Preparation for Tiling a Shower Surround

Moisture Barrier

• A moisture barrier is one of the most important aspects of a tile installation for showers and tubs. The most basic type is a layer of plastic sheeting behind the substrate, between it and the wall studs. The sheet is tacked in place with staples on the studs, and then the substrate is installed on top of it. The sheeting is allowed to run long and installed all the way down into the shower pan.

Waterproof Substrate

• There are a number of waterproof substrates on the market that have a built-on waterproof coating on one side of the product. These are meant to be installed in place of drywall or concrete boards. Once they are installed, the interior corners and any screw holes are covered with silicone caulk to create an impenetrable layer of protection on top of the substrate that the tile can be installed directly onto.

Waterproof Membrane

• Membrane systems are created from synthetics and are the most expensive because of the superior level of protection they provide. Essentially plastic mat sheets that you can cut with a utility knife, they provide an antifracture membrane and waterproof membrane all at the same time, once they are installed properly. They can easily wrap corners, which makes them ideal for shower surrounds, because they can carry around to the tub as well.

Paint-on Waterproofing

• The easiest to use are the paint-on waterproofing products. These waterproofing products are painted on with a paintbrush or a paint roller. As the liquid latex is exposed to air and evaporation, it hardens into a waterproof layer of latex that is adhered to the installation surface. It is the same type of protection that the waterproof substrates use, but it is painted on after the fact rather than coming prepared that way.