I am buying materials for the shower pan and all the other things I need but am not sure what thickness of cement board to use for the shower walls. I am covering it with tile, if that matters. Thanks
Use Hardibacker and seal the seams with tape and thinset. Use thinset to set the tile using 1/4 spacers. I have used and recommend that you use a tile sealer to seal the slate prior to grouting and to use epoxy grout. The grout is more difficult to install but requires no sealers which need to be redone at least once a year in a shower and is well worth the initial time and effort. Be sure to read and follow the directions on the grout bags to ensure a uniform color and good grout set. MT C
Use Aquapanel Water Resistant Backing Board. It is suitable for showers and tiling. Obtainable from large DIY stores or builders' merchants eg Wickes, Jewsons Homebase etc. Size: 1200 x 900 x 12.5mm Price: around ?14 a panel
you can install the orange sheets on the walls, over the cement board (using mortar), and install the floor pan over cement board with mortar as well. when done correctly, its 100% water tight. it even comes with a curb which you can tile over. its a great system, the floor pan is already sloped towards the drain in the centre. it would not be worth it to do a shower without it. if you do it this way, it will last and you will not risk mould or rot.
Stick with wonderboard or durock. While kerdi is a great product, you have to do it exactly right or you can have some major problems. 1/2 wonderboard, attached with galvanized roofing nails, use fiberglass tape and thinset on the seams and the corners.
