Shower Room

[MissChaucer]

Hi All
What would be the best solution for the wall of a shower that has to adjoin an outside wall, if the property is such that the walls needs to be breathable please ? Is there a compromise between tiling a smallish area or washing in the sink
M

 

[LadyArowana]

Employ workmen from the Indian subcontinent, pay them a pittance and then there will be a nice air gap behind all the tiling :lol:

Sorry, I was of course being facetious and venting my frustration at my own less than ideal shower situation. Does the shower absolutely have to be in that position? Is there room to create a gap and a false wall of any sort? or could you just have a bath? I know someone here found a really wonderful tiny bath that didn't have a much larger footprint than a shower, a "tubby tub" IIRC I'm sure you will get some better advice than my ramblings when some more experienced members come along

 

[MatthewC]

Hi All
What would be the best solution for the wall of a shower that has to adjoin an outside wall, if the property is such that the walls needs to be breathable please ? Is there a compromise between tiling a smallish area or washing in the sink
M

I had that problem in my house four years ago. I was able to position the shower so that it was on an internal wall, but the bath needed some tiles on the external wall, as did the basin. I compromised and did half the wall with tiles. I've not had any visible problem but I always make sure that the room is well-ventilated after use whenever possible (i.e. I leave the door wide open!). I think the point is that a wall will breath to the exterior and, as there is no water getting into the wall from inside (and no faults outside with rainwater goods etc), it's quite happy.

Hence I would tile the minimum that is required for the shower, and leave the maximum exposed where possible - and keep it ventilated! Everything in life is a compromise, isn't it?

Matthew

 

[malcolm]

I've got a tiled shower against an outside wall and it doesn't appear to cause any trouble. Bathrooms tend to get very steamy so it isn't necessarily an advantage to have a breathable wall that will suck the steam up and become wet (on the first floor anyway). Good mechanical extraction (fan) that stays on long after the light has been switched off will dry the inside.

 

[Keithj]

I've also got a tiled shower against an outside wall. There's a good air gap in between, and the marine plywood frame for the tiles seems to be holding up OK (three years on).

 

[skier-hughes]

I also have a wooden frame between the shower cubicle and breathable wall.

 

[Penners]

I've got a tiled shower against an outside wall and it doesn't appear to cause any trouble. Bathrooms tend to get very steamy so it isn't necessarily an advantage to have a breathable wall that will suck the steam up and become wet (on the first floor anyway). Good mechanical extraction (fan) that stays on long after the light has been switched off will dry the inside.

I'm in the same situation, and I agree with everything that Malcolm says. The key is good ventilation.

 

[MissChaucer]

Thank you all for your replies
i will upgrade the fan to a larger size and intend relocating the shower against the chimney breast instead as this is brick and the other two sides will be waterproof plasterboard .... then the whole lot can be tanked and tiled. Thankyou also for the advice on tiling ... i think i will tile a modest area around the sink and leave it there.
Good wishes
M