Tile Over Sheetrock In Shower

Step 1 obtain materials from home improvement center.

Tile over sheetrock in shower.

In areas of high moisture such as walls in a shower for long term durability it is not advised to install tile over drywall even if the drywall is type mr moisture resistant. Ceramic and porcelain tile more than almost any other surface material needs a stable flat flex free substrate. Step 4 place tile adhesive on the sheetrock. However adding the right kind of drywall board behind the tile can be challenging especially considering all the moisture the wall will have to withstand over the course of its life.

Step 2 fill holes. These days that s almost nowhere. In showers the standard substrate is tile backer also called cement board or cement backer board. In areas that are exposed to an abundance of moisture it is better to install a cement board as a backer rather than a gypsum board.

Measure across the wall the length of. The wedi board wedi shower system includes special bonding agents referred to as wedi caulk though is much more than caulk that waterproofs the seams in the corners as well as the joints where the 3 5 board pieces join together. Adding a tile wall to the shower is great way to breathe new life into a bathroom. How to tile over painted drywall.

Step 5 grout. The only place it s ok to use it is when tiling in non wet areas over drywall with small ceramic tile. Don t use tile mastic in wet areas like showers over cement board fiber cement board kerdi floors or with glass tile large format porcelain tile natural stone or most anywhere else. How to tile over sheetrock.

While it might sound like a good idea to install backer board over drywall before tiling the shower the reality is that the drywall should be removed beforehand in most instances. With tile showers in particular you can have a lifetime guarantee as long as you follow the proper installation methods. Step 3 apply primer to the sheetrock. Use a utility knife to remove a little 1 2 square section of paint paper from the face of the drywall.

For example if one wall s tiled area will measure 36 inches wide by 18 inches high you would draw a rectangle that is 36 inches wide and 18 inches high on a piece of cardboard. Whenever installing tile in any area of your house you need a special substrate or base layer. Measure the width of the wall and divide the number by two to find the center. If the paper is green it s greenboard and you shouldn t tile over it.

It will be fine to tile over drywall in low moisture areas such as tiling around a fireplace. Measure each proposed tile area above your shower surround and draw a matching to scale outline on a large cardboard sheet. Sand the wall with 80 to 120 grit sandpaper on an orbital sander s pad. If it s just white or grey tile away to your heart s content.

Purchase the joint compound putty knife primer adhesive and other materials needed to. Compare this to the common practice of tiling over drywall and you get the idea that you have a totally different shower by using a product that is meant to function in the shower.