Wall boards in shower enclosure

LeeElms · 24 Feb 2010

In an estimate for refurbishment of our ensuite shower room, the builder has stated that 'I will use a cement board from 900mm down to the floor on all sides of the enclosure.'.

Is it adequate to only have cement board up to 900mm ... I had assumed that the cement board would be used from floor to ceiling in the actual shower enclosure area (this area is to be tiled).

Mreagleeyes · 24 Feb 2010

Found this for you.
http://www.asktooltalk.com/questions/faq/interior/bathrooms/green_board.php

In my opinion when it comes to tiling the shower area it would be a lot easier to have a continues panel running the full length of the shower area, floor to ceiling. Is the builder just going to use standard plaster board above the Cement board?.
If it was my shower I would definitely specify that the Cement Board ran the whole area of the shower.
Have a look for a product called 'Aquapanel'.
Hope this helps somehow.

pren · 24 Feb 2010

I agree that it seems a bit daft just doing the lower section of a shower.

From what I understand, the ideal setup is to use aquapanel on the areas immediately around the shower area, ideally sealed with a tanking kit. Tiles should be fixed with a waterproof adhesive and waterproof grout. It's important to note that waterproof grout will still let water through. It's just that it wont be affected by the water as long as it gets chance to dry out between showers. You can get additives to mix with the grout that will help keep most of the water out, but some will still get in, especially if you have a powerful shower.

Aquapanel is designed to hold together if it gets wet whereas regular plasterboard can disintegrate. The tanking forms a watertight barrier in front of the wall board and is normally used for wet rooms. It might be a bit overkill for a shower enclosure but I'd got the extra mile and cost to make sure it's a job you only have to do once.

Apologies if you knew all of this already. I only found this stuff out after I'd made my shower enclosure :roll: . So far, nothings fallen off but I am careful not to aim the shower directly at the walls for too long. 8-[

LeeElms · 24 Feb 2010

Thanks for the replies ... I certainly can't see any reason why it isn't taken to the ceiling.

Any more input appreciated ...

jasonB · 24 Feb 2010

I would advise tanking the entire enclosure, it's what I always do on all the ones I put in.

I also mostly use Aquapanel when constructing the shower area though occasionally use Hardibacker or Wedi Board. If going this route then the Aquapanel should have the joints taped with their mesh take not the fibreglass adhesive scrim used by plasterers as this is attacked by tile adhesive. The Aquapanel should then have a thin skim of flexi tile adhesive applied followed by tanking as the tanking does not stick 100% to raw aquapanel.

Flexi grout and flexi adhesive on any boarded surface

Some say that as you are tanking you don't really need a tilebacker board just moisture resistant plasterboard (green paper) but for a few extra quid its worth it.

Jason