Critique a proposed shower wall construction method for tile

[Uga72]

Good afternoon everyone. After browsing this forum for awhile while I have been undertaking a master bath remodel (this site has been great by the way) I thought I'd post a neighbor's recommendation and ask those with more experience than me for their input. I have searched the Liberry and have found great info but no method similar to the one recommended to me by said neighbor.

I am building a 5x6 shower that will have a mud pan, river rock floor and slate walls. My neighbor, who is really a great craftsman and has completely restored his Craftsman style home, told me of his method when he redid both of his bathrooms. everything sounded normal to me EXCEPT when he described the walls. The order was as such:

1. studs
2. 1/2 plywood (for extra tensile strength)
3. felt paper
4. plastic
5. Cement board
6. tile

just curious everyones thought on this. I have no problem adding 1/2 ply to the walls for longevity / durability but I have never seen it done that way. Or even heard of it done that way.

Opinions?

[Dave Taylor]

Assuming the wall studs are 16" on center.......

Ditch the plywood.

Use 1/2" CBU.

Use either felt or plastic but not both.

Does this help, Uga?

[Uga72]

Wow fast reply!

Yeah that's what I thought. The studs are at least 16 on center some are less (old house with old timber so it's shim city).

My thought originally was plastic on the studs and 1/2" CB. I figured that would be plenty but the second guessing game started so I thought I'd get a few with more experience at tiling to settle me down before I built a bomb shelter.

Thanks DT

[jadnashua]

If you really want to blow his mind, use drywall and cover it with Kerdi. See www.schluter.com and watch their video. No plastic, no roofing felt, Kerdi is waterproof, and instead of it being behind the wall, it's right underneath the tile, so the whole thing dries out much quicker and is less prone to molding.

Sometimes it is just easier to scab a new stud along side of the existing ones rather than trying to shim them straight. Consider steel studs...nice and straight!, especially if you are going with Kerdi.