some photos to explain my problems.

Firstly this is the shower i have bought (a B&Q special )



This is the base, the lip runs all the way around the base



The lower edge of the large screen which is cut out to match the base,



and finaly the instructions / diagram




Many thanks for all your help,

Andy

[Dave]

That looks like a type of tray that goes in after the tiling....

I tiled an aen-suite last year that was like that....the tray sides are dead square and you silicone the tray sides up against the tiling....

Ring the tech line number on the installation brochure to confirm...

[Andy4k6]

That looks like a type of tray that goes in after the tiling....

I tiled an aen-suite last year that was like that....the tray sides are dead square and you silicone the tray sides up against the tiling....

Ring the tech line number on the installation brochure to confirm...

Sounds like a plan, it looks like thats how it's fitted but as i have never attempted a bathroom before thought it was better to ask the experts.

Thanks Again

Andy

[bighen]

Don't call me old fashioned, BUT......... you could set the tray off the wall to suite the tile & addy thickness. Silicone the tray to the wall - then tile & silicone.
If you tile then butt the tray to the tiles, you've gotta hope that the corner is square otherwise you'll end up with varying silicone thicknesses - PLUS you've gotta hope that the silicone holds otherwise you'll end up with a free shower downstairs too

Just a thought

[365drills]

What a nightmare! Yes it does look like the mfr is suggesting that you just plonk the tray up against the pre-tiled wall.

So the silicone joint is the method that holds the water back. I think that if I was going to do this I would be tanking the whole area first as a tiled wet room.

That way any water ingress down the back of that tray will puddle. Rather than be absorbed into the fabric of the building.

[Andy4k6]

Thanks again for all the help, looks like I'm having a nightmare.

Being the idiot i am i forgot to take the number for the shower company with me, I'll have to call them tomorrow.

I'm lucky in one respect as the bathroom is on down stairs the biggest problem is i need to keep it water tight. I have raised the shower up on 2x4 blocks and then a sheet of WBP ply on top to make it solid. Don't think that base will be too good if it starts getting wet regular.

I'm thinking of putting the base in spaced out slightly and tiling after that, How much space will i need for my 10MM porcelain tiles and i think it's granfix adhesive I'll be using.

Many thanks

Andy