Look into Schluter tile trim. It gives you just a little metal line on the edge.

Schluter trim is very nice (IMHO) - a very clean edge and it comes in several colors (brushed nickel, chrome, (we also used a dark brown to match some other tile) - it’s a bit of a modern look. We lined the little shower nooks (for shampoo) with it as well - it has little “squares” to finish off the corners (versus trying to miter the edges) if that’s a look you like.

12 x 24 requires dead flat walls. You'll need to shim all the walls for cement board to extend over tub lip so plan for those shims to be full height, custom ripped. Check walls for plumb and straight end-to-end. Any deviance will make a difficult installation much harder, with lippage, curved cuts, etc.

If the clown crew that’s been working on this bathroom is going to be doing the tiling, DO NOT choose a large format tile (LFT), which would be anything with a width and/or length over 12 inches (some define it as anything over 15”, but they haven’t seen what you’ve been going through!) And bullnose is not outdated. Where’d you hear that?

Kate, Patricia, and Candace, thank you so much. The waterproofing, thinset, and grout is available locally so I don't need to order it. I need to order the tile now, so I started with it on this post. I am ordering the concrete board and drywall to be delivered next week. The concrete is still drying so waterproofing will not be done for a while.

I do need to clean the mortar mix off my marble floor. He mixed it on a tarp and the tarp leaked. I cleaned the footprints off of my carpet, rugs, and oak floors that they tracked. He said the mortar will just mop up off the marble. I am betting it will scratch the marble.

Which Schluter material should I choose?

L angle

Rondec

Quadec-for mosaic trim. How does this metal hold up in a shower wall?

The Finec looks like what I need for the edge. I assume I would also put it on the top horizontal tiles. Does the metal have to go to the edge and hang over the corner? I am not sure if I want metal sticking out.

Will this work for my glass panel on top of my pony wall? Quartzite will go on top of the pony wall. Plus the stainless steel brackets that go on the walls to hold the glass. (braces under concrete board.)

I have not found the little squares (instead of mitering the corners), but I will keep looking. I saw them in a picture though.

Seabornman, thanks. I have never set 12x24 tile before. The largest size I have ever installed was 18x18 on the floor. The largest wall tile I have ever set was 9x12. The 12x24 tile also comes in 12x12 and 9x12, but the 9x12 is out of stock. I may have to rethink the 12x24.

I know the 12x24 can't be set 50/50, and that 33/33/33 will help with lippage. The 9x12 would not have the same problems or at least not show as much.

Bullnose is not outdated. You can also look for a matching or complementary pencil liner to frame the edges, but you need to watch the depth of the installations vs the thinner tile.

Thanks, Chispa. To be honest, the Schluter metal reminds me of the metal trim they used to use where the laminate backsplash met the laminate countertop.

When selecting a tile, make sure to take into account the space you have. You've only got 32 or 39 inches. A tile that's 12 inches will not give you the greatest look. 2 1/2 tiles ( or 3 with a little piece) would look strange. I'd opt for a smaller tile that can be manipulated easier within your design and space. I am not a fan of the Schluter either so you are not alone.

Design Girl, yes, thank you. I have seen 12 x 24 tiles placed lengthwise horizontally and it was fine on the back wall, but did not look good on the two ends. : )

I will probably use cardboard to make a mockup of the tiles in various sizes.

Pick your tile before choosing the edging -- for example, there is white Schluyter which totally disappears against white tile.

Thanks.

I recently redid my hall bath that has an alcove tub. The alcove is 32x60. I used 12x24” tiles stacked vertically and used bullnose on the outer edge. On the 32” walls there is the 3-1/2’’ wide bullnose, two 12” wide tiles and then a 3-1/2” wide cut of tile. In my opinion it does not look strange with that “little piece” like design girl says. Here is a picture to help you decide.

Since you have up to 39” using 12x24 tiles should work just fine with or without a bullnose edge.

The long wall of my alcove has two 12x14 tiles, a 12” mosaic strip and two more 12x24 tiles.

see if your tiles come w/a bullnose or liner option. use that.

here are examples done w/12x24 tiles

you could also make a tub skirt

Beth H, the tub has a skirt, but it is not as pretty as those! I have been thinking about putting a mosaic strip about eye level.

Badgergal, I like the bullnose. It doesn't look like the tile edges of long ago. Very pretty tiles!

I was going to go with a larger tile until I saw a shower with 6"x18" tiles today...

12" wide tiles would do well with 36" of wall. I don't have to tile to the corner. I noticed with my master bathroom shower curtain that water gets on the drywall past the tiles, so I was going to put the tiles to 39" and make the pony wall 39" so I can have more tile.

That may not work though. The tub is 32" wide with 36" - 39" pony wall. The end glass panel would be how wide? 32"? So part of the pony wall would not have glass on it...the end. The front of the tub will have a folding door or shower screen.

Am I thinking right on this?

The faucet tub spout is 7 7/8" but the copper pipe he installed is only 6" less amount for backerboard and tile. He didn't ask how long I wanted it. The height of the shower pipe is 77" less whatever the arm is.

The pony wall just has a couple of screws holding it to a side stud and the concrete. Hope that is sturdy enough. I assume the glass end panel will have a support arm.

Since the end will be a glass wall, I don't have a towel rack. Any ideas for a towel rack or hook? Regular shower head on a 5 ft tub.

If my shower tiles and floor tiles are matte, what do I do about the countertop? It is glossy. I don't know if honing it would be good since my fabricator is a very small shop. Maybe I could get away with matte floor and find glossy shower tiles?

So, where should the tile END on the pony wall with glass on top? Should it go JUST to the glass or should it go PAST the glass panel to the back of the pony wall? I know I still need to add bracing to attach the glass panel.

I am planning to have the tile installed to the edge or almost to the edge of the front wall. Picture below.

It will be a delay, since my plumber cracked the flange in 3 places which voided the warranty on my brand new tub. Another new plumber to find. And I still have not found a tile guy who knows more than I do!

We have had the new tub in the living room for several months. The original plumber that broke the flanges will not return my calls. Not that I want him to install the newest tub since he broke the last one, but I am rather tired of paying twice for things.

I have decided that I am going with Wedi board. Every tile "professional" I have talked to knows less than I do, and all I know is what I have read about in John Bridge's tile book, and the National tile book, and on Houzz.

So, Wedi board will be used instead of concrete board because we will do it ourselves. The bathroom has been gutted for 12 months and we are tired of waiting.

Here is my plan:

1. Put Wedi board on the back wall and on the interior pony wall. On the back wall, put the Wedi board so that it goes past the pony wall on the upper part. Put Wedi board on the shower head wall and pony wall where the skirt goes to the floor.

Now, I still don't know for sure about where the tile will end.

2. I think the tile should go to the back side of the pony wall, where the Wedi ends and the drywall begins. A glass panel will go on the pony wall. I think I want to leave a ledge on the inside of the 6" wide pony wall, so the glass will not be centered. How far should the tile go past the vertical glass panel?

3. I think the ledge will need to slope slightly towards the tub. Maybe?

4. On the shower head wall that is 39" wide with a 32" tub width, that gives me 7" to play with. Should I take the tile to the corner or should I stop the tile at 37" or so?

5. Tile to the ceiling or not? The tile place that sold me the Wedi board said I didn't need Wedi on the ceiling, and they said tiling up to the ceiling or not was my choice.

Thanks.

what tile are you using?

tile can extend an inch or two past the vertical glass.

what about solid pieces for the curb?

niche?

I'd take the tile all the way up.

no need to tile the ceiling.

let me show you a pic of mine because it's a little hard to follow all your questions

I have a pony wall with solid pieces of marble on the top, and down to the curb (yes, it should be slightly sloped)

the arrows just show where the bullnose tiles go

Inside of the pony wall. smaller niche to hold razors or smaller items you don't want shown.

I chose not to use any glass.

do these pics help answer any of your questions?

Very helpful. No niche. I love your shower. I will stop the tiles on the pony wall exactly where you did. Thanks so much.