curbs for showers

[Rob Z]

One of the many things I have learned here is that showers in the UK typically are without a curb. Because of the way our plumbing and building codes are set, a curbless shower is really an anomoly and not done much, nor is it understood by many tile setters how to do one properly.

I was just pulling curb shots out of some photos out of a shower we did last summer and was sending them off to someone that needs them. I thought I would post them here in case they are of interest to anyone. (Some of you might recognize this shower because I posted other parts of it in a different thread earlier this fall).

 

[DHTiling]

What make is the wall membrane Rob..?

 

[Rob Z]

And then this curb is ready for tile, or it could be waterproofed on the surface with a liquid or sheet membrane. Many would say this step isn't necessary because the pan liner is waterproof (if installed correctly). We still usually waterproof the curb directly under the tile beause if the mortar stays dry then the grout and the shower will dry out faster and look and smell better for a lot longer.

 

[Rob Z]

Dave, that is Noble Company CIS membrane, bonded to the substrate with either thinset or their proprietary glue EXT. You know from the JB forum a frequent poster with the screen name "E3"..this is one of his products.

This same shower was shown as part of that pan liner thread here in the Arms from back in the fall, but I didn't show much about the curb and thought I would add it in here in case it is of interest to anyone.

I would like to do more curbless showers like you do in the UK, but trying to get builders and GC's here to do some planning in advance is a real :mad2:

 

[DHTiling]

I thought it might be the Noble one Rob..

Is that same thickness as Kerdi then..?

 

[Rob Z]

Dave, it is much thicker than Kerdi. I think Kerdi is 8 mils and Noble is 30 mils. It is actually easier to install because of the glue is so sticky and also because it will handle like a big sheet than can be folded in advance and placed in the shower all at once. For that shower we only cut one piece and folded it in the corners, and then installed it all in one shot (no seams in the corners).

 

[DHTiling]

So it is like a card consistency..?

 

[Rob Z]

Dave, yes...let me look for a photo of the Noble getting installed and you will see how stiff it is. Kerdi is like hanging wallpaper. 😀

 

[DHTiling]

Interesting...but walls meed to be extremely flat as well..

 

[Rob Z]

Here you go Dave, this shows how this can go in all in one shot.