What is the best way to install ceramic tile in a bathroom shower on the ceiling. Once you place the tiles, do they have to be supported until the thinset dries? If so, how have you done this?

I have never done this, although I have installed a lot of tile on vertical surfaces.

I think you would not need any extra support for porcelain tiles that are smaller in size. As in say 6" or less. For anything larger I would try to use maybe some type of jack system with a piece of plywood roughly the same size as the ceiling. It would be good to reinforce the plywood with some 2x4s so that the force from the jack is evenly distributed. Or use more than 1 jack point.

You should use a thinset mortar that you have to mix and as you apply the mortar to the ceiling (preferably you use hardi-backer as a sub-surface on the ceiling) make sure that you "work it" into the ceiling well so that it has a good contact with the ceiling. DO NOT SET THE TILE ONTO SHEETROCK OR GREENROCK.

I've done this... went to Wal-Mart, got some spring tension curtain rods. Put some scrap plywood over the tub; making the deck height just short of the length of the rods. I had 6 rods.

Took several days, have to be careful of them sliding around when U set the tension... used some small nails to hold them against the spacers.

Results were perfect.

Regards,
Stew

Spread thinset to cover 1 row , put 2 screws in the wall at the end of the row close to the ceiling, install 1 tile and push against the ceiling to create a suction, put in 2nd tile the same way. After 2nd tile is in put a screw through a fender washer in the grout joint, DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN, use a hand screwdriver once you are close to the tile. Repeat until you reach the end, add 2 screws at end wall before you install the last tile, ( use thin spacers between tile and screws on the wall. Once you get the hang of it , it will go quickly. Good luck.

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Originally Posted by Clear-Mind-Web

I have never done this, although I have installed a lot of tile on vertical surfaces.

I think you would not need any extra support for porcelain tiles that are smaller in size. As in say 6" or less. For anything larger I would try to use maybe some type of jack system with a piece of plywood roughly the same size as the ceiling. It would be good to reinforce the plywood with some 2x4s so that the force from the jack is evenly distributed. Or use more than 1 jack point.

You should use a thinset mortar that you have to mix and as you apply the mortar to the ceiling (preferably you use hardi-backer as a sub-surface on the ceiling) make sure that you "work it" into the ceiling well so that it has a good contact with the ceiling. DO NOT SET THE TILE ONTO SHEETROCK OR GREENROCK.

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Thank you. I think I am in for a big job!

This surprised me, you got 3 answers and none of what was said makes any sense at all. I think folks who know as much as you happened to come along. I install tile in baths all the time. Floor are the easiest followed by walls. Ceilings are the hardest but only on your neck and back. A tile, no matter the size, that is properly set in modified thinset will not fall. They get a little twist and hard push when you set them and that's all there is to it. The trowel needs to match the size of the tile. A large 12" tile needs a 1/4" trowel that leaves about a pound of thinset on the tile, it stick let all get out.

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Originally Posted by ballengerb1

This surprised me, you got 3 answers and none of what was said makes any sense at all. I think folks who know as much as you happened to come along. I install tile in baths all the time. Floor are the easiest followed by walls. Ceilings are the hardest but only on your neck and back. A tile, no matter the size, that is properly set in modified thinset will not fall. They get a little twist and hard push when you set them and thats all there is to it. The trowel needs to match the size of the tile. A large 12" tile needs a 1/4" trowel that leaves about a pound of thinset on the tile, it stick let all get out.

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Thanks--getting too many answers that are all different is confusing to a beginner!
TMM

Hey TMM:

No need for confusion anymore... Ballenger is the expert here! Listen to him. I've been installing tile for decades now and as he said, " A tile, no matter the size, that is properly set in modified thinset will not fall."

Good luck...

Mark

Thanks for the support Mark. It must be slow on the plumbing desk so we both found ourselves here. Its kind of related to bathroom romedling, right?

So glad to have you guys!