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Kerdi Board


Ceramic Tile Shower --- Schluter Kerdi Board

Building a shower, curb, niches and bench with Schluter's KERDI BOARD.

All work by: Harry Dunbar


Here is the bathroom we're replacing. We're going to completely gut this room right down to the studs and make all the changes with a fresh start.

James is removing all the plumbing fixtures before we demo.
Later that day here's what's left.

The left and back walls are exterior parged, block walls. I'm going to use a thicker Kerdi Board on these two walls and use 1/2" on the wall with the plumbing.
I'm using 1-1/8" thick Kerdi Board for the back wall. I'm using globs of white modified mortar simply because I have it available from previous work in another room.
Each kerdi board panel when installed this way can be pushed into the mortar to create a plumb and flat surface. (Only for walls)
Again with the next panel. It's good to try and keep mortar near the edge of each Kerdi Board panel so that seams are more secure.

The wall on the left is complete except for a filler strip. I want you to see the thickness of the panel. I used a Kerdi Board panel with a 1-1/2" thickness to accommodate the existing wall I'll be connecting to.

All the ceilings and walls in this house are lath and mortar.
Now I'll start fitting smaller pieces of Kerdi Board for my shower bench.
Each piece is fit together with unmodified mortar.
Haven't taped the shower bench yet.
Good thing too, because my customer decided to shorten the bench and have a smaller corner seat with a bit of an offset angle.
Changes are easy!

It was easy (and fast) to make the changes.
Can you imagine the extra work I would have had with a framed structure with backerboard fastened to the frame?
I've taped each seam of the bench with Kerdi Band using an unmodified thinset mortar.
I've used a 2"x4" to secure the plank floor before installing a strip of 2" Kerdi Board to make my curb.
I've relocated the drain and will be installing a Kerdi Drain.
The ABS pipe you see here is the vent pipe. I'm leaving it where it is and will still be able to accomodate the plumbing for this wall.
Plumbing is done. A bit more support will be added and then this wall is ready for 1/2" Kerdi Board.
The floor is secure with 5/8" exterior grade plywood and now I'm ready to build the mortar bed in the showerpan.
I've taken a scrap piece of Ditra to use instead of a slip-sheet and lath. It's easier and convenient and probably does a better job.
I've applied a skim coat of unmodified mortar to help fill the dove-tail pockets in the Ditra. This will help create a bond between the mortar bed and Ditra membrane.

Also, you can see that I've added 1 strip of 2" thick Kerdi Board over top the 2"x4" curb. It's bonded with modified thinset mortar and screwed into the wood.
Dumped in the Deck Mud.
Presto ... I have a showerpan ready for Kerdi membrane and Kerdi Band to all the Kerdi Board seams.
I've also installed Ditra to the main floor area using a modified thinset mortar.

The studs will have added support before I hang drywall.

Kerdi Board is a new product which will be available in North America sometime in April. The fact that it's new, and that I have never worked with it has me trying different ways of applying the product to my jobs. Other contractors may see something in my installations that they would have done different. Let me know what you would do differently.
   
   


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