I'm putting in a tiled shower and planing for wheel chair access so I don't want a curb.

The shower area is 5 feet by 9 feet. The shower heads will be aimed across the 5 foot dimension about 2 feet from one end. The opening to the bathroom will be 32 inches wide located on the 9 foot wall at the other end from the shower heads.

I've selected an unglazed ceramic tile in 12" square size for the bathroom floor, and an unglazed 3 3/4" square stone tile with a grainy surface mounted on 12" square plastic mesh sheets for the shower floor.

I plan on locating the drain about 3 1/2 feet from the end where the shower heads are. I will pitch the mud base about 1/4" per foot. The floor surface will be lower than the bathroom floor.

How should I join the shower floor to the bathroom floor at the opening with no curb or saddle?

Will I have problems keeping the water in the shower with these dimensions and pitch?

Paul L

You should build a "speed bump" using your "deck mud". The speed bump will be the same height or slightly higher than the outer perimeter of the mortar bed on your floor.
Because of restrictions caused by this type of floor it isn't practical to use a liner. The best system for this floor would be the Kerdi drain and Kerdi membrane. It's a waterproof system which is ideal for handicap showers.

If you're joining the shower tile to bathroom floor tile, just cut a line across the existing floor tile where you'd like the join to be. A grinder with a tile blade works good for this. Remove the cut tile and install your shower tile up to it and grout.

Usually some water will splash onto the main floor area, but a 1/4" drop per foot slope will allow water to drain quick enough so as not to flood your floor.

Speed bump???? I don't think we can do a reverse curve with the tiles we have.

The shower tiles are about 3 3/4 square. If the pitch is 1/4" per foot how about if I just increase the pitch under the last tile to 3/8" per foot? Will that be steep enough?

I plan to establish the pitch in the first layer of mud which will taper from 2 1/2" down to 1" at the drain. The membrane goes on top of that. Then there will be a 2" layer of mud and the tiles.

Should I establish the "speed bump" under the last tile in the bottom layer of mud or the top layer above the membrane?

Is Kerdi a trade name for the drain fitting and the membrane? Home Depot does not stock Kerdi. They have some other membrane and drain fitting.

I was thinking of running the membrane out under the bathroom floor tile a little ways. Is this a good idea?

Paul

Here are photos of a job I'm just finishing up which might be similar to what you're trying to do.
There's a very slight bump going into the shower. It's over a concrete slab in the basement so I didn't bother using the Kerdi drain ... only the membrane.

There was already a slope to the drain but I had to pack a bit of deck mud to even it all out.




Kerdi is a product made by Schluter.
Their Web Site.

When it comes to independence in each day tasks for those who are elderly or have mobility concerns, the shower chair allows bathing without support from loved ones, friends, or other caregivers. A shower chair or shower stool is designed for use in a tub or shower for those who cannot stand steadily for several minutes.