REMODELING MY MASTER BATHROOM!
It’s exciting to dive into a bathroom remodel, but it’s also easy to feel overwhelmed by all the new products and methods available. You’re right that in the past, contractors typically used concrete board and traditional methods like rubber membrane and concrete for the shower pan. But over the last two decades, a variety of new materials and systems have emerged, offering more streamlined, efficient, and sometimes more durable alternatives.
Whether I do it myself or hire someone I think I will use one of the following systems.
Pre-fabricated Shower Pans (Linear or Traditional)
- Materials: Pre-sloped foam pans (like Schluter Kerdi-Shower or wedi shower systems), waterproof membranes.
- Process: These are a significant shortcut. You place a pre-sloped foam pan directly on your subfloor, install waterproofing (like Kerdi membrane), then tile the walls and floor. Many systems also have integrated drains.
- Pros:
- Much easier and faster than building a mortar pan.
- Lighter and easier to handle than concrete boards.
- Pre-sloped, so no worrying about getting the pitch right.
- Cons:
- More expensive than building your own pan.
- Less customizable than a traditional pan if you have unique space requirements.
Tiled Shower Pan with Custom Membrane
- Materials: Membrane (such as the Schluter Kerdi membrane or NobleSeal TS), pre-slope, mortar, tile.
- Process: Similar to the traditional method, but instead of using a rubber liner, you use a fabric-based membrane (Kerdi or similar). It’s waterproof, and the membrane is easy to install. It still requires making your own mortar bed.
OR...
Durock (Concrete Backer Board)
Durock is a cement backer board used primarily as a substrate for tile in wet areas like showers. It is made from cement and fiberglass mesh, providing a solid and moisture-resistant base for tiling.
Key Features:
- Material: Cement-based, heavy-duty, with a fiberglass mesh for strength and water resistance.
- Usage: It’s typically used on walls, but can also be used for floors in wet areas (though it needs a good waterproofing system over it, as Durock itself isn’t waterproof).
- Thickness: Usually 1/2" or 5/8" thick.
- Water Resistance: Water-resistant but not waterproof—must be paired with a waterproofing layer (like a membrane) for full water protection.
For more on these systems visit the company websites. I think you will be impressed. Aslo there are many videos on this on YouTube. Good luck!