Posts Tagged ‘ceramic tile’

Installing a Shower Pan Membrane Liner for a Custom Ceramic Tile Shower

April 16th, 2011

Installing a custom ceramic tile shower in your home is something a do it yourself homeowner can do with a little upfront knowledge. The most important aspect of a successful custom ceramic tile shower installation is properly installing a shower pan membrane liner. The shower pan membrane liner is used to ensure a leak-proof shower.

Shower pan membrane liners are used to funnel any water that seeps through the floor or wall grout to the shower drain below. The shower pan membrane liner is made up of a flexible type of plastic material that sits below a bed of mortar, and the tile, in the shower floor area.

Prior to installing the shower pan membrane liner, the floor of the shower needs to be pre-sloped to ensure that the water will flow towards the shower drain assembly. The pre-slope is accomplished by applying a layer of mortar to the floor of the shower unit area. The layer of mortar is troweled in such as way as to create a gentle slope from the shower wall edges to the center of the shower where the drain resides.

Once the pre-slope mortar has cured, the flexible shower pan membrane liner can then be installed. There are a couple of types of shower pan membrane liners on the market, with each having their own benefits. With either type of membrane, the homeowner needs to form and fold the material into the base of the shower area and secure it to the sides of the shower wall frame with staples and/or nails. In addition, an opening in the membrane should be cut out to allow the adjustable shower drain assembly to slip through.

With the shower pan membrane installed, the cementitious ceramic tile backerboard can then be secured to the framed shower walls. The backerboard is a rigid material that is ideal for attaching tile in wet areas such as a shower stall.

After installing the ceramic tile backerboard, a final coat of mortar needs to be applied on top of the membrane to protect it and to provide a solid base for laying the ceramic floor tile.

With the final coat of mortar cured, the ceramic tile can then be installed in the shower.

Once the tile and grout have been installed, the shower drain assembly should be adjusted so that the drain height sits flush with the finished ceramic tile floor.

For more information on installing a shower pan membrane liner, see the Shower Pan Membrane Liner Installation EBook from HomeAdditionPlus.com. The Shower Pan Membrane Liner EBook will quickly teach you the step-by-step process for installing the shower pan membrane liner correctly. It includes instructions on framing the shower stall, pouring the pre-slope and shower base mortar, and installing the shower pan membrane liner.

Ceramic Tile Vs Porcelain

August 24th, 2010

Porcelain tiles are not very different from ceramic tiles. In fact, porcelain tiles are ceramic tiles which are modified in structure. It is therefore interesting to have the comparison of ceramic tile vs porcelain. The comparison reveals a lot which we can take as a worthy lesson.

The first major feature about porcelain tiles is that they do not absorb water at a high rate. Their quality of reduced water absorption makes them very suitable for certain tasks. They are ideal for covering walls and flooring. For the obvious reason, ceramic tiles would not work as well as their porcelain counterparts.

There are various things to consider when choosing a suitable tile material. You want to know that the material is durable so that it can handle all the challenges you meet. The hardness of the material will mainly come up in ceramic tile vs porcelain. It is therefore vital to know what kind of materials make the tiles.

The main material that makes both ceramic and porcelain tiles is clay. There is also a combination of quartz, sand and other ferrous materials. Another vital similarity is the fact that they are both burned at very high temperatures. Because the clay in porcelain tiles is highly purified and much finer, they are more resistant to shocks and impact.

With this fact in mind when faced with the option ceramic tile vs porcelain, you are better informed. Ceramic tiles will usually go well with murals and porcelain goes best where resistance to elements is required like on floors.

Experts constantly throw their weight on the fact that porcelain is suitable for harsh occasions. On the topic of ceramic tile vs porcelain, the former will not be able to withstand this harsh conditions. I’m talking about coverings for outdoor areas where weather changes and temperature variations may erode the weaker material.

Also consider cooler climates where porcelain remains firm and cracks cannot easily occur. Still on ceramic tile vs porcelain, you must consider the price. It is not surprising to know that porcelain tiles are more expensive than ceramic ones. The two kinds of tiles are vital and it depends on what you prefer.

Ceramic tiles are very slippery and this is due to the fact that they are glazed. This makes them the best match for mural applications. Due to their fragile nature, ceramic tiles are more prone to cracking. This in turn creates a great need for them to be protected and handled with at most care.

When faced with the choice of ceramic tile vs porcelain, you must consider whether they are scratch resistant. You will find porcelain made from white clay. You might also find it in red and brown varieties as well. Therefore, make a choice that will all depend on your need and preference.

This information will only guide you to know some vital facts about tiles. The materials are available everywhere and you can get to see the kind of products produced by tiles. You will enjoy them and you will surely get inspired.