Shower Wall Tile Over Drywall

Compare this to the common practice of tiling over drywall and you get the idea that you have a totally different shower by using a product that is meant to function in the shower.

Shower wall tile over drywall.

In areas that are exposed to an abundance of moisture it is better to install a cement board as a backer rather than a gypsum board. The theory being that moisture should never penetrate the waterproofing on the surface. Even a tiny amount of water introduced through a crack or hole in the tile will expand once it hits the moisture hungry paper facing and gypsum core of the drywall. However tiling over tile can add quite a bit of thickness so make sure your wall can handle the weight.

This gives you a visual idea of what the tile will look like. In areas of high moisture such as walls in a shower for long term durability it is not advised to install tile over drywall even if the drywall is type mr moisture resistant. The wedi board wedi shower system includes special bonding agents referred to as wedi caulk though is much more than caulk that waterproofs the seams in the corners as well as the joints where the 3 5 board pieces join together. It takes just a little moisture for drywall s paper facing to disintegrate and turn moldy.

For example schluter approves their kerdi shower systemover drywall in showers. Because paper is an organic product it will quickly become moldy. Even in the best of scenarios the tile and grout will eventually wear down leaving behind a clear route for water to seep through and soak into the drywall. The backer boards are usually around a one half inch thick in both cases.

If you re not sure if you have lead paint test kits are available. How to attach tile to drywall above a shower surround step 1. Wall thickness for most shower walls the drywall installed in the home during the building phase is cut off at the edge of the shower opening and then backer board is installed in place of the drywall in the wet areas. First cover the drywall in a layer of paint on waterproofing that you can apply with a.

You can rough up. Layout your tile pattern on the cardboard template. Measure each proposed tile area above your shower surround and draw a matching to scale outline on a large. Regular drywall regular drywall can be used as a base for tiles in a shower but only as an absolute last resort.

It will be fine to tile over drywall in low moisture areas such as tiling around a fireplace. If you want to update your kitchen or bathroom walls with tiles you don t have to remove existing painted drywall to do so. Tiles are ideal for showers bathtubs and backsplashes. You should not tile over wallpaper glossy surfaces lead paint or plywood.