Home Prep

The best tile layout starts with framing and rough-in plumbing. The wall-to-wall shelf was framed so that its height would establish at a full row of tile (no sliver cuts!). Likewise, the heights of the shower valve and the shower head are located where horizontal and vertical grout joints intersect. The subway tile on the long wall above the shelf starts with a full row of tile above the quartzite shelf and ends with a full row terminating at the ceiling. All of these details are determined before framing and rough-in plumbing commences. The details matter!

Please see comment section below for more photos, including a before photo. Thanks for looking.

For those who wonder why I tile the shower walls first and build the shower pan last, it’s because it allows me to utilize the space within the shower to mix thinset, place tools, and generally move around without harming a fragile shower pan. It allows me to contain an otherwise messy environment in an area that does not impact my clients. I have found over the years that this is the best method. Once the walls are done I can focus on the pan tile and grout and then be done with the project, allowing my clients to pretty much be the first ones to step around in their fancy new shower stall.