Just want some input on what people think about the Kerdi shower kits you can purchase? Looking at doing a shower remod for basement bath. How does the styrofoam base stand up?

Kerdi shower kits are great, provided your drain is centered, or close to centered in the shower. The styrofoam base stands up well, but does not easily modify to the variable pitch requirements of an offset drain. Personally I prefer to build a mortar shower pan, because I have done numerous ones I find it quicker and cheaper. For a DIY project the styrofoam makes more sense.

They will definitely hold up once the tile is on. I saw a picture of one with a forklift parked on it, and everything was still intact.

The benefits are relative ease and speed of installation. However, like Pete said, if your drain is off center, or you have to cut the tray down to fit your space, you've spent almost as much time as it takes to do a mud floor, and you've spent waaaay more money.

the trouble is not so much cutting it down to size, but the fact that when you do cut it you get an uneven pan perimeter height and have to cut the bottom row of tile.

Thanks for the information. I think I wanna try a conventional mortar bed but I need to do some more research. This is a basement application on slab. Any pointers on what I need to look for when starting? This site is very informative.

Just ask specific questions you may have. Look at the steps Harry has posted on this site including this: http://www.ontariotile.com/preslope.html Just skip the paper and lath part since he's showing a wooden subfloor. You would just spread thin set on the slab so the deck mud will bond.

Also see this: http://picasaweb.google.com/tile4youinc

Jaz