installing tile on a wall

[dhopely]

Hello,
I,m thinking about installing 12X24 ceramic tile on a full wall, 12 ft. wall 8 ft. high, going around a fire place insert. I was wondering if I should remove the drywall and install durock or can I go over the existing sheetrock. Just wondering if the wall will support that much weight with just the sheetrock.
Any advise would be great!
Thank You

[Bill Vincent]

You're fine to go over the sheetrock. One thing to think about, though--- I just did one, and the homeowner forgot to put in mandatory wall vents right above the unit, and I had to go back and cut them in. Don't forget the vents!!

Edit-- almost forgot to show the progress pic, so you could see it WAS over sheetrock. :-) One thing-- especially if you're using large format tile, make sure the wall is flat, or you're going to have issues. That's the reason for the mortar patches in the pic. Also the reason we wrapped the doorway. Originally it was going to be just the wall, but because there was such a bow in the wall right next to the door, the only way to hid it was to float, tile, it, and then return the tile in the doorway, to hide the difference in the gap behind the tile. It went from being tight to the wall at the bottom, to a half inch in the middle, and back to tight at the top.

[dhopely]

Thanks Bill! That looks amazing! Did you use regular modified thinset?

[Bill Vincent]

Laticrete 255 Non sag

[evan1968]

I recognize that wall Bill!!
Nice job! Thanks for taking it on.

[jadnashua]

It is not uncommon to have the installer skimp on screws holding the drywall up! It does make a difference.

It's common to use drywall mud and tape on the seams, and to have those seams high, creating a slight hump. When tiling, it's best to not have that, and use alkali resistant tape and the thinset to tie the sheets together (it's easier to do while tiling, otherwise, you may create speedbumps!).

But, thinset does bond quite well onto drywall (not as much on drywall mud if it came from a bucket, rather than one that was mixed from a powder).

The only issue may be clearance to the fireplace insert...you have to read the instructions carefully.