I am planning to tile the bathroom floor along with the walls and ceiling around the tub/shower.

I am using porcelain tile on the floor and ceiling and granite on the wall surrounding the tub/shower.

When mixing two different tile composites like this, is there anything in particular I need to consider when I lay down the tile?

Also, in what order should I lay the tile? Should I put the floor down first, the wall or the ceiling tiles?

Thanks, Brent

I would do the ceiling first, then the walls and the floor last. I could do this in a day but not if the floor went in first. You did not mention what you used for a sub floor but I'd go 1/2" Hardibacker or cement board. The walls and ceiling could be 3/8" Hardi. Use a good modified thinset under the backer if you are on plywood, unmodified if you are on concrete.

I would do the ceiling first, then the walls and the floor last. I could do this in a day but not if the floor went in first. You did not mention what you used for a sub floor but I'd go 1/2" Hardibacker or cement board. The walls and ceiling could be 3/8" Hardi. Use a good modified thinset under the backer if you are on plywood, unmodified if you are on concrete.

Thanks for the quick reply. Makes perfect sense to work top to bottom. For the walls and ceiling, I was planning to use 1/2" DensShield for my backerboard. I believe DensShield is Georgia-Pacific's version of Hardiebacker. Most likely stay with plywood for the floor. Do you think this we work well?

I would do the ceiling first, then the walls and the floor last. I could do this in a day but not if the floor went in first. You did not mention what you used for a sub floor but I'd go 1/2" Hardibacker or cement board. The walls and ceiling could be 3/8" Hardi. Use a good modified thinset under the backer if you are on plywood, unmodified if you are on concrete.

THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT TO DO

Really soild plywood may work OK for you but I use Hardiboard on my floor installations. Far more stable and better bite.

Really soild plywood may work OK for you but I use Hardiboard on my floor installations. Far more stable and better bite.


I went with the 1/2" Hardiboard after all. Last question, I'm using granite 12x12 tile on the walls around the bathtub. How wide should the grout line be? Can butt the edges together or should I space them farther apart? With granite I've seen it both ways.

Butt them tight or a 1/16 gap is best

I have not done granite on a shower, porcelain and ceramic only. I did a 1/8 grout line with stainless 2 part epoxy grout.

Make Sure You Get The Extra Part For That 2 Part Grout, They Are Sold Separately, And If Your Not Paying Attention You Leave The Other Behind,
If You Only Use 1 Part It All Turns Back To Sand.
It Was Neat To Watch All Your Grout Fall Out Of The Joints Though, First Time For Everything

I'm returning that all purpose 3 gal tub of mastic that Lowe's guy recommended.. I should use unmodified thinset mortar.. I am using 6x6 porcelain tile on 1/2 or 3/8 hardibacker screwed to the ceiling and surround in the tub.. I take it unmodified is good for tile to cement (hardibacker)board.. I'm going to get white or which ever shade closest to color of tile (almond in my case).. the subfloor is 5/8 plywood so I will use modified thinset for setting the hardibacker 1/2 followed by the manufactures screw instructions/fiber tape slightly spaced seems and go back to unmodified thinset (almond) for setting the 12x12 floor tiles. I think this is it?

JON123... You jumped into a thread from 2007. SOmeone may find it... but better to post your own question at ask button.. will put you at top of list for answers.

List the floor materials AND the wall materials and the sizes of tiles for floor AND wall. Then they can advise best.

I use modified thinset for between my hardibacker/plywood floor and modified thinset for my floor tile, too (1/4" notch trowel or larger for 12x 12 tile)... as far as the wall... I use omnigrip in a bucket... but I notice some of the experts here do not like it... soooo... wait for them to reply. I just want you to get the bast advise you can.

Again, repost question, be specific... keep in touch!
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Will do mass! And thank you again!

Will do mass! And thank you again!

Ballenger, first I just want to thank you so much for your help online. The main bathroom is complete and I must say it came out perfect 5 star right down to the plumbing work ( subbed that out for $1500 to local licensed plumber) he had his helpers renovate the old water feeds roughin valve/ drains etc. for a total of two days work! Figure 75 an hr plus some fittings/materials. But everything else I did and it all came out looking great! Would love to send a picture of my work here but not yet sure how or if it is allowed. Anyway as for tiling anyone must be certain all walls /subfloor are square /level and plum prior to using highly recommended hardibacker... For surround alcove tub shower.. In first order I started the ceiling tile (you best can start from the prelayed bullnose working the tile toward backwall... I use modified thinset mortar consistancy of toothpaste.. personally , I liked buttering each tile with a 1/4 notch trowel... ballenger by the way.. the cast tub I set in place using a car jack.. on tilt the cast was very tight so I made temp wall hosts to raise and hold tub horizontally to get it positioned.. slid the car jack center underneath and lowered her to position.certainly three men was needed.brother and the helper! Okay.. now after tiling ceiling... iI screwed a starter strip of 1x2 along a leveled pecil line around the three walls.. the pencil line drawn so that when running up to ceiling with 1/8 spacers the last whole tile completes wall to ceiling.. this means the cut tile is to perimeter of bathtub. I used modified sand grout for the italian rinalto stone tile.( no need for expoxy grouts imo) all inside corners and around tub I used matching color textured sand grout caulking ( 2 tubes did the 5x10 bathroom ) there is plenty more I can share too about tiling walls/floors.. I learn fast cause I am a handyman by trade :) may the peace of the lord be with all ,god bless all!