How Do You Tile a Shower Floor and Avoid Mistakes

Tiling a shower floor might seem daunting, but with the right preparation and steps, you can achieve a professional-looking result.

You’ll learn what materials to use, how to prep properly and install the tile like a pro.

Let’s dive in!

Materials Needed

Here’s a short list of the materials you’ll need:

• Tile of your choice (consider non-slip options for safety)
• Thin-set mortar
• Notched trowel
• Tile spacers
• Wet saw or manual cutter
• Grout
• Grout float
• Sponge
• Bucket
• Knee pads (optional, but highly recommended)

Let me explain a few of these materials because they can make or break your project.

First, I firmly believe 2×2 inch mosaics or 4-inch tiles are the best tiles for shower floor projects.

They make the tile shower floor installation a lot easier. And typically most shower drains are 4 inches. This means you won’t have to cut tiles at the drain, unlike with hexagon or large format tiles.

In addition, textured porcelain is terrific because it makes the floor slip-resistant.

Thin-set mortar is critical. Do NOT use mastic because it’s not as strong as mortar and will cause the tile floor to fail over time inside showers.

I use either Schluter ALL-SET or Ardex X5 for tile shower floors.

Trowel size should be selected based on thin-set coverage. For instance, the goal is to get 95% thin-set coverage between the tile and shower pan.

The general rule of thumb is to match the trowel’s notch size to the tile’s thickness. For instance, if you’re working with a 1/4-inch thick tile, a 1/4-inch square-notched trowel would be ideal.

This ensures proper coverage and adhesion of the thin-set mortar, leading to a stronger and more durable tile installation.

Most of the time I use one of these trowels:

• KERDI Trowel (for thin mosaics)
• 1/4-inch x 1/4-inch square or u-notch
• 1/4-inch x 3/8-inch square or u-notch

Here’s a Pro Tip,

Apply thin-set on a scrap piece of backer board or drywall. Hold the trowel at a 45-degree angle to maximize the notch. Then set a spare piece of tile, compress it with a grout float, and pull it. If the thin-set covers 95% of the back of the tile without excess mortar oozing from the joints, that’s the right trowel.

Spacers are critical for keeping mosaics aligned. I use either horseshoe shims (typically 1/16-inch) or Perfect Level Master Crosses to accomplish this.

In addition, I use spacers at the shower wall to create an expansion joint of at least 1/8-inch.

Those are some of the basic supplies you’ll need to tile a shower floor.

Installing the Tile Shower Floor

Here’s a short checklist that will help:

1. Mix Thin-set Mortar: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for mixing thin-set mortar to the correct consistency. It should be smooth and spreadable. In addition, mix a batch of thin-set that can be comfortably used in 2 hours or less. This reduces waste, keeps the thin-set creamy, and provides the best bond strength.
2. Apply Thin-set: Spread a thin layer of thin-set mortar on a small section of the shower floor using the notched trowel. The notches create grooves for the tile to adhere to. I recommend starting at the shower drain and ensuring the drain remains square with the shower walls. Again, apply thin-set by holding the trowel at a 45-degree angle.
3. Place the Tile: Start from the drain and set the first several tiles. Press the tile firmly into the thin-set, ensuring good contact. Pull the first tile and check that you have 95% thin-set coverage. When you’re done setting all the tiles around the drain, ensure the drain grate is 1/32 to 1/16 inch below the tiles. This helps the water drain properly. Continue setting the tiles into one quadrant of the shower. Then work your way into the next quadrant.
4. Spacing: Use tile spacers to maintain consistent gaps between tiles. And immediately remove any thin-set from the grout joints by using a toothbrush. After setting the tiles, take a picture with your phone. The picture will show if the tiles have equal grout joints or conversely, if you can see inconsistencies. Fix any inconsistencies and avoid seeing lines between sheets.
5. Let it Cure: Allow the thin-set to cure completely before grouting. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for curing time. Normally this timeframe is 24 hours but can rely on the temperature and humidity. The higher the humidity the longer it will take the thin-set mortar to cure.

Grouting Your Shower Floor

Grout is always tricky. Everyone has their favorite, mine is Laticrete Spectralock 1.

This is a premixed grout that has epoxy-like properties. I like it because it doesn’t require any mixing, has excellent color consistency, is stain-resistant, and if you miss a spot it’s not a big deal.

The only downside is Spectralock 1 is NOT cheap. One gallon will cost over $120. But that gallon will grout your entire shower and you’ll have very little waste if you do it properly.

Here are some tips for grouting your tile shower floor:

1. Dampen the tiles: Take a damp sponge and wipe the surface of the tile. You shouldn’t have any standing water in the grout joints. This lubricates the top of the tile and allows the grout to slide into the joints.
2. Apply Grout: Using a grout float, press the grout into the tile joints, ensuring all spaces are filled. Pack the grout joint by swiping the float at a 45-degree angle across the tile surface.
3. Wipe Excess Grout: Immediately remove excess grout by holding the grout float at a 90-degree angle across the tile surface. This squeegees the grout off the tile.
4. Follow Grout Directions: It’s common sense but many people ignore it – follow the grout directions. For example, you only have 5 to 7 minutes to apply Spectralock 1 and tool it. After that point, it’s critical to wipe off the excess with a damp sponge. Then 45 minutes later do a second cleaning with the sponge and microfiber cloth.

The benefit of using premium grouts is they frequently do not need to be sealed. And this cuts down on your maintenance over time.

Additional Tile Floor Tips

I can’t stress enough the importance of two things:

Patience and attention to detail.

This tile floor should last decades. Don’t rush the process. In fact, I dry-fit tiles to see how they’ll look at the shower walls and curb.

Furthermore, mixing small batches of thin-set mortar will reduce your anxiety. And it’ll save you money. Hence, the recommendation to only mix the amount you think you can use in 2 hours. This is especially helpful if you decide to cut the tiles as you set them.

Learning to tile a shower floor can be daunting. But I firmly believe anyone can do it with the right guidance. If you’re remodeling a bathroom and need an extra pair of eyes, I recommend joining our Platinum Membership. You’ll get detailed step-by-step videos as well as Personal Coaching from me. Tap the button below to check it out

Jeff