Accessible bathroom with Curbless shower

[smifwal]

All depends on the size of the space and the size of the panels. I will use a 4x8 if I have a 4x3x8 shower where there is essentially no waste. Let's say I got a 3Wx5Wx8H I will run the panel vertically 5' on 2 sides then I will run the panels for the space above the 5' horizontally and the 5' wall horizontally all seams landing on studs

[PC7060]

I didn’t see the specification for the thickness of the USG band versus the sheet material. Thinking about buying extra roll of the sheet to use for custom size banding as required.

CX, I’ve read a few of your posts that describe the USG material as being much easier to work with than the orange competition. Have you found the USG banding to be more workable than the standard USG sheet?

[ss3964spd]

No extra blocking, but my stud spacing was pretty tight. I used a USG foam pan for the shower floor, which got covered with their membrane, which got tied to the bottom of the foam boards with USG 5" band (except for the Kerdi pre-formed inside corners at the bottom). No blocking where the foam met the DW at the top.

As my shower is approx. 42"X83" I, after considerable searching, found and used their 4X8 panels.

The USG banding material is identical to their sheet material. I have no experience with the orange stuff but I did find the USG material pretty easy to work with. I wouldn't say creasing it was a "challenge" but you do still need to work at it a bit. I'll take it on cx's word that it creases easier than Kerdi.

Oddly, the USG pre-formed corners are NOT of the same material as their band and sheet, they are thicker, and I can confirm they are thicker than the Kerdi pre-formed corners. Both are similarly priced.

[cx]

PC, the USG banding material is simply strips of the very same material as the membrane. Still thinner than the Kerdi band. As for thickness, you might look at post #30 in this old thread. The USG membrane measures at the advertised thickness of .012 inches as opposed to the actual measurements of Kerdi and Kerdi Band, which I measured at nowhere close to the manufacturer's advertised thicknesses. Kerdi Band measures much thicker than the USG membrane.

I tried the USG pre-formed corners on the shower I did as one of the first online demos of the product, but would not purchase or use them again. As Dan points out, they are not of the same material as the membrane and are substantially thicker and furrier and I didn't like them at all. My understanding is that they (designers of the product) just couldn't find a way to make the pre-formed corners using the membrane material.

Fortunately, the membrane folds so well into corners that I don't feel the need for them as I might with Kerdi. A dab of pookey in the "vortex" corners in critical applications might make a fella feel better, though.



My opinion; worth price charged.

[PC7060]

Good feedback on the materiel Dan/CX! I hated the bulky corners when doing the Kerdi shower. I've got $50 worth of USG corners in the cart, I'll remove 'em and buy another roll of the sheet material.

[cx]

If you really think you must have pre-formed corners, PC, I see no reason not to buy Kerdi corners to use with your USG membrane. But, again, I really don't see the need for those corners with the USG membrane at all.

My opinion; worth price charged.

[PC7060]

CX - I'm planning to make fold corners as a test. If I'm not happy with the results, I'll pick up some Kerdi Corners at Homers.

[PC7060]

Originally Posted by USG

Drive fasteners into field of panels first, working toward ends and edges. [...] Space fasteners maximum 8” o.c. for walls, with perimeter fasteners at least 3/8” and less than 5/8” from ends and edges.

The Ultralight foam board PDF document is a bit thin on the screw schedule but it appears the the schedule is the same for screws in the field as the edges.

Did you put adhesive or the USG sealant behind the boards to fill voids etc??

Ran the numbers for the required screw count at 8” spacing; around 200 per shower.

[smifwal]

Originally Posted by PC

. Did you put adhesive or the USG sealant behind the boards to fill voids etc??

you mean like when you glue and screw/nail drywall? If so no.

[ss3964spd]

I didn't use adhesive, PC, but I see no reason why one couldn't. I think their sealant would be ill suited for that application though, something with a heavier body would be better - and cheaper.

[PC7060]

Order my two bundles (14 sheets) of OSG 1/2" 3'x5' foam board along with two rolls of the fabrics, couple drains and so forth. Not sure when I'll complete close-in inspection but I'll be ready for the showers when it happens!

Got a good price from Contractors Direct plus a 5% discount (just because I guess). Looked for their link on the JB site to click through but didn't see it, too bad.

[Mdsims]

I added some 1x_ scrap material behind the unsupported horizontal spans (between stud bays) and screwed them to each upper and lower foam panel. Hard to describe, but the blocking didn't span the whole 14.5" bay, just cut them ~10" wide and added two screws into them from each panel, it's really just edge protection as your taping the seams and building the rest of the shower, and really helped pull the face of the adjacent foam boards into the same plane. I only did it at any seam that landed from knee to shoulder height. Very happy I did it, while not expressly called for in the manual.

As for rigidity, it stiffens up A TON once the seams are mudded/taped. I used 4x12 tile, and don't have any flex.

I used the preformed corners, and liked them, especially in the lower inside pan corners. Agree they thicken up a lot when using multiples, but I enjoyed the peace of mind. Next time, I'd skip them on outside corners with any elevation over the pan, and make my own. The roll of sheet material is very nice to work with.

And yes, the recommended spacing blows through screws, FAST!! Had to order more mid-job.

[Mdsims]

Contractors direct is a great vendor, I used them a bunch too and got a few free long sleeve tee's out of it on the higher dollar orders. Fast shipping, great prices.

[PC7060]

Thanks for the tips Matt. Yeah, thinking I’ll probably end up a few screws short but that’s the story of my life!!

[PC7060]

The shipment from contractors direct arrived on Saturday, 2 days after ordering. I was surprised that the OSG board is a good bit heavier than the Kerdi board. Still have a ways to go before close-in inspection so the board will have to wait.