Schluter shower pan installation is simple.
But there are several tips that make it much easier and I’ll share those tricks with you today.
This tutorial is a great one if you’re looking to remodel your shower or are in the process of doing it!
So let’s dive in.
Schluter Shower Pan Supplies
Here are the supplies used in this project:
- 38″ x 60″ Schluter Shower Tray
- KERDI-BAND
- 1/8″ x 1/8″ KERDI Trowel
- ALL-SET Mortar
- 1/4″ x 3/8″ Square-Notched Trowel
- Collmix X01 Mortar Mixer
- Preformed Shower Corners (aka KERDI KERECK)
- KERDI Membrane
- Mape 4-to-1 Mud Bed Mix
- Milwaukee 24″ Screed
- Wood Float
- Finishing Trowel
Don’t worry, you’ll see how to use all these supplies.
How to Cut Schluter Shower Pans
Schluter shower pans are all customizable. For example, you can cut down the tray to fit an existing drain. And that’s exactly what I did in today’s tutorial.
Also, the first 3/4″ of Schluter shower pans are flat. The reason is that the flat perimeter helps with setting vertical wall tile.
So I recommend cutting off the 3/4″ perimeter then trimming the shower tray to the desired dimensions.
Using either a table saw or a circular saw makes this easy.
Keep those 3/4″ strips for later on, as you’ll be setting them along with the tray.
How to Mix Thin-Set Mortar for Schluter Shower Trays
I always get asked about thin-set and what type to use for Schluter shower pans.
The best option is to use ALL-SET because it can be used to set any Schluter pan and to set tile.
In addition, you can mix half bags. For example, I weighed out 25 pounds of mortar and halved the water recommendation. Then mixed that per the instructions.
By the way, I love the Collomix X01 mixer, it’s an awesome tool if you’re mixing a lot of mortar
If you need to extend a Schluter shower tray, use deck mud. This can be mixed using sand and Portland cement or you can buy pre-mixed bags, e.g. Mapei 4-to-1 Mud Bed Mix.
Again, I mixed only a half bag of deck mud with 2 quarts of water. And that gave me the right consistency.
Using the X01 makes deck mud mixing a breeze versus hand mixing, although the latter is definitely possible.
How to Install Schluter Shower Pans
Schluter shower pans are fairly easy to install. You can install the drain prior to the pan, like in this tutorial, or at the same time.
Key ALL-SET into the substrate with the flat side of a 1/4″ x 3/8″ square-notched trowel. Add more thin-set and trowel it all in the same direction, i.e. toward the shower curb.
It’s important to hold the trowel at a 45-degree angle in relation to the substrate. This ensures the trowel notches are maximized.
Immediately set the shower tray and 3/4″ strips into the thing-set and walk on them.
This will properly embed the tray.
How to Install Schluter Shower Curbs
Once the shower tray is installed, you can add the Schluter shower curbs.
Remember, thin-set has to be applied to the shower tray edge, floor, walls (where the curbs are going), and the edge of the curbs.
Also, if you have two curbs being bonded to each other, apply thin-set to the edges of the curbs.
Then bond the curbs to the walls, tray, and floor and double-check they’re level.
Since I had two custom curbs, it was really important to ensure they were even with each other and level.
Once the shower curbs we installed, the next step was to add deck mud. Mapei’s 4-to-1 Mud Bed Mix was used to extend this shower tray.
This method is great if you want to cut the Schluter shower pan to make it fit around an existing drain. Plus, it’s fun to use deck mud and learn how to slope it properly.
How to Waterproof Schluter Shower Pans
Waterproofing is super important for any shower. And it can get messy with any shower system, so I wanted to share some helpful tips.
First, I recommend installing the backer board first so that you’re not walking on the tray.
Second, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations – don’t skip any steps. Not only will this ensure the shower will pass the flood test, but it’ll also give you peace of mind.
Plus there’s a specific sequence that I follow to make sure Schluter’s shower system is rock solid.
Watch this short video to see step by step how to install the Schluter shower pan from start to finish
What’s Next
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Cheers,
Jeff
Can you put deck mud over a waterproofed schluter pan?
I need to level it out and slope so water will drain
Hey Neil, the Schluter shower tray is already sloped. So you shouldn’t have to use deck mud. But if you need to extend the shower tray, then yes. Use deck mud to do that, allow it to cure, then you can waterproof it with KERDI.