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Shower Waterproofing Crash Course: Navigating through 4 different methods
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How to Install GoBoard Tile Backer Board | Video
How to Install GoBoard Tile Backer Board It’s time to work on DIY’ing your tile shower and you’re not looking forward to working with the dreaded cement board again. It’s dusty, crumbly, and hard to start screws into. Not to mention how heavy it is. Sure, there are waterproof foam backer boards on the market […]
Tips & Tricks
Silicone Caulk: How to Caulk a Bathtub or a Shower
Silicone Caulk: How to Caulk a Shower or Bathtub The problem: If you’ve ever tried caulking with 100% silicone caulk you are well aware of how frustrating it can be. First of all it can create a huge mess, be almost impossible to clean up, and can make your shower look uglier than before you started. […]
The trick for getting better thinset coverage under your tiles
The trick for getting better thinset coverage under your tiles I’ve worked with some fussy tile setters in the past. Everything has to be a particular way with them. The boxes of tile have to be opened a certain way, their spacers have to be positioned just so, and their tools have to be organized […]
How to Modify your Recessed Foam Shower Niche
The Ultimate Guide to Building a Preformed Recessed Shower Niche Part 3: How to Modify your Recessed Foam Shower Niche In this post we cover: Situations where you would consider modifications A technique to check if your foam niche is still waterproof Method and tools to customize a foam shower niche Staying out of trouble […]
Waterproofing
5 signs your new tile shower will leak
What to look for in proper tile shower construction You’ve hired someone to build your tile shower in your bathroom, but how do you know he or she’s doing it correctly? How do you know that you won’t have an upstairs shower leaking into your downstairs kitchen? Most homeowners don’t know all the in’s and […]
How to Design a Preformed Foam Recessed Shower Niche
The Ultimate Guide to Building a Preformed Recessed Shower Niche Part 1: Planning and Layout In this post we discuss: What types of prefab recessed shower niches are out there Which preformed shampoo niches are best Shower niche design ideas Why you should plan for a shower insert before you install any tile How […]
Tile Backer Board Breakdown
Which Shower Tile Backer board is best? I often get questions on what sort of tile backer board to use for showers and tub surrounds. When it comes to installing tile backer board the easiest to install is usually the worst choice or most expensive option. The types that are the most difficult to install […]
Tutorial
Building a Custom Shower Niche from Scratch
The Ultimate Guide to Building a Preformed Custom Recessed Shower Niche Part 4: Building a Custom Shower Niche from Scratch This post covers: Cement board, foam board, and Hardibacker Cutting into wall framing Waterproofing LOTS of photos! Sometimes there’s no good way around it. Building your own custom recessed shower niche from scratch can be […]
How to Build a Recessed Shampoo Shelf
The Ultimate Guide to Building a Preformed Recessed Shower Niche Part 2 Building, Installing, and Tiling a Recessed Shampoo Shelf In this post we discuss: How to cut an inset niche into the wall What tools to use to build the recessed shampoo shelf Blocking (framing) for a recessed niche How to make sure your […]
Bathroom Floor Tile Layout in 5 Easy Steps
Bathroom Floor Tile Layout It seems like a simple project- a small bathroom floor. You’ve picked out your tile at the local box store along with a few supplies and your ready to go. The problem is: Where do you start? See my previous post on tile layout concepts and why this layout was chosen. […]
Tile Installation Products
Ceramic Tile Trends 2016
Ceramic Tile Trends 2016 Today’s tiles are much different than when I first got into the trade. Gone are the 4 inch white ceramic tiles that were in every home. Tile has come a long way and it looks like it has much further to go. Here’s the overall ceramic tile trends that I […]
What kind of grout do I need? Stain Proof edition
Stain Proof grouts I know what you are thinking: Stainproof grout has over-promise and under-deliver written all over it. But these grouts are the best performing grouts when it comes to absorbency. They’re not cementitious so they don’t fade over time, they don’t need to be sealed, they are color consistent, and non-porous. […]
Tile Backer Board Breakdown
Which Shower Tile Backer board is best? I often get questions on what sort of tile backer board to use for showers and tub surrounds. When it comes to installing tile backer board the easiest to install is usually the worst choice or most expensive option. The types that are the most difficult to install […]