Hi,

The continuing saga of my bathroom...

I've installed a new shower tray and had been planning to simply continue the tiling from the rest of the room round and into the shower enclosure (in one corner of the room).  I then got thinking about what might happen a few years down the line if/when water eventually gets in though the grouting and soaks the plasterboard wall behind.

So,  I started looking at alternatives to tiles for the shower area.  There seem to be quite a few products to choose from; from solid sheets of resin type materials (Corian type of stuff), to laminated plywood and MDF and also lengths of plastic cladding which clip together to create the width required.

I decided that the cost of the resin or laminate options will be too great (it would cost me £200+ just for the shower area) so ordered a few samples of the plastic cladding.  Unfortunately, in my opinion (sorry if anyone reading this likes the stuff), it just looks really cheap and nasty (although it isn't particularly cheap) and I'm not convinced that the joins would actually be waterproof.

So, I'm back to sqaure one and tiling it again.

Does anyone know of any laminate products that are not too expensive (or any suitable alternatives)?

Failing that, is there anything I can paint onto the bare plastered walls before tiling (I know I would need to prime them anyway) to make them waterproof?

As usual, all suggestions gratefully received.

Jason,

Thanks for that.  I'll have a look at the BAL kit.  Don't want to start taking plasterboards out (you've no idea how long it took me to skim them in the first place!), so the tanking system sounds like the best bet.

Cheers.

Hi That's the way I wanted to go but the kit, if I remember correctly, added more thickness to the wall than I had available. Best applied instead of plaster I think but someone will know definitley. Luckily TOPPS took it back. I had to fall back on a basic waterproofer also BAL I think.  All down to having a guy in who was a jack of all trades and had worked for a contractor [who was less than caring] since he left school. Smokey brickie though to give him his due.

Quote:
Curses the kit I got said about 6mm thickness and that I could not afford - had to get the dremel to the enclosure sides as it was.

Weight really depends on the tile thickness and density but as long as they are 10mm or less in thickness you should be OK

I have not used the Webber tanking but have used their adhesives & grout on occasion without any problems.

Just read their technical details sounds about the same as the BAl kit but you don't get as much tape and no sheet membrain.

Jason

Cheers everyone!

Pelesheroes - I agree - I thought that CTD stocked all of BAL's stuff, but obviously not.  

Out of all the tile places around Newcastle I've tried over the past couple of years, they are by far the best.  I'll go in and ask what are probably stupid questions and they still don't take the piss!

Thanks for the tip on the new place in Newburn, although after I finish this bathroom I don't intend to go anywhere near any tile shops for a good few years!