Advice needed for tiling around bath

[chris316]

I'm tiling all my bathroom walls, floor and even a tiled bath problem, but I have a slight problem which I'm looking for advice on.

Basically, I have a query regarding tiling round my bath.
You see my bath sits against 3 walls and is nearly the full length of my bathroom except for a 100-200mm gap between the end of the bath and the wall.

I am hoping to put on a tiled bath panel the full length of the bathroom.
But I'm not sure what would be the best way to box in and tile the top of this gap. I was thinking about putting in a shelf and tiling it, but I don't know whats the best way to do this, Should I:
1. make sure the finished tiled shelf sits flush with the top of the bath,
2. make the finished tiled shelf slightly lower than the height of the bath or
3. make the wooden shelf flush with the top of the bath, which means that once I tile it the tiled shelf would be sitting slightly higher than the top of the bath.

I was just wondering if anybody has ever come across this problem before or if anybody would have any recommendations on what I should do. I have attached a sketched layout of my bathrrom so that you can see what I mean.

[david campbell]

i would make the shelve level with the bath or higher so no water sits

[Dave]

The only problem tiling level with the bath is getting it water tight..

If the bath flex's slightly it will keep splitting silicone joint.

Ones i have done are sat at base of bath height..

[Saltire69]

I would have the tile siting flush with bath edge and just give it a slight angle so no water sits on it.

[Phil Hobson]

I always try to make the shelf higher than the bath end, with slight fall to the bath

[chris316]

Thanks for your replies so far.

It seems to be split regarding tiling level with the bath and tiling it higher than the bath, Is I'm still a bit undecided on what to do.

Dave you said that "Ones you have done are sat at base of bath height"
Could you please explain a bit more on what you mean.

[doug boardley]

same as Phil for me

[nybor62]

i agree with phil

[doug boardley]

although I was happy with this one too

[chris316]

same as Phil for me

You and Phil say higher than the bath with a fall towards the bath.
How high should the shelf be?
Should the edge of the tile sit flush with, or on top of the edge of the bath with a bit of edging and with the other end of the tile at the wall sitting slightly higher to create the fall?
Or are you suggesting raising the shelf higher than this?

[doug boardley]

I'd sit the tiles just onto the edge of the bath and slightly inclined up towards the wall. An edging trim really depends on what tiles you are using, but if you do use one, then make sure any water on the tile surface can come over the trim and back into the bath. Also run a bead of silicone along the bath/trim juncture to stop any water seeping back underneath

[nybor62]

You and Phil say higher than the bath with a fall towards the bath.
How high should the shelf be?
Should the edge of the tile sit flush with, or on top of the edge of the bath with a bit of edging and with the other end of the tile at the wall sitting slightly higher to create the fall?
Or are you suggesting raising the shelf higher than this?

about 100mm higher

[Colour Republic]

I always like to go a little bit higher



Unless the whole bath is inset like the one in Dougs picture

[chris316]

I always like to go a little bit higher



Unless the whole bath is inset like the one in Dougs picture

Its something like yours, the only difference is that where your door stopped you running the bath panel right up to the door wall. I can run my bath panel right up to the door wall with a about a 100mm gap in the wall between the door frame and the side of the bath panel. (if you know what I mean).

[Colour Republic]

Its something like yours, the only difference is that where your door stopped you running the bath panel right up to the door wall. I can run my bath panel right up to the door wall with a about a 100mm gap in the wall between the door frame and the side of the bath panel. (if you know what I mean).

Yeah I understand and I too would always finishing any boxing the width of the bath but in this instance there wasn't the room because of the door