Hi all,

I have some questions about fitting in a shower cubicle and the materials I'm considering for preparation and finishing. My bathroom currently has a bath with electric shower over. The bath's going and will be replaced by just a 900 x 900 shower tray and cubicle to make more room in what is currently a tiny bathroom.

Anyone like to cast their opinions on the virtues of Hardiebacker or Wediboard? I see from a layman's viewpoint, they do the similar job, but made of completely different materials.

Wediboard's website shows a massive list of products. Am I looking for Wedi-Tilebacker Building Boards? If so, is there a guideline thickness I need to consider for a shower area?

The website mentions "driving in plastic or metal dowels after the adhesive has cured". Are these there to help stop the foam being crushed should anything/anyone fall on to the finished wall (and rupture the tiling)?

As the material is foam based, how would a shower be firmly attached to the wall? Long screws seems a simple but too obvious a solution.

Any thoughts gratefully accepted.

Have done some research into this and is worth noting that Wedi Board and other 'waterproof' materials are, in fact, not waterproof. They delay the ingress of water through the wall but ultimately allow it to pass through without destroying the board.  Trad plasterboard or ply would deteriorate.

The key is the quality of the tiling as the first barrier to water, and the tanking of the area between the tiles and the board with waterproof tapes and resins.

P

Might be an obvious question, but if I opted for WBP/marine ply, I assume (I know, dangerous thing to do  ) the plaster comes off and I'd bond the sheet material directly to the brickwork, rather than plant straight onto the existing plaster?

Thanks for those comments.

Final question then. Fit tray first and tile up from the top edge of the tray. Or, tile first and butt the tray up to the tiles?