Advice on master bath project

[cx]

Andrea, in situations like that I favor having the grout joint down the center of the wall and setting my fixed glass down into that joint. No hardware or fasteners of any kind.

My opinion; worth price charged.

[Chel10]

Originally Posted by ss3964spd

IMO, Andrea, if your tile is actually long enough to go from end to end, I'd opt for a single grout line that will hidden by the glass, and the glass will be sealed to the tile with silicone caulk, which will prevent water from getting into the grout. If the grout lines run perpendicular to the glass all those grout lines will allow moisture to migrate through the grout from the wet side to the dry side.

Judging from your last photo the top of that half (pony) wall is going to see a lot of water (as well as that window)

It works to about 2.5 tiles, so it would still be less grout joints in total so that's a bonus. And yes, there is going to be a larger amount of water in this area

Originally Posted by cx

Andrea, in situations like that I favor having the grout joint down the center of the wall and setting my fixed glass down into that joint. No hardware or fasteners of any kind.

Didn't even think of this! I have limited access to glass options in my location, so plan on having a glass installer custom cut and install, but will discuss this with them and if they can accommodate. So if the joint is just on the bottom how would you do this? My only glass is on the half wall with no door

[cx]

I would do both horizontal and vertical edges of the glass using that same method, Andrea. Like thissy here:



I generally finish the inside tile, set the glass, then finish the outside tile. I like the clean look.

My opinion; worth price charged.

[ss3964spd]

Another option, Andrea, is to install some solid surface material (granite, quartz, etc) on the top and end of your half wall, then install the glass on top of that. Make the top and end pieces about 1.5" or so wider than the wall and install them with equal overhangs. Doing so will allow you to install your tile to the back edge of the over hangs, thus avoiding bull nose tiles or other trim pieces.

[Chel10]

Cx, excuse me while my brain explodes! I seriously thought one would have to install a schluter deco support channel for something like that because I couldn't find anything with regards to this. Basically so I understand, install one side of tile, install glass (no thinset or in thinset?), then install other side of tile.... Boom done - then of course silicone...

Dan, thanks for such a great suggestion! I wanted to do this for the increased 'water resistance' without having any grout lines on both the half wall, my bench and the curb, but alas, where I live, I cannot find quartz that I can just purchase. The companies have to come out and do the measuring then they install. Pain in the butt since I work at my pace and coordinating outside help is a tad difficult.

[cx]

I think you understand my method, Andrea. The glass is set on clear plastic "bumpers" directly on the waterproofing membrane. Those are available at the place from which you buy your glass. Come in different shapes and sizes. I usually favor the ones shaped like fat Tiddly-Winks unless thicker ones are necessary to plumb up the side.

I shim the glass away from the inside tile about an eighth of an inch and hold it in place with some temporary wood "stops" until I tile the other side.

Then, yes, a sealant between glass and tile.

My opinion; worth price charged.

[Chel10]

very neat method! Another thing that I find interesting, is you go through all this effort waterproofing your shower...then you put holes in it! That's something I'm trying to accept with the installation of my shower bar and the glass (which may now be avoided )

[cx]

Yeah, a bit ironic to be sure. But holes, hopefully well patched, on the vertical surfaces are usually not a problem. Hell, we been puttin' grat large holes in the walls for shower control valves and shower head pipes and smaller ones for grab bars and whatnot for generations. That part's not so scary, but any penetration of the waterproofing membrane on horizontal surfaces is to be avoided. That is always a known failure just waiting to happen.

My opinion; worth price charged.

[Chel10]

I am learning so much and I appreciate all your guidance. I'm relieved to hear vertical can be drilled into, because I was trying to figure out where I can get appropriate 3M for that. My plan was to drill a hole, fill with kerdifix, screw than silicone. I'm now reconfiguring my layout to accommodate your shower glass technique

[ss3964spd]

For what it's worth, Andrea, I determined the length and width of the wall top and end pieces and gave those measurements to the stone shop. They simply cut and finished the pieces to the measurements I provided. I actually had them cut the pieces a little long so I could trim them to the exact length I needed using my tile saw.

Often times a stone shop will have remnants (cut offs) from a previous job.

[cx]

This is how you install the glass when the inside portion is tiled, Andrea. If you have a glass cup (or two), you can do this yourself. Helpful to have a friend to hold it in place while you tack in the support blocks, but you can likely figger out how to do it all by yourownself if you have the physical capacity to lift the glass into place. Even with all the new technology, I don't think they're making any lightweight glass.

The little red thingees are plastic tile wedges to hold the gap between glass and tile. Doesn't take much. You can't see the plastic bumpers the glass is sitting on, but that's a good thing, eh?

[Chel10]

So I've been emailing the glass guy here in town and he is advising me against installing it with the tile as he indicates that there is a greater chance of leakage. I'm asking him to explain his logic...but don't have too many options in places to custom order glass.

I've actually checked into remnants, but again, not many options in town, and he was the one that said they need to do the cutting, measuring etc. I understand the hesitancy though as I'm sure they've had other DIY'ers get angry at them 'cutting' stuff wrong when it actually was the DIY'ers measurements.

[Chel10]

They got back to me that they do not screw into the tile. What do they say, making assumptions makes an ass out of you? Well, my bad I assumed...

[cx]

Originally Posted by Andrea

I'm asking him to explain his logic...

I'm not seeing any.

Please do pass along the response.

[Chel10]

No logic really was provided, they did say that they only install without screws, so I feel ok outsourcing this task since they are reputable in their installations otherwise.