Ask Tile Excellence!: walk in shower

Perimeter Marble Borders of Foyer Floor

Marble Days #2

The second in the 3 part series of "marble days" is a little more elaborate than the first as promised and describes and shows the use of perimeter borders of marble around the edge of a foyer floor.

The middle of the "field" tile is a 4 ft by 4 ft custom laser cut mosaic marble medallion installed diagonally within the different color boarder.

The first 7 (# 1--#7) pictures are close ups of the medallion showing the detail and beauty of the highlight of this foyer.When installing a deco border on the perimeter of a floor you always pre-cut and lay out the border FIRST. Then fill in the FIELD so you get your BORDER square and laid out to your desired placement. Sometimes the room is not square or there is some variation in the outside of your room and you can hide these areas around the perimeter of your room, keeping the center field square and the visual flawless and centered.

The pictures # 8 9 10 show the perimeter border installed first ready to fill in the FIELD.After installing the border the field can be filled in , in this case with marble the 1\16 inch grout joint is quite challenging . The cuts leave no room for error and the fact that this FIELD is in a diagonal pattern just amplifies the challenge.Pictures # 11 12 13 show the progress of filling in the Field. This kind of installation can be a test for even the most seasoned of tile installer as marble is a entirely different installation than any type of ceramic installation,

The next photos #14 15 16 17 show the finished foyer and the detail involved in mosaic and perimeter border marble installations.

The next "marble Days 3" blog will deal with marble wall boarders , marble trims,marble base,and marble deco trims in a entire marble bathroom including a walk in shower a garden tub, and master floor.Hope you enjoy this blog and these great photos Chris

Rip out a tub and walk in a shower!

Removing a Tub and installing a walk in shower is not as hard as it sounds. Here in New England

most old tubs are cast Iron and can be broken up into pieces with a 9 lb sledge and carried right out side and in the truck.

The shower drain doesn't have to have the location moved , just cut it off and add a $12 shower drain for a rubber liner.

Define your shower area with 3 (three) 2 x 4 wood studs nailed on top of each other and screwed into the floor to create the curb. Rip out the sheetrock or concrete on your walls.

Install your rubber membrane to dry in your shower,

Install 1/2 inch Hardi Board on all your walls where tile will be installed. Then your ready to lay tile in your new walk in shower!

I've added pictures with captions below to walk you through the process . This particular job is in Brookline, Massachusetts, and marble is being used on the walls, there are inset soap boxes and both have marble tile ceilings installed. I don't recommend inexperienced installers to try to install inset soap dishes or lay ceilings these are difficult undertakings and should be best left to a professional. I wanted to share this job with you for you to envision the process see what it takes and maybe get some ideas for your own walk in shower enjoy Chris

Cast Iron Bathtub to be Removed for New Walk-In Shower Tile Installation

tub before torn out

Blue Electrical Tape Used to Define New Shower Curb Location

30 degree corner added to curb

changed to give 30 degree corner to curb

Marble Flooring Materials for Floors and Walls

marble to be used for floor and walls

Bathroom Bathtub and Bathroom Walls Torn Out

tub and walls torn out

Cast Iron Bathtub

cast iron tub broken into pieces with 9 lb sledge

Rubber Membrane Shower Liner Installed

rubber liner installed 12 inches up wall