About remodeling a shower.?

Question

I have plywood and tile on my shower now; and the tile is coming loose and falling off. Moisture is rotting the plywood. Is the cheapest way to remodel the shower is to put up greenboard and merlite. One wall is cinder block 1/2 way up and framed to the ceiling on top of the cinderblock with wood. Would greenboard and merlite be feasible and cheapest to go with?

Answer 1

Do not use green board. The use of green board was discontinued after it was discovered that it creates a mold problem. It is against code in alot of places to use this in bathrooms anymore. Remove the plywood, (what were they thinking?!?!?),and other material down to the furring stips and studs. Replace with a cement based wall board like durarock. Its available at most home improvement stores. Usually costs around $10 - $15 per 4' x 8' x 1/2" sheet. It is made of concrete so it will not absorb moisture and makes a great backing for tile installation. There is no taping joints, just cut to size and screw to furring strips or studs. Install your tile right to it with a polymer fortified mortar. This is the best professional method used.

Answer 2

You obviously already know the answer. Check for mold before sealing it into the wall with greenboard. Merlite has a very limited lifespan. Check with your building materials supplier before using it.

Answer 3

No, you can't tile over the plastic. Your tiles will pop off if you try to get them to adhere to such a smooth, nonporous surface such as hard plastic. You want to tile onto a cement backer board such as Durock. You can tile over sheetrock, although it's not a good idea in a shower. It won't cost much to do it right, just put Durock over the plastic, screwed into the studs. If the plastic walls of the shower are molded (contain soap dishes and such), then just cut them off a few inches above the height of the tub. The Durock the walls, lapping the Durock over the few inches of plastic you left above the tub. Then use thinset mortar (available premixed at any bog box store) to affix the tile to the Durock. You can use mastic instead of thinset mortar, but many people will advise against using mastic in wet areas. I've never had a problem with it myself, but the rule of thumb is that shower tile should get thinset, not mastic.

Answer 4

For a shower, greenboard is the only way to go, I'm surprised someone used plywood for the shower.

Answer 5

At all cost - avoid tile - it requires constant maintenance. Go to a Bathroom Specialty shop and they will show you Plastic Surround showers that are easy to keep clean and maintenance free. Get one that has a built in shelf for Soap.

Answer 6

That should work. be sure to put a vapor barrier (tyvek, etc.) between the block and greenboard.

Answer 7

For a more longterm solution, you might consider installing a cement backer board and then installing man-made cultured marble panels.

Answer 8

showers are not that big so you should use hardiboard or backerboard, green board is o.k., but best for the walls in a bathroom or kictchen because it fights off mold.

Answer 9

Hell No! if that other sh** didn't work u know that ain't u better let someone else do it son, and it will be worth it make sure there contracted . if not , u can't sue them if they f*** it up. if they are , they will have to do it over. if they say no. ( take them to court )
simple as that

Answer 10

the right way ! wet board and that Cment wall too!