Subway tile for wainscoting? Need something water proof.

[SteveL]

I have a floor drain and hot/cold water in one bay of my garage and looking to do something on the lower half of the exterior wall to deal with over spray when washing in the winter. First thought was to use subway tile on the lower half but open to other options. Would like the finished look to be somewhat old looking as I'm not in to the ultra clean/modern look.

Anyone have any ideas and images that can inspire me?

Thanks!

 

[pitterpat]

I have a floor drain and hot/cold water in one bay of my garage and looking to do something on the lower half of the exterior wall to deal with over spray when washing in the winter. First thought was to use subway tile on the lower half but open to other options. Would like the finished look to be somewhat old looking as I'm not in to the ultra clean/modern look.

Anyone have any ideas and images that can inspire me?

Thanks!

For tile, any tile to be waterproof you would have to waterproof the wall first; the tile alone will not make it waterproof. To waterproof the wall you could use a roll on liquid solution or a fabric membrane. Then put your tile up using thinset not a premixed organic mastic.

 

[jweller]

+1 for waterproofing the wall. Redguard over Durock would be my choices, but there are a lot of other equivalent products that will work great.

 

[SteveL]

Forgot to mention that if I go the tile route, I would remove the drywall and replace with Greenboard which is much more water resistent.

 

[Jay_mc1]

I would recommend dairy barn panels. I'm not sure what the real name of it is, but that's what people around here call it. It's a thin plastic sheet that is often put on the insides of barns and comes in 4x8 sheets. Or find a cool pattern sheet vinyl and put it on the wall in that area. A hard wood floor pattern or stone pattern would look pretty cool.

 

[Jefflitzy]

Another option is metal siding

 

[theoldwizard1]

Forgot to mention that if I go the tile route, I would remove the drywall and replace with Greenboard which is much more water resistent.

Greenboard is fine, but I would still be somewhat concerned about water wicking its way between the floor and the first wall tile. Use a cove base tile and leave at least a 1/4" gap at the bottom for silicon bath caulk. Even then I hope you have PT sill plate behind it because it will get damp.

 

[SteveL]

There is a concrete ledge about 2"-3" high at the wall base that would also be covered with tile so the Greenboard would actually be up off the floor but would plan on caulking well anyway.

 

[BlindViper]

I would recommend dairy barn panels. I'm not sure what the real name of it is, but that's what people around here call it. It's a thin plastic sheet that is often put on the insides of barns and comes in 4x8 sheets. Or find a cool pattern sheet vinyl and put it on the wall in that area. A hard wood floor pattern or stone pattern would look pretty cool.

FRP "fiber reinforced panels"
I personally would use FRP or stainless.

 

[marley2984]

if it were me I would use t1-11. unpainted it looks old and rustic. Just top it with 1x stock for a finished edge. Rip panel in half and get 8' of coverage for around $25.. can't beat that.

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

Subway tile is a good, and affordable, old school looking choice. Maybe consider a trim option for the top course or at least bull nose.

Regardless, as you said, remove the drywall but do not use green board -it is water resistant, not water proof. I have replace may ruined, moldy tiles jobs in bathrooms because they were laid onto green board. Instead put a layer of 6 mill poly then go with 1/2 inch cement board. Just make sure your studs are a minimum of 16" o.c.

 

[darkk]

Your local Home Depot should carry 3/8'x4'x8' azek panels. Waterproof and already white and is made from pvc. It can be painted but not necessary. Just silicone the seams...done!
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...Id=-1&keyword=azek&storeId=10051#.ULdPWWc0iSo

 

[Jeffksf]

I used PVC wainscotting panels in my bathroom, bought them at HD. Its a system and comes with PVC bottom molding and top rail.

 

[Red05GT]

Definately use Durock or equal and not Green board for substrate. Lowes had the subway
tiles for .22 each.

 

[Macgyver_ga]

For a tile job to be "waterproof", Use durock or Hardibacker and apply a waterproofing membrane (Redgard or Laticrete Hydroban). You can also use regular drywall and Schluter Kerdi membrane, then apply the tile over that with your thinset.

What about a sheet of lexan or plexiglass sealed up with some silicon along the seams? If you're just worried about a little overspray, then doing the tile is not going to be cost effective for your purpose since it's not going to see a contstant stream of water.