Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Shower project

Hi all,

First post. I was reading another thread by Tilebri, similar situation as I am in. The recommendation was to sheetrock all the way down to the baseplate, then put in the shower pan, then kerdi, then tile. Something like that.

I get home and various relations have started a shower project for me. DensShield walls (not properly sealed), and the shower pan (this is a molded unit, finish is similar to Corian, maybe 5" deep, has a 1/4" thick ~flange on top, 1" high) is sitting up against the Denshield. My limited understanding is the pan (I hope I am calling this the right thing) should go up against the studs, and then you CBU down to about an 1/8" above the flange. Then Kerdi, then tile, so that your kerdi moisture barrier is slightly out from the pan flange top, and hanging down over it the inch or so it is tall, to about an 1/8" over the finished part of the pan wall, this 1/8" joint is then caulked.

I was going to try to get there from here by cutting out some DensShield on 2 sides, scooting the pan up against the studs, then add two layers of it on the 3rd side. (And other threads advise as to how to work from DensShield to Kerdi - use modified thinset and let it dry plenty long. Then usual straight thinset to tile.)

But now I see Tilebri works from here ... looking for details / comments. The plumbing would be easier if I don't move the pan, etc. And for family relations it would be better not to have to redo work done in good faith.

Thanks

Ray

Ray

Its a good idea to start your own thread.

I hope you didnt get this idea to use kerdi with densshield here. Not a good idea at all. Go to the GP website and read about dennshield. They have installation instructions that will give you the info you need.:)

Created a thread for your post.

But now I see Tilebri works from here

I AM EVERYWHERE :cool:

Pull out the denshield, fur out the studs and replace with regular sheetrock. You can leave the pan where it is. But, before all of that, you need to pacify the family for all their work that is getting torn out. You don't want to stack layers of denshield and I hope they did not install a moisture barrier behind it and I hope there are no walls behind the enclosure with faced insulation.

You do that by praising them up and down, tell them it's perfect. Then sit back and re-read the instructions for the Kerdi and say "oh $#!&, I don't know if denshield will work because these instructions say regular sheetrock" Then do your research and tell them you have to redo it, all the while acting ticked off at yourself for not knowing this first and telling them. Apologize up and down. Then roll up your sleeves and get to work. You want modified to install the Kerdi to the sheetrock and unmodified to set your tile to the Kerdi. Nothing from a bucket. While your walls are open, think about adding a niche instead of installing soap dishes.

You will need to use Kerdifix to securethe Kerdi to the shower pan flange.

You can get preformed niches at www.noblecompany.com and once installed, you can also use the Kerdifix to secure the Kerdi to the edge of the niche. Lastly, if you want a bench in there, look at "betterbench" from innovis. Their site www.innoviscorp.com has a dealer locator.

Thanks Mark and Johnny,

The GP site does have good info and DensShield does seem like a pretty good product. http://www.gp.com/build/product.aspx?pid=4684

And yes, I did not get the brilliant idea of adding a layer of Kerdi onto DensShield here... some where else. Thanks for saving me from finding out too late that is not workable. Is the problem that there is no way for the thinset to get rid of its water to dry / bond if trapped between two layers of plastic? Is that true even of non-modified thinset? Do all thinsets have to dry to some degree?

Ray

I think this was the best of the posts on the subject of Kerdi over DensShield:

http://www.floorstransformed.com/ceramic-tile-forum/2006/schluter-shower-tray-amp-dens-sheild-on-walls-24231.html

(And just a little overlap area, not covering the whole thing as I was considering.)

Good solutions (and family therapy), Tilebri.