Would you recommend a thinset base for wonderboard when applying to a vertical surface. I.E. we are going to be surfacing a fireplace front. It will start with a 1 1/2″ face surround on the opening, tapers to 1″ aprox. 12” above the opening, then to aprox. 1/2 to ceiling. We are bringing the slate as used on the existing floor up to the ceiling.
Or would you just fir the wall out from the fp opening to the desired thickness, as it makes the various transitions, backed with a plywood substrate then the wonderboard/durock?
Any ideas or help would be appreciated.
Gary
Replies
Most manufacturers of CBU's will require thinset when the CBU is applied to plywood. Many folks do not believe that applying CBU's directly to studs and joists are a very good thing. The framing translates a lot of movement to the CBU and hence to the tile.
I would apply exterior grade plywood then apply thinset and nail the CBU to the plywood, not to the studs with 1.25" galvinized roofing nails.
Boris,
Thanks a lot! We've done a small amount of slate/tile installation work, generally flooring/countertops, so are not really proficent in all aspects of tile work.
Your response sort of echoed my existing thought on the subject--but Wasn't sure.
This job is an on-going re-model(2 1/2 yrs come next month) with lots of new construction added in i.e. we currently are building a guest house on the property. With a "carriage house" now in the design/plan stage. We've had some of our crew on site nearly the entire time.
The job is so small on the main house that I haven't been able to get a decent bid in from the regular tile subs we generally use and figured we (my crew ) could handle it--we have to follow the interior desginers plan for the fp .
Thanks,
Gary