Shower floor tile layout question

[branimal]

I'm trying to finish up tiling my bathroom project. I've got a few options. I'd like to get some input on which will look the best. The shower is 52" L x 39" W. I'm using 12x24 porcelain tile (11 3/4" x 23 3/4"). I'm going to orient the tile in the same direction as the floor outside the shower area. The curb will be tiled with the same tile. The width of the shower will have 2 pieces of tile cut to 19 3/8" wide.

The tricky part is the length of the shower.

Options:
1. Line all the grout lines up with the area outside the shower. Unfortunately when I was laying the floor tile, I didn't think about this and my grout lines won't be able to line up (off by 3/8") without using a sliver of tile in the back of the shower to get things to line up. I think this is a non-starter.

2. From the faucet wall : use 75% of a full tile. Then 3 full tiles. Then 75% of a full tile. The grout lines will be off. But I'm hoping the shower glass will make it less obvious.

3. Use a mosaic tile. I like this idea, but I'm a bit worried about all the additional grout lines. More surface area to get dirty. More areas water will seep onto the waterproof membrane. I know the waterproof membrane is going to lead the seepage to the drain, but.... I made the dry pack mortar bed myself and there is some wavy-ness. So I'm worried water can pool up in some areas.

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Dan C]

I did the mosaic route over the kerdi membrane. No issues after 5 years. You could also turn the larger tiles to 45 off the rest and add a cool look while using the same tiles.

 

[The Cobbler]

try this,
lay the tile on half joint ( grout lines end up halfway thru a full tile on the floor outside the shower)
put 2 equal lenght tiles down so grout line is centered between walls .
lay a full tile centered on that grout line, fill in the ends

 

[branimal]

try this,
lay the tile on half joint ( grout lines end up halfway thru a full tile on the floor outside the shower)
put 2 equal lenght tiles down so grout line is centered between walls .
lay a full tile centered on that grout line, fill in the ends

This definitely looks better than how I layed it out. I get almost a full tile in the front by the drain. But I'm left with a 6" piece (1/2 tile) in the back.

When I do tile the shower, should I start from the linear drain and work my way to the back wall?

 

[branimal]

I did the mosaic route over the kerdi membrane. No issues after 5 years. You could also turn the larger tiles to 45 off the rest and add a cool look while using the same tiles.

I flooded the shower floor with a garden hose... and it drains pretty well. So mosaic is still an option. I'm gonna play around with it.

 

[The Cobbler]

When I do tile the shower, should I start from the linear drain and work my way to the back wall?

Yes, I would probably start with a factory edge at the drain and go back from there.

 

[Ls1Lark]

Seems contrary to people’s taste. But if you go mosaic on the floor. Do a darker grout. Or do a complimentary, yet darker tile all together. The floor doesn’t have to match the walls. Most just don’t want to mix another batch of grout.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[thammel]

Darker grout advantage: you won't see it get darker when it gets dirty!!

 

[like2wheel]

If using the mosaics, consider using epoxy grout.

Edit:
Are those mosaics marble?

 

[78SC4X4]

It's more work, but you have an option between full tiles and mosaics...

 

[branimal]

If using the mosaics, consider using epoxy grout.

Edit:
Are those mosaics marble?

Ceramic.

 

[branimal]

The large tile has a DCOF rating less than 0.42. And the specifications say its not suitable for shower floors. (It is suitable for bathroom floors.) I'm not worried about slipping in the shower, but I am only getting older. Plus if I ever rent this unit out, I don't want to deal with a lawsuit.

Looks like mosaic it is.

Thanks.

 

[Dan C]

The grip the grout joints provide is definitely an added benefit.

 

[Dakota00]

DO NOT use large tiles for a shower floor, it'll be a slip hazard. Stick with smaller format tiles or mosaic.

Fix the waviness in the slope with thinset and a small straight edge, build up as needed. Spend the time in prepping properly, this will save you time and aggravation when installing the mosaic.

 

[Dan C]

DO NOT use large tiles for a shower floor, it'll be a slip hazard. Stick with smaller format tiles or mosaic.

Fix the waviness in the slope with thinset and a small straight edge, build up as needed. Spend the time in prepping properly, this will save you time and aggravation when installing the mosaic.

Exactly what I was after. Didn’t mean to imply the grout joints of the larger format would be enough.

 

[branimal]

I started cutting the mosaic tiles. Im happy with the way it looks.

@Dakota00 Good call on fixing the waviness. I found one spot that was pretty bad.

Do you guys prefer to use shower tile for the curb or the large floor tile?

 

[Dakota00]

Do you guys prefer to use shower tile for the curb or the large floor tile?

Looking good!

Truthfully I prefer using a full length marble jam. In your case, large tile for the front and top, shower tile in the inside.

 

[Dan C]

Those look great! I did the large format for my curb on all three sides, keeping the mosaic as a focal on the floor only.

 

[branimal]

Fix the waviness in the slope with thinset and a small straight edge, build up as needed. Spend the time in prepping properly, this will save you time and aggravation when installing the mosaic.

When I patch the low spots with thinset, is it worth throwing a small piece of schluter-kerdi membrane over it? That way any water that seeps thru the grout hits the membrane and runs to the drain. If there was no membrane over the patches, I'm afraid the water might settle in the thinset patch.

I've got plenty of membrane sitting around.

Thanks.

 

[Dakota00]

It's not necessary adding another piece of membrane on top. If you are worried about water penetrating to the thinset, use a premium grout like Mapei UltraColor Plus or Laticrete Permacolor. These grouts are water resistant and the water will stay on top and not penetrate through.

 

[branimal]

It's not necessary adding another piece of membrane on top. If you are worried about water penetrating to the thinset, use a premium grout like Mapei UltraColor Plus or Laticrete Permacolor. These grouts are water resistant and the water will stay on top and not penetrate through.

Thanks! I’ve been using the mapei ultra color plus grout so I’m good to go.