Flooring Tile - Ceramic Tile on Ceiling

I am going to be tiling my Bathroom ceiling, since I have not done this in the past I am looking for advice. I have read sites that state that you should us 15 lb felt over top of the drywall first, then backer board. But these were in a small shower enclosure. My bathroom ceiling will be approx. 85 sqft with an open shower, total bathroom reno. Do I need to use the felt for the entire area, then backer board ? Do I even need to use backer board or is the drywall sufficient? What is the largest tile size I should consider? What is better thinset or masic? Is there any web site that could answer all my questions? I just don't want a tile dropping on my head during or after installation.

Thanks for any help

Brad

Open shower as in the bath is one huge wet room? 85 sf is a very large shower. Describe in a bit more deatail. Anyway, in the shower area, you need a floor pitched 1/4" per foot as measured from the furthest point from the drain, Then you need a liner installed up the walls about 8", and joined to a 2 part clamping ring drain. You will need roofing felt or 6 mill poly over the studs and then cement board for all areas subject to direct water. On your ceiling, plasic, then sheetrock or cement board. You must use unfaced insulation behind any areas where cement board is protected by a vapor barrier.

Tell you what, given the size of the area you've got and the amount of cement that would be piled on that structure, you really need to use Kerdi membrane. This will eliminate the need for 2 layers of mud. Do the 1/4" per foot slope to the drain and thibset Kerdi over the entire floor and down to the Kerdi drain. Use regular sheetrock on the walls everywhere-no greenboard at all, and thinset the Kerdi over your walls as well. Check out the details on Kerdi http://www.schluter.com/english/products/2002/sectionf/kerdi/801-index.html and the Kerdi drain http://www.schluter.com/english/products/2002/sectionf/kerdidrain/802-index.html and then post back with a clearer design description, shower dimensions, curb-no curb, etc.

The shower will be 3' X 5' installed in a corner, with a 5' glass wall on on side; and open at the entrance with a 4" curb. There will also be a curb under the glass wall. I have looked at the Kerdi kits and plan on using the 3' x 5' kit.
This bathrom will be a combination of an existing main bathroom 10' x 6' and an uncompleted ensuite 8' x 5', so actually approx. 100 sqft. The 8' wall separating the two rooms will be removed. There will be a jetted tub 3' x 5.5' on the 10' wall along with the sink and vanity. The toilet will be between the two windows on the 11' wall. The positions of the tub, toilet and vanity may still be changed. Once the wall is knocked down it may look different then on paper.
The entire ceiling and floor will be tiled. The "how to tile the ceiling" is my problem, in which I could use help.

Thanks

Brad

comb thinset over the back of the tile and make a continuous rim of thinset around it. This will have a suction cup effect and hold it in place. If you hear a sucking sound, the rim was not continuous and air is filling in so pry it off or move outta the way.

So what you are saying is that I apply the thinset to the back of the tile and not the ceiling! Will I need to put Backer Board over the entire ceiling?

Brad

What type and size tile are you planning on using on the ceiling?:)

You may have to add more bracing first.:)

I was planning on either a 12" x12" ceramic 1/4" tile or a 6" x 6" ceramic 1/8" tile. I have not purchased the tile yet until I find out the best one to use. I know the 12" x 12" is a floor tile and weighs more, but I think it would look better than the thinner 6" x 6" wall tile. I just think the smaller tile would make look more like a gym shower room. I would appreciate any ideas on tile type and size.

Brad

If you really want to go clean off, you could break up some tiles and set them on the celling. less weight to worry about,& if you take your time and set them right looks pretty cool