Checking I'm on the right track!

[Unregistered]

Hi all,

My boyfriend and I are installing a new bathroom into a 3rd bedroom in our new house. Could I just check we are on the right track with everything. Opinions welcome 🙂

Remove floorboards and replace with plywood
Walls are plaster but don't look/sound particularly strong so lining them with HardieBacker 500 or something similar - is this the right thickness?
Tiles floor and walls with 10mm Travertine tiles (do we have to use special grout/adhesive?)

My boyfriend is in charge of the wetroom install. AFAIK he's placing the tray directly into the floor and using tanking liquid. I am sure there is more to it than this but I don't know enough about this bit. Any tips on this would be good 🙂

I apologise as I think everyone must post this situation as travertine/wetrooms are popular atm and have been looking around the forums also to get some tips.

Many thanks in advance

Gemma

 

[david campbell]

if you don't have a height issue with the floor and the floorboards are in good condition you could ply over or use 6mm cement boards,you are doing the right thing with the walls as travertine is quite heavy,remember to seal the travertine prior to grouting,also remember to use white adhesive!

 

[Rob Z]

Hi Gemma, here in the US the standard practice is to use two layers of plywood (plus a membrane or other product that is compatible with tile or stone) under any natural stone. In my experience with travertine, there is a lot of variability in the stone and some are quite weak. To play it safe, it's good to have as much support as possible for natural stone.

From what I have seen here on the forum and the way things are done in the UK, I think it would be a good ideal to extend the tanking membrane out of the shower and across the floor, to protect the plywood from moisture. It won't cost that much more in material or your time.

If possible, you could contact one of the forum sponsors (WetDecs) for specific application instructions for tanking the shower.

Good luck with your project and have fun.