Building steam shower- advice

[Sportsman]

HI all,
I am looking to do a steam shower and have some questions. I have been reading this site for a month but still confused. A friend says for a S/shower just use wonderboard/cbu with no kerdi - is this correct.
Do I need a pan liner - pvc - If I use Kerdi liner on a mud deck?
What is the best product to use behind Kerdi on walls and ceiling.
Insulation in walls - y/n
vapor barrier ?
THanks lots
Dwayne

[Mike2]

Hi Dwayne.

I'm going to do a "Copy"/"Paste" right out of the TCA Handbook, Steam Room section.

• Steam rooms require a waterproofing membrane on all surfaces to prevent moisture from penetrating adjoining spaces.

• Insulation on walls and ceilings to reduce moisture condensation at temperature variations.

• Slope ceilings (2" per ft. minimum) to avoid condensation from dripping onto occupants (sometimes sloped to center to minimize rundown on walls).

• Install open slip joints in all corners between walls and ceilings.

Schluter recommends wallboard behind Kerdi. Others around here have placed Kerdi over backerboard. And right, no PVC pan liner on the floor with the Kerdi system.

[Sportsman]

Thanks Mike
So to my understanding Kerdi is the best barrier. It will work over benches & niches? Explain slip joints?
Dwayne

[JJC]

expansion joint or slip joint, it allows for the expansion of the inside of the steam shower. Believe me it does expand and move. You'r creating a very large temp. change in that area. try this link for a pic. It's a "Dilex EKE"
http://www.schluter.com/english/prod...413-index.html

[Mike2]

Slip joint between wall and ceiling: This would be a narrow gap/space between these two adjoining surfaces, think of it as an expansion joint (slip joint) that is caulked with a sealant allowing for some independent movement.

I'll see if I can add a picher...back in a flash (I hope).

Edit P.S.

[Sportsman]

Thanks for the drawing. GREAT - But do you put anything in the expantion joint - Or just leave a gap and cover /fill with silicon.
Dwayne

[Mike2]

Drawing, cut and paste out of the TCA manual Dwayne - but Ill take credit for the red lines.

You could stuff some foam strips or backer-rod in there. We're not talking about a major gap here, 1/8" to 1/4" is all.

[Sportsman]

Hi all
I am undertaking a steam shower project, Starting to gut it today. Need some on going advice in the process. If I use CBU ( wonderboard) do I need to seal it with redgaurd or Kerdi? I am leaning towards Kerdi and regular drywall. I have a procedure list - give me your thought of the order things should be in.
1 - Gut bathroom
2 - replace window
3 - move electrical - lights/fan
4 - build sloped ceiling frame work in shower
5 - build benches (2 in shower-slope tops)
6 - Build curb - 2x4,felt,lathe
7 - rough in plumbing - drain etc
8 - insulate walls,ceiling & vapor barrier w/poly
9 - hang drywall & tape
10- Kerdi shower walls
11- put in mud floor - leave expansion joint?
12- Kredi floor
13 - tile
Have I missed anything
Dwayne

[Mike2]

Dwayne, I'm no steam shower expert but it looks like you have a combination of Kerdi and CBU shower construction techniques in your plan that needs correction. Example, a poly vapor barrier is used in a conventional CBU shower but not with Kerdi. Felt and lathe on the curb is again used with a CBU/liner shower but not with Kerdi.

I wouldn't put a window in a steam shower.

[bbcamp]

Actually, no vapor barrier is needed in either case. Steam showers get waterproofed with a surface membrane, either Kerdi or something like redgard.

[Sportsman]

I have 1 out side wall in the steam shower i am building - do I put a ploy vapor barrier on all walls & ceiling or just outside wall. I am using Kerdi

[cx]

I've merged all your threads for this project together, Dwayne. Please keep all your questions here to prevent confusion and duplication.

That question's been answered before, for example. You don't want a vapor barrier behind the wall board on a shower that has a waterproof membrane (Kerdi) on the inside.

In your climate, if you use a vapor barrier on the inside of the exterior stud walls as a matter of course, you might wanna consider moving the steam shower away from the outside wall and building a separate wall for it.

But in any case, you wanna insulate it very well and you don't want a vapor barrier (retarder) behind the shower wall board.

My opinion; worth price charged.

[Sportsman]

Thanks CX
Just learning posting
I can't move away from out side wall, I now understand curb process I think- use 2x4 to build, cover with drywall & Kerdi. I am at the point of framing niche, benches & ceiling - compleate. Fan installed & moving to rough in plumbing. Wife wants to put in a corner toilet. has any one used one and where does the flange situate.
Dwayne

[Sportsman]

Well, shower is at the drywall stage.
plumbing is roughed in, benches are built, 3/4" plywood on floor, shower is dry walled & taped. mud floor & curb goes in this week and then I am hanging Kerdi. then tiling. have I missed anything. All advice on Kerdi hanging is greatly appriciated. I am planing framless glass door - no transom - your thoughts.
Dwayne

[Sportsman]

How do I post pictures