Suitable substrate for travertine wall tiles in bathroom

[MarkP80]

Hi guys, another query from me!

OK, still on the bathroom (for those who've seen my floor thread) but the walls this time.

The room is currently tiled, and these will all be coming off, and from past experience will bring lumps of the plasterboard with them. The walls are simple stud construction (1980). I'm probably going to tile at leat two of the walls to ceiling height, and a shower will be in one corner.

So, can anyone please recommend the best way to sort the walls? As the plasterboard is likely to be badly damaged, I'm quite happy to remove it and replace it with something else. What I don't know - I'm hoping you can give me some good advice! But I'd rather do something like replace it with a special material, than patch up the plasterboard then apply a treatment.

I do realise that whatever tiles the Mrs finally chooses, they are likely to be those heavy ones (I think they're called travertine?) So, skimmed plasterboard seems like a bad idea as common sense tells me I'll end up with a pile of rear-skimmed tiles on the floor!

So, is there a special alternative to plasterboard to use, that is simply screwed to the studwork (and what's it called!) that is suitable for the weight of this type of tile. Also, considering it's a bathroom and some parts will be in a shower area, should I be applying a waterproofing system (like dura-wp?)? (well, getting someone else to apply it for me, I mean)

As well as the walls, I'll also be having some boxing constructed to concela the cistern for a wall hung toilet. Again, what material should this be faced with - ply, or again is there some special tile backing board?

I only want to do this once.....

Many thanks for all the helpful advice,
MarkP

 

[wetdec]

Hi Mark

Un-skimmed plaster board m8.

http://www.tilersforums.com/tiling-forum/19165-tile-weight-plaster-board-walls.html?highlight=gypsum


..

 

[brian c]

reading between the lines here...i think you are thinking about cement backerboards Mark.Cheaper alternative is exactlywhat Wetdecs says .

 

[wetdec]

Why thank you sir :thumbs_up:


..

 

[MarkP80]

Thanks guys (you lot are so quick with the answers!)
If it's good for the loads, then that's fine by me. Is this ok for the walls in the shower area too, or do I need to apply a waterproofing system?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[doug boardley]

I'd use a tanking system if I was you Mark

 

[ruscopico]

Use Hardie Backer and a waterproofing kit as you mentioned for the shower area, don't pay someone else to do it, just follow the instructions its pretty straight forward.

You can also use it for the boxing in of the cistern as it will be more resilient then plasterboard should you have any problems further down the line - oh and don't forget to leave an access panel.

You might also want to take this opportunity to consider insulation in the stud walls for thermal/acoustic considerations.

good luck

 

[wetdec]

Plaster Board 12.5mm £ 2.30 / M2

Hardi Board 12mm £ 13.34 / M2


Both will require sealing against water ingres...............

 

[MarkP80]

If I use say Dura-wp to line the walls in the shower area, what effect does this have on the acceptable tile load, or is this just considered part of the adhesive layer?

Also, one wall is external, plastered blockwork I think, not dry lined. Sorry for all the questions, but what would the tile load be for this?

thanks,
MarkP

 

[wetdec]

Dura-wp is well over your load weight no worries on that score. If the plastered wall is roughed and skimmed and sound you should be ok m8


..

 

[atlantistiling]

Tanking syatem, WP1 or a shluter product would do the job

Tiler Tiling Exeter Devon Tilers Amtico and Karndean fitter