Porcelain wall tiles onto Exterior Ply??

[sludd]

Hi Guys

I'm refitting my en-suite and have ripped out the existing plasterboard in the shower cubicle. The tiles I am using are 400x400 porcelain and I wonder about using exterior grade plywood instead of plasterboard. The reasons are in case I need to change the tiles in the future without the wall disintegrating and also to get a solid fix into the stud, given the weight of the tiles...

My question is whether this is likely to be OK and will the tiles adhere to exterior ply (as they do on a floor) - if so, what adhesive is best and should I prepare the plywood in any way beforehand.

If not, is standard "green" plasterboard OK and again, what prep (is tanking still required or should I use a primer) and adhesive is best.

I've had lots of experience of porcelain floor tiling without any issues, but not yet on walls...

 

[Alan.P]

Use plasterboard or backerboards, not plywood, use normal plasterboard and tank it for piece of mind.

 

[Stewart]

I wouldn't use ply on the Walls. As above, I would use a backer board or plasterboard and tank.

 

[kilty55]

as above plasterboard tanked would be better

 

[Gall.B]

Hi Sludd if you want to go the ply road would be stronger but I would go bor marine rather than exterior bonded both sides coverd in screws NOT NAILS, tanked, Adhesive the new bal single part flexible or anything that rubberises also expensive.

Hope this helps m8

 

[jwatson]

use a tile backing board no issues on weight, strong doesnt let water soak through, it is inflexable, and the tiles will go on beatuifaully. leave 2mm gap between boards fill gap with silicone, scrim joints and adhesive over silicone. good to go.

hope this helps.

 

[sludd]

Thanks everyone - question answered. No plywood!!

Is there any benefit in the waterproof plasterboard available at B&Q, or if I'm going to tank it does it matter. Alternatively, could any of you guys ( I notice your locations) recommend a stockist of aquapanel or the like local enough to deliver to Cumbernauld.

I'd rather get it right than do it cheap...

 

[jwatson]

what pattern are you doing with the large format porcelain. brick ect?

 

[Spud]

I saw the g-tec aqua boards in Build Base today and it looks really good, not sure what it costs but the boards look like they would be as easy to fit as plasterboard

 

[sludd]

Just a standard grid pattern really...

 

[aph257]

i use standard 12.5mm plasterboard and tanked.

 

[White Room]

Hardie dos'nt break down if it gets wet, it's not water proof.

 

[Gall.B]

cosmo ceramics dixon blazes glasgow do wedi board pm me and i can give you my 3rd off discount

 

[paul78]

wickes stock aquapanel.

 

[sludd]

Is the aquapanel available at Wickes OK - though I suppose builders merchants should also stock...