Replies

1. 
   MGMaxwell | Dec 13, 2008 05:53pm | #1

   It's not new. There have been a number of threads here and at johnbridge.com with the subject. It has made shower/bath installs easier to do well for us DIY

1. 
   Scooter1 | Dec 15, 2008 06:27am | #14

   The Kerdi system will cost you about 30% more than a membrane shower.  Remember than in a membrane shower, only the lower 2 feet are membraned, the stuff above that relies upon the setting bed and tar paper and gravity for moisture control. 

   Good stuff, but it isn't Code here yet.  Regards, Scooter "I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow." WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934

2. 
   Henley | Dec 13, 2008 06:15pm | #2

   It is expensive tho.

   The drain alone $150.00

1. 
   ChipTam | Dec 13, 2008 07:51pm | #3

   I did one about 3 years ago and it worked out fine.  I would recommend the Schluter system.  The kit, which includes membrane, floor panel, curb, drain and  a few other assorted pieces, cost $500 (Can).  So, yes, it is a bit pricey.  The video helped a lot and the technical people at their 800 number were first rate (very knowlegeable).

   ChipTam

2. 
   DDay | Dec 14, 2008 02:33am | #4

   "It is expensive tho.The drain alone $150.00"It's certainly not expensive. Where I get it, the drain is $70 and the entire kit is about $400. For what you get, a simple, 100% waterproof install that is a cheap price.To the original poster, do a search here, john bridge and journal of light construction. The system is very easy and can be used basically any way as long as you over lap by 2". The only real learning curve is knowing how much of an area you can cover before the thinset gets too dry. I would recommend making your thinset a little wetter than normal. I have no complaints and will use it again for sure.

1. 
   Henley | Dec 14, 2008 02:45am | #5

   First of all, I'm using it and like it very much. It is the
   first method that seems like an actual system, rather then
   a pieced together cob job of materials.

   But, it IS expensive.The drain was $150.00 from Home despot
   two months ago.

   The kit's didn't fit my shower unless I bought the largest one.
   Can't remember the exact price but $700.00 seems to ring a bell. Is it worth it?

   Depends on the situation, of course. For mine it was $150.00 for the drain. Made my own curbs and
   pan.Then $300.00 for the Kerdi itself.

1. 
   Frankn | Dec 14, 2008 04:37am | #6

   First off I am a kitchen and bath remodeler. Probably do 10-15 baths a year.

   Have been using the Schulter system for the past 2 years. It is now the only way I will do a shower.

   As to cost the drain varies from 89.00 to 110.00. Money well spent.

   It is the best system out there in my opinion for ease of use and waterproofing

    

   Frank

    

2. 
   DDay | Dec 14, 2008 04:49am | #7

   Lay off the caffeine and relax.You are making a huge mistake by buying from HD, with anything like that they are VERY expensive and if you special order, good luck with that.You did not specify the size of the shower you did where you needed to buy the largest size but you may not have needed to buy that size. If you need an extra 6 inches, or whatever, you can use a smaller tray and do a mud bed for the extra area. Just use the slope of the tray and contine that. The company ok'd this so its not something that will cause issues.Also, try these guys for your supplies. I'ved used them and the prices are much better than what you pay and the cust service, etc was all very good.http://www.tileprotection.com/As for expense, in my area they traditionally use a copper pan then build a mud bed. A 3'x5' copper pan will run over $500 easily.

1. 
   Henley | Dec 14, 2008 05:08am | #8

   Easy guy's! I'm not upset, in fact I was trying to not come off
   negative. LOL I suppose this is part of the Kerdi story, so I'll
   keep playing along.

   I called the company looking for a local distributor.
   They looked up my area and told me HD was the only one for
   sixty miles.
   Yes I probably should have ordered it online.
   $150.00 was the price. The shower is a "Neo-Angle" design. At least similar
   shaped pre-fabs are called that.
   4'x5' inside dimensions with one corner truncated. Again, I LIKE THE SYSTEM VERY MUCH.

2. 
   DDay | Dec 14, 2008 05:24am | #9

   They are upstate from you, they should have some in your area now. Call the rep for your area, he or she will know much more than the headquarters.take care.

3. 
   andybuildz | Dec 14, 2008 05:35am | #10

   It's FAR from expensive if you weigh everything out and if you buy from the right supplier.

   I've done several including my own home. I JUST ordered more that's supposed to arrive on Monday for a fancy master bathroom I'm more then half way through now.

   Here's where I found the best place to buy it from http://www.tileprotection.com/home.php?cat=4&gclid=COfPsc6Hv5cCFQMnGgodNRifTA

   If anyone knows of a better place I'm all ears.

   The Kerdi base w drain is EXTREMELY fast to install if the sizes work for you.

   I was actually able to cut one side of the Kerdi base because I needed to. You just need to adjust your first course of wall tile if you cut the base some.

   The Kerdi drain is well under $100 w/the kit....even w/o the kit I think it's only $85

   Here's were I'm using the Kerdi this coming week. It used to be a big closet and tiny bathroom. I totally gutted the two room...reframed etc etc etc

   KERDI ROCKS!!!

   View Image

    

   View Image

    

    

    

   http://www.cliffordrenovations.com

   http://www.ramdass.org

    

   
   

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   Edited 12/13/2008 9:38 pm ET by andybuildz

   
1. 
   ted | Dec 14, 2008 05:32pm | #11

   No doubt from the feedback the product sounds good. But from a practical standpoint and counter to everything that has ever been said about drywall in a shower I can't believe they actually do that in their own demonstration videos.

1. 
   andybuildz | Dec 14, 2008 06:16pm | #12

   Because you actually can go over drywall. I've tested the stuff under severe conditions and it's bullet...I mean waterPROOF! doesn't mean I will go over rock in case the stuff punctures but I'd certainly go over some easy to use backerboard and as you can tell from my potos I still used Hardie. In my opinion I'd use Kerdi only where the majority of the water flows. Below shower head height. I think above that is a waste of money.

   In some cases I do just the pan (mud job slope) and fold it up the walls 6". In that case you don't even need the Kerdi drain. Like the one in my photos(not this post..the post prior). Fold the Kerdi right over the mud alongside the drainhole and thinset it in place then use any drain over the tiles.

   In my own house I see a drastic difference on the tiles between the shower I did and the one I didn't do with Kerdi. the one I did use it on I even use more and I see NO mildew or discoloration on the tiles/grout vs the other shower where it does get yucky looking (did I just say yucky???ugh).

   View Image

   View Image

   View Image

    

    

    

   http://www.cliffordrenovations.com

   http://www.ramdass.org

    

   Edited 12/14/2008 10:18 am ET by andybuildz

   
2. 
   DDay | Dec 14, 2008 07:14pm | #13

   "No doubt from the feedback the product sounds good. But from a practical standpoint and counter to everything that has ever been said about drywall in a shower I can't believe they actually do that in their own demonstration videos."The membrane is waterproof, not water resistant like durock et al. Because it is completely waterproof, using drywall does not matter since it can never get wet. You need to think differently than if you were using durock. And like someone else said, this is not new. It's been around the us for a years and in europe for decades. It is similar to what pex is in plumbing/heating. A better product that is faster and less expensive and performs MUCH better.If you want to use cement board, you can you just need to wet it some to keep if from drying out the thinset too quickly. They recommend drywall though since its less expensive and easier to put up.

   Edited 12/14/2008 11:17 am ET by DDay

4. 
   yojimbo2 | Dec 17, 2008 04:50am | #15

   schluter kerdi is the bomb. it is the only thing i use now.

5. 
   davidhawks | Dec 17, 2008 04:58am | #16

   Check out "small addition" in the photo gallery.

   Will try to find a link for you.

   Small Addition

   The best reward for a job well done is the opportunity to do another.

   
   

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   Edited 12/16/2008 9:04 pm ET by davidhawks

1. 
   wane | Dec 17, 2008 04:46pm | #17

   Kerdi is not the be all, end all, primarily because of the price, but also 'cause it doesn't play well with in floor heat, installing it under the membrane is bad for heat transfer.  As others have said probably not required on walls in allot of circumstances, cement board is enough.  I'll be trying a system from profixsystems this time, waterproofing adhesive is applied with a roller and membrane goes on top of that, and their heating system on top of that.  This is the only complete system from the same manufacturer where all the components are guaranteed to work together ..

   Edited 12/17/2008 8:46 am ET by wane

1. 
   Frankn | Dec 17, 2008 07:02pm | #18

   You are talking two different applications.Kerdi is used for shower/tub walls not on the floor.Ditra is used for floor applications. I do agree that installing the flooring heating system under the ditra seems to diminish the heat gain.I still use hardi with the heat system.Frank

6. 
   BillHartmann | Dec 17, 2008 07:13pm | #19

   And a couple of weeks ago they used it on Ask This Old House where they helped a HO do a shower.

   And if you look in the gallery there is a thread by Mongo where he shows a step by step installation using it. But he does not use the complete system.

   .
   William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
1. 
   Henley | Dec 18, 2008 02:25am | #20

   Miracles do happen!
   Home Despot left a message on the machine-
   My Kerdi is in and four day's ahead of schedule! Now if it's actually what I ordered....