Nice work on the shower! 4x4 ... lots of work and running bond pattern to boot ... good work

Thanks for the positive feedback. Primary concern is the WAF....

I had to google to see what "running bond pattern" meant...

Yes, I decided that anything that might be skewed vertically would be masked by alternating the tiles, the eye could not draw any vertical lines that way. It's working out pretty well.

Question on changes of plane, ie, wall to wall, floor to wall, etc. I decided to not use transition items such as Dilex, etc as I have a couple of 22.5 degree 3-way points (front of bench) that are not available so thought it best to not use anything.

My question concerns whether to grout or caulk these transitions. The book answer is the caulk, but it seems like all the pictures I see appear to be grouted.

Thoughts, please.

Factors to take into consideration have to do with framing construction, substrate materials, waterproofing application etc.

Yes, text book is caulking, but that's not to say hard grouting can't be done successfully. Depends on the above construction factors.

Thanks, Randall. I'll have think about it.

Redo time, the more that I looked at how the front of the bench was turning out, the more I didn't like it, so I pulled off the tile (and some kerdi, too)... If you look close, (one and a half tiles to the right of the diamond) was not looking good, you can see where the tile was not right, just looked like doodoo.






I did figure out the problem, though. Seems I put too many screws on the 1st drywall, and this is what bowed it in in the center... I started with this one until I realized it, so removed all except the outside screws.... I put the kerdi part way up the backside of the new drywall pieces and on both sides as well, so I should be ok.



Brought the kerdi around fairly tight...



Then I put the frontal piece on....



I have just enough kerdi left to do a drape-over from the top of the bench... I'm glad I ordered extra.

Where I see a potential failure in your redo is a the top of the bench (against the tile)where it meets the new front outside drywall pcs. I hope you bought some Kerdi Fix because that's what your going to need to seal that area. If you don't do that water is going to get into those new drywall pcs.

Good catch Randall.

As long as I stood there figuring this out, that was the one item I missed.

Yes, I have a tube that has yet to be opened.

Thanks again!

BTW the most help full site I have came across on the net THANKS! I have a question about a bench. This is my first post and first shower , so bare with me. I just finished the Kerdi on the walls, and I'm in the process of doing a water test. (I'll send pics soon)

So I decided I want a bench, and the tile shop guy said "Why don't you just put a marble bench in?" He said this bench rests sandwiched between two tiles that's back buttered in, and its not going anywhere.?? I'm 64 220 how is a marble slab not supported going to hold me or anyone?

Can I build a bench over kerdi, if so is there another thread showing how, or would this marble insert work?

Thanks!!

I've heard from several installers that have done what you are proposing and have had success with it. It's all about shear force, which is measured in pounds per square inch (or maybe in kilograms per square centimeter for those Canadians ;)). Your regular thinsets are going to be adequate to handle that load.

Having said all that, I can't get past the idea of putting a significant amount of weight on that bench, much like you are thinking. That's why I use these:

http://www.innoviscorp.com/better-bench.php.

While it's certainly better to have some solid wood blocking in place to mount the better bench, there are drywall anchors that come with the bench that can certainly handle the load. And since it's a corner bench, you can certainly hit the studs in the corner, and if you have a stud finder you can probably hit another one or two away from the corner.

There's a little mud work involved on the bench, and some waterproofing and tile work, but it definitely holds up well and matches well.

Problem i need solved. Bought a home depot drop in shower and the drain is 12 * 12. My existing drain from the old shower is about 1 inch out. How can i get the drain to align without doing extensive work to bust the floor up. I have very limited verticle to add 45 as the 2 messed up are at drain level of shower. Even with a street elbow i am too high.