DIY Network

Tile Shower Base and Floor Tile with style gives this new bathroom a European flair. From "Bathroom Renovations" episode DBTR-502

With the prep work completed, it’s time for the pretty stuff: Amy helps Andy and JP lay the travertine tile for the custom shower base and floor in their ultimate bachelor bathroom.

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Materials:

wet saw safety glasses small carpenter’s square clamp level tape measure pencil or marker chalk line

thinset tile adhesive 1/4" x 1/4" square-notched trowel tile spacers rubber mallet grout grout float grout sealer

Tile Shower Base and Floor

• Andy and JP chose an 18"x18" travertine tile for their shower floor and decided to use the same tiles – cut down to 3" square – for the shower base. This saved money compared to buying sheets of pre-cut 3" tiles.
  

  	Figure A
  	Figure B

• To cut the tiles, use a wet saw designed for tile work. These tools can be rented easily in most areas. Clamp a metal carpenter’s square onto the wet saw to use as a guide and keep the cuts accurate. Cut the tiles to the desired size (figure A).

  Safety Alert: Always use caution and wear safety glasses when cutting any type of tile, whether with a power saw or with hand tools.

• To define the edge of the tile installation next to the whirlpool tub, hold a level next to the tub and make a mark on the shower base where the tub deck will fall, Repeat at the other end of the tub and snap a chalk like between the two marks as a reference.

• Wearing a dust mask and safety glasses, mix thinset tile adhesive according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

  Safety Alert: Always wear safety glasses and a dust mask when mixing thinset adhesive, powdered grout or any other dry tiling material.

• Spread thinset for the first group of tiles with a 1/4" x 1/4" square-notched trowel. Work in small areas so the thinset doesn’t dry before the tile is set (figure B).

• Set tiles along the reference line, using spacers to ensure an even grout line. When setting the tiles, press them into the adhesive and give them a slight wiggle to help them adhere. This slight movement and the notches in the thinset will help the tiles bond securely.

• Use handheld tile nippers to trim tiles to fit awkward spaces. Make sure to wear safety glasses when working with tile nippers.
  

  Figure C

• To tile the floor, first make sure the floor is clean and free of debris.

• Follow the same procedure as for the shower base, spreading thinset on floor with a square-notched trowel. It’s acceptable to spread a larger amount of thinset for these tiles, since the job will go much more quickly.

• Set each tile and give it a little twist to make sure the thinset adheres to the tile. With larger tiles, Amy recommends tapping around the tile with a rubber mallet to make sure it’s set securely (figure C).

• Use a wet saw as needed to cut the large tiles to fit around awkward spaces.

• Allow the thinset for the shower and floor to cure according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Apply grout, allow to cure and apply grout sealer.

RESOURCES :
Limestone Tile
Kate-Lo Tile & Stone
Website: www.katelotile.com