thickness of mud on shower dam?

[Joediamond]

I am ready to attempt my tile shower floor and I need to know how thick the mud should be on the dam. I already have the floor tiles and I want the finished width of the dam to be 5 inches( the width of two complete tiles). The book I'm reading shows the dam made of 2x4's. My tile is metric but close to half an inch thick. Three and a half inches for the 2x and another inch for the tiles leaves me only a half inch for two sides of cement. How thick should the cement be? I can rip the 2x's narrower if need be to come out at five inches. Appreciate any advice that readers can give me.
Thanks,

Joe

[davem]

Hi Joe, I think the mud needs to be at least 1/2" thick on each side. Any thinner than that and it will lose strength. I built my curb out with a 2x6 on edge. That leaves plenty of room for mud in your case. Have you read John's curb articles in the Liberry?

[Davy]

Hi Joe and welcome. If the shower has a jamb, make the curb the same width. Dave's shower curb goes to the wall on both sides (nice shower Dave) and doesn't have a jamb. 1/2 inch is about right for the mud but can go alittle thinner or thicker if needed.

[John Bridge]

I wouldn't go any thinner than a half inch. I'm an older mud man than Davy, so I can contradict him. He has to respect his elders.