Tile shower, floor and entry way!

[grantgoold]

Ok, I would like to get some real world experience with tile in a bus. I am looking at putting tile in the shower, bathroom, kitchen and entry way.  I have a standard wood floor foundation. Anybody done something similar and what kind of issues can I expect to have?  I see so many of the new SS with tile. Is it simply flexible grout?

Thanks

Grant
Sacramento

[Songman]

I like what gumpy did. He used a fiberglass pan and then did the walls and ceiling in tile. Check out his site.

[belfert]

Home Depot sells some plastic waffle type material to use under tile in place of cement board.  The tile guy used the same product in my house in 2001 and the tile is still in fine shape.

Somehow the plastic takes care of any flex and keeps the tile from cracking.

[Melbo]

I put tile in the shower and kitchen counter top

I used epoxy grout ( separate story )

We have driven short of 10 thousand miles and had no problem

Cement board backing and standard hi grade thinset grout.

I also did large tile one foot and larger.

HTH

Melbo

[Len Silva]

I think that the only real issue with tile is weight.

[HB of CJ]

Good questions.  We must remember that our Bus Conversions are subjected to more bumps, jolts, shakes and vibrations in 10K miles than a house in LA would experience from earth quakes....in ten thousand years.

If it can crack and leak, it will.  If it can be made lighter weight, then it must be.  If possible, it should be disassemableableable by the owner.  And....it should never squeak, creak, break, rattle or roll ever?  HB of CJ

[kyle4501]

If the substraight flexes more than the tile & grout can, you will get cracks in the grout & popped tiles.

One way is to use smaller tiles with a flexible grout. . .

Another is to make the base rigid & stiff enough, but that usually carries a weight penalty.

[JackConrad]

   We used 1" square tile (come in 12'x12' sheets) for the shower floor. Smaller tile means more grout lines, and better traction (less chance of falling). Shower walls are 4x6 wall tiles. Vanity top and backsplash are similar tile. Kitchen counter and backsplash are 4x4 wall tile. Bathroom floor and steps are 13x13 floor tile. Only tile to crack in 40,000 miles is one tile on bottom step. The electric step attaches to this bottom step under the ceramic tile and may have caused a flex that cracked the tile. That is the only problem we have had.  
  All floor tile was set using thinset mixed with latex admixture instead of water. All wall and counter tile was set using standard wall tile adhesive. Jack

[blue_goose]

I used 1/2" concrete board and standard tile with the same grout you use in a house.  From the door to the back of the bath.  Been there for 5 years and not a crack so far.  May be because the Eagle's ride so good.( had to say that)
Jack

[gumpy]

I like what gumpy did. He used a fiberglass pan and then did the walls and ceiling in tile. Check out his site.

Correction.  I used a rubber shower membrane and Hardiboard concrete backer board. I then used fiberglass tape on the joints, and painted on a flexible rubber waterproofing membrane. I used Italian mosaic glass tiles, and an acrylic admixture in the grout.

An excellent way to go. I love it. No cracks. No leaks.

craig