DIY Network

Tiling Shower Floor Natural stone sets off the quartz shower surround. From "Bathroom Renovations" episode DBTR-512

Andy and Maria's shower surround is striking, fabricated from huge panels of quartz. They wisely had a professional crew make the final cuts in the quartz and muscle the massive panels into place. With the walls up, they were ready for some tile on the shower floor.

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Materials:

sheets of pebble tile thinset tile adhesive safety glasses dust mask knee pads bucket drill with mixing bit 1/4" x 1/4" square-notched trowel

utility knife grout bucket grout float sponge water grout sealer tile sealer

	This pebble-tiled shower lives up to the rest of the room's terrific tile work.
	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

Tiling Shower Floor

• Make sure the drain is covered with painter's tape to protect it before beginning the tile work.

• Use a drill with a paddle bit to mix thinset tile adhesive according to the package instructions. Mix it to the consistency of cake frosting.

  Safety Alert: Always wear safety glasses and a dust mask when mixing thinset, grout or any type of masonry adhesive. Also, use caution when working with a power drill or any other power tool.

• Starting in a back corner of the shower, spread thinset on the shower floor with a 1/4" x 1/4" square-notched trowel (figure A). Hold the trowel at about a 45-degree angle to the concrete floor when spreading the thinset, then use the notched edge of the trowel to create ridges in the material. These ridges create suction that helps hold the tile in place and also allow the adhesive to dry more quickly.

• Press the first sheet of pebble tile into the thinset, butting the sheet as close as possible to the walls (figure B). Wiggle the sheet of tiles slightly to settle it in the thinset.

• Continue to spread thinset and add sheets of tile to the floor, butting the sheets as close as possible. If there isn't room for a full sheet, remove tiles as needed from the sheet and set aside, then trim the mesh backing with a utility knife and set the remaining portion of the sheet normally. Also use this technique to set the tile around the drain.

• Once the shower floor is tiled, go back and fill in any gaps with individual pebbles. Let the thinset cure completely according to the package instructions before grouting.

• Natural stone tiles must be sealed before grouting. Check the manufacturer's instructions and seal the tile if needed before grouting.

• Wearing safety glasses and a dust mask, mix grout by hand to the consistency of peanut butter.

• Spread grout across the tile using a grout float (figure C). Hold the float at a 45-degree angle, working the grout into the gaps between the tiles.

• Let the grout dry for a few minutes until it begins to form a haze. Wipe away the haze with a damp sponge and let the grout cure completely according to the package instructions.

• Seal the grout for easier cleanup later. For the best results, follow the instructions for the specific sealer used.

RESOURCES :
Tile
The Tiile Shop
Website: www.thetileshop.com

Quartz Shower Surround
Cambria
Website: www.cambriausa.com