Kerdi Shower

[Woodturner]

I am considering using the Kerdi shower system but I am concerned about the Styrofoam base. I watched a video that showed that the base would flex and the tile would break has anyone had any issues using the Styrofoam base.

[jgleason]

The base, when properly installed, is just fine. If you are worried about it, do a mud base and cover with Kerdi.

[jadnashua]

The foam is quite dense. The only possible issue I can see is someone standing in there in high-heels with small tile. The pan must be on a flat floor, and properly bedded. If this is an issue, the floor tile don't seem to get as cold as it typically feels if the pan is made with a normal drypack.

The foam curb might look and feel wimppy, but one guy I talked with tried to kick one out before tiling (as an experiment), and couldn't without hurting his booted foot. I know that trying to move one once you've set it in thinset is VERY difficult and bascially becomes nearly impossible once it cures.

[crosby1]

yeah, but be careful about stepping or kneeling on the curb once you've got it installed and are tiling the rest of the shower.

i have some areas along the edges of the curb that are now dented in from where i kneeled on it when working on the other parts of the shower. the membrane's not ripped at all, it just seems a little "loose" in places...i guess i just wasn't expecting this to happen so i didn't pay much attention to it while i was working.

i'm getting ready to tile over the curb and i'm hoping this isn't going to be a problem...anybody??

[kerdibird]

Cut the kerdi, add thinset under the loose sections, patch with the membrane, tile. Assuming the dents are that bad there wont be much build up.

[Woodturner]

I purchased the Kerdi Schluter shower system but I am havening trouble finding a good unmodified thinset. Reading on the forums here I see some are using kerabond, versabond, and a few others.

I will be using dora travertine that is a shade lighter than darango travertine any help on which thinset I should use would be a great help. The cost does not matter so which ever is the best I do not like having to redo jobs.

[Mike2]

What brands are you able to find? If Mapei is one, then I'd recommend Kerabond. Or, come up with another brand/manufacturer and we'll can recommend something else.

[Woodturner]

I can find Mapei. Is Kerabond a white or gray thinset I have been under the impression from reading these forums that natural stone should be set with white thinset except for slate which can be set with either.

[Mike2]

Kerabond comes in both white and grey. For travertine, I'd go with white.

[Woodturner]

Which grout would be best for Travertine with 1/16 inch grout lines using mapei grout. Opticolor, Ultracolor or Keracolor.

[kerdibird]

Keracolor. Ultracolor has had a few bad batches. Had to send in a grout sample to the Mapei lab. Costs too, but they paid for the redo.

[Woodturner]

Well my wife has changed her mind on the travertine, she wants the travertine look but using porcelain and epoxy grout for the easiest maintenance...I have read several post on here about spectralock grout and it sounds like what I need to use your opinions would be very useful to me because you are the ones who use it the most...

I also have found a dealer for laticrete and mapei and was wondering which thinset would be best for kerdi and porcelain tile...

Then which would be best for cement backer board...

[Tool Guy - Kg]

Hi Mike,

I'd stick with the Kerabond if it were my choice.

Porcelain and epoxy is a good combo. But realize you need to use a high quality flexible sealant (like urethane or 100% silicone) in the corners to allow for slight movement of the walls.

Backerboard is kinna a preference thing. If you don't want to use drywall as Schluter recommends, just pick one. I happen to prefer Durock. Another is going to prefer Hardibacker, etc.....



By the way, what kind of turning are you interested in?

[Woodturner]

I finished the mud floor in the shower but the drain does not feel tight, I can slide it out of the bed and the bed is the exact form of the drain, is this normal or do I need to do something to hold it is place.

[sandbagger]

the drain should not move once it's embedded in the mud floor. How long did you wait before testing it?