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can I do a tiled showered inexpensively???

14 years ago

Try to keep the remodel under 5k. We were going to do a stock vanity and a tub/shower insert. Problem is, I am not finding any baths I like nor any that will fit. The space is only 30", and most prefab showers and tubs come minimum 31" clearance. I found a 60"x30" shower pan insert for a great price (under $200, maybe even $100...can't recall) and I can do large tiles on walls from HD, Lowes, etc. for a reasonable price.

I know a lot of materials go into tiling. Can I do it all for under, say $600 (self-installation)???? (I can borrow a wet saw and other tools)

Appreciate all advice!

Thanks!

Patty

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Comments (5)

roobear
14 years ago
Patty I think were doing the same bath remodel LOL.

Ours is the main bath, so I had to get a tub/shower combo so I went with Swanstone 60 x 30 tub- not sure how it's going to hold up, but we made sure to secure it really well. I wanted something deeper than the only cast iron tub that came in 60x30, since that's the space we have.

We are doing a tile surround as well, I picked up my larger 12x12 ceramic tiles for 66 cents/Sqft and a mosaic tile to use as a border for 2.50 a 12x12 sheet and I'll cut that up and use only two rows at a time.

The thinset, grout, and cement board will be extra expense, but if you DIY it and keep your tile costs down I think it's completely doable.
dietcokejunkee
Original Author
14 years ago
I am reading Bill Vincent's FAQ regarding tiling. VERY informative.

Some questions, what is the minimum grout I can do with a 16x16 or 18x18 shower wall tile? And for 20+ floor tile? I love the look! (Need to check prices...)

Patty

Here is a link that might be useful: Bill Vincent's Bath TIle FAQ
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So, to be clear, I wasn't really talking about the drywall - I was talking about the backer-board behind the tile. That should be 1/2" cement board or something similar. You won't be able to feel it, you will need a visual. If it's a bad install, two things that can happen: 1. There was no waterproofing and so the water seeps through the grout and such and into the backer board. 2. The backer board sits too far down on the tub, without an air-gap. And because of that it is wicking up water from the edge of the backerboard. You will only be able to determine that (without taking the tile off) by getting a visual of the back side of the backer board. If the bottom edge of the backerboard looks dark from moisture, it will have to be redone. ____________________ Since you say that the door is properly caulked, the other place I'd look is the junction between the tile and the tub. That appears to be grouted when it should have been caulked. Anywhere there is a change in plane it should be caulked, not grouted. To do a better job, fill the tub with water first so that there's weight in the tub before you caulk. Yes, water sitting on that tub/tile edge over time can cause moisture to wick horizontally through the grout and cause the issue you see on the drywall. Caulk the tub/tile joint to prevent water that sits there from being drawn into the grout.
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glenster_jr
14 years ago
A shower can be certainly be done "DIY", but tiling is a technical trade, particularly in a shower. If you don't first educate yourself on proper construction, you could create a nightmare of mildew, mold and even structural damage in your home. Read everything you can on waterproofing tile showers. The John Bridge forum is a wonderful resource for this.
MongoCT
14 years ago
Patty,

Code requires showers to be a minimum of 30" square, that's why you're finding shower pans that need 31" rough to get the 30" finished dimension.

As to minimum grout lines, it depends. Some tiles aren't that uniform in size. Were you to set those with tight grout lines, the non-uniform sizing of the tiles would throw your layout off as you went up a wall or across a floor.

Other tiles are "rectified", they are cut to size after they are fired. Their sizing is uniform. You could set those with a minimal grout line and maintain straight grout lines across the floor.

For non-rectified large format tiles shoot for 3/16ths grout lines at a minimum.
dietcokejunkee
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks mongoct. I didn't realize there was a code minimum. No wonder we can't find 30" anything! We are having a heck of time on this project, which was supposed to be a "quick" remodel. Seems nothing is ever easy...

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