Schluter Shower Part 4: How to Tile a Shower Pan...Penny Tile Tips

Today we discuss tips for how to tile a shower pan using penny tile mosaics. Sure, tile mosaics look amazing but they require attention to detail. So we share how to make installations much better.
if you're doing a bathroom remodel and need help, enroll in Home Repair Tutor's online courses at www.homerepair...
Tip #1 - Install pre-sloped shower pans over a flat and level substrate according to directions
Tip #2 - Waterproof shower walls and flood test the shower system
Tip #3 - Use the correct thin-set mortar, e.g. Schluter's ALL-SET, and NOT MASTIC!!!
Tip #4 - Pick tile mosaics with very little adhesive between the tile and mesh
Tip #5 - Choose the right trowel size according to the tile size, shape, and thickness
Tip #6 - Directional trowel thin-set mortar and achieve 95% thin-set coverage
Tip #7 - Leave an expansion and contraction joint between mosaics and the wall/shower curb
Watch our video for more tips on how to tile a shower pan using penny tiles
#howtotileshowers #homerepairtutor

[@KyleDearth]

FYI, if you use a 1/4" trowel you will be cleaning lots of thinset out from between the tile.

[@alfredcoates1422]

100% agree. Need a smaller trowel or knock down the ridges.

[@Titantitan001]

Schluter suggests not using 1x1 or penny tile I thought?

[@mofahrd4641]

OK - this is good - but penny mosaic tile is NOT easy to set and clean out all the thinset and definately NOT easy around the Schluter (or any) SS square. I'm working thru it w all these vids, committed LOL -

[@codyrobison6817]

Never ever use penny mosaics on a foam prefab pan either hopefully your not promoting that

[@kevco67]

I just wanted to say that I live all of your content! Keep it up! I also had a quick question... Would the tile nippers work well for 2 inch hexagon Mosaic? Or would you suggest something else?

[@sholman]

I was hoping for more information on how to lay the sheets so that the seams don’t show.

[@HomeRepairTutor]

if you can see the outline of sheets via thin-set then they're too far apart. As you set each sheet it doesn't hurt to stand up and get a different perspective.

[@chadhuffman5270]

why is it not recommended to use a mastic? I have started my tiling project. half way done. I have 4x12 porcelain tile. Penny tile bands. thank you in advance.

[@slickest145]

People swear you will be entering shower with a car . It will easy take the wieght of a person using penny tile. Stop exaggerating

[@AprilGarciaDfw]

Hi What are your recommendations for cleaning penny tile bathroom floors?

[@caroledevlin5185]

Watching shower fail video’s (by others), Penney tiles are a no-no for shower pans. Water penetrates, not good integrity, too mushy grout lines. Look it up!

[@HomeRepairTutor]

showers fail not due to tile but rather the waterproofing. Tile is not waterproof and neither is grout. You should reference the Tile Council of North America and not trust everything you see on KZbin

[@caroledevlin5185]

Home Repair Tutor Thanks for your feedback, great videos.

[@PKChangeForAfrica]

Heads up you can't or shouldn't install a tile that's smaller than 2"square on any ditra or kerdi foam floors.

[@bradroth2249]

Is it OK if you use epoxy grout? That or 3500 psi high performance grout is required for Hydro-Blok foam pans.

[@fotopdo]

That is only for Ditra, no limit for shower trays…. Schluter has commented on this in a few KZbin video comments.

[@turboflush]

What do you mean by the back covered in glue? Maybe cheap tiles get sloppy? I have had stickers on the back.. always remove them.

[@HomeRepairTutor]

excess adhesive that covers most of the tile surface area and prevents it from bonding to the mortar

[@goprobe_a_harmel6875]

Awesome, I’m doing the same penny tiles and this is very helpful. What kind of corner shelf is that and where could I pick one up?

[@pontevedra9639]

Too much information and way too fast!! Slow down man!!

[@russellradcliffe1306]

Shouldn’t use anything smaller then 2”x2” on Schluter pre sloped pans. Dry pac is the way to go.

[@yevgenikovelman3306]

Would 1/4 x3/16 V notch work?

[@williamschubach3489]

Do you recommend applying the silicone caulk BEFORE tiling the walls? Or after?or does is matter?

[@B11video]

Tip number 1 , don't install penny tile on schluter kerdi shower tray. Read the instructions please.

[@HomeRepairTutor]

their instructions have changed 👍🏼🔥

[@JM-vz8ui]

I called schulter and they said it was fine to use penny mosaics as long as you don't have a person on a wheelchair over it.

[@timtoolman6442]

I can clearly see lines @6:24 and at the end...nice try, failure tho

[@JorgeGonzalez1982]

Tim Toolman goodness you pedantic goof. They couldn’t still be in the middle of the tile job could they?

[@crash6674]

Dosent Schluter say not to use small tile on the foam shower pans?

[@HomeRepairTutor]

previously yes, but not anymore

[@robertrbriggsiii5461]

I've done penny tile on schluter base as per video... holding up well

[@Kodobro]

i have penny tile and somehow they screwed up the install. alot of the penny tile have released from the floor. i have splotches that no tile guy will fix

[@moneymakingmikeg.9555]

I have to figure out how to re phrase that you guys are just killin it with the knowledge!!! I can't resist the redundancy because you guys are droppin mad knowledge in EVERY video!! Dirty Jersey out!!!

[@HomeRepairTutor]

thanks man, we haven’t made an overview video like this in awhile. Maybe it would be good to do more of them 🤔

[@moneymakingmikeg.9555]

@@HomeRepairTutor yes!!!

[@staciegibson3875]

I have a rock floor in my small shower. My grout keeps faking off about 3 days after we use it. I have tried regrouting 3 times. Do you have any ideas for me?

[@RK_RX]

Did you use a sealant on the penny tile prior or after installations?

[@turboflush]

Mastic.. baaaad idea in moisture areas. Lol

[@HomeRepairTutor]

yes, lol...had to hammer that home

[@JustinMentionedIt]

1/4 trial didn’t ooze out the top ? Seems like it would make a mess

[@williammartin9450]

Schluter do not recommend using tiles smaller than 2" on their Kerdi shower bases. Anything smaller is usually thinner and cant support point loads over the foam base. These small tiles DO fail on Schluter bases. If in doubt call their tech support before installing!

[@codyrobison6817]

I just got into a heated argument with a guy on landberg tile tv channel in the comment section he said hes been doing penny rounds and pebbles for years on the foam pans and I told him that's a definite failure down the road you should always use mud pans and I gave my opinion on why i thought the foam pans were junk and a mortar bed is the better way to go he didnt agree and got all pissed

[@corbintileco]

That is not correct that only applies to ditra

[@williammartin9450]

I'm not interested in arguing about it but if you call Schluter tech support they will cover themselves by saying they recommend 2"x2". I've replaced 2 failed foam bases with 1" tiles so I can only speak from my experience but I only do 2"x2" as a minimum. There are so many variables can affect any installation.

[@corbintileco]

@@williammartin9450 that’s because there wasn’t the proper amount of thinset under them. Call them and you will find out there is no size limitation but a minimum thinset requirement of a bed of 3/16 mortar to achieve proper coverage and strength. Just look at the box they come in and you can clearly see you are wrong. I just spoke with my rep about this last week.

[@williammartin9450]

@@corbintileco Congratulations on being "right" 👏🏻 You must be a joy to work with and for.

[@annettepinto9451]

Can you show more examples with less talk?

[@erikaslt]

anette pinto yeah, go register and subscribe to their service.

[@K9388-n3z]

What if you got to remove a tile on Kerdi board for a repair….?

[@sevendust07660]

So you do silicon between floor and walls? Floor and curb as well?

[@elizabethselby8254]

Hi, wondering what you would do, or where you would caulk, if you're using base tile on the shower floor where it meets the wall. The tile I'm using is a "flat top with cove base."

[@Wiggles1]

You know your stuff dude. Thanks.

[@HomeRepairTutor]

thank you

[@stecjason]

awesome video! Subscribed. I'm buying the monolith nippers instead of renting a tile saw

[@parks2789]

😍👍👍👍

[@craigadams640]

Your videos are excellent and they have saved me headaches. Curious why no mastic on the shower pan? I have a pre molded pan (i.e.,Tile Redi) that I am installing now, and it calls for using their redi-poxy epoxy to bed the tile in. It came with the stuff. Is this a bad idea?

[@brookecasadelsol6464]

Hello! I am about to use marble penny tile on a bathroom floor and I'm not sure what to do in the doorway. The tile will butt up to carpet. Thanks!

[@MFaith777]

Put in a wood threshold.

[@seekthtruth]

ok ive been doing tile for years and i learned a lot right here

[@classicbluford]

What tile is that on wall of shower? Thanks. Great video.

[@milanroets9697]

I used these a few months ago. Grouting was more of a challenge then I thought it would be. Had to go back over it in spots a couple more times

[@SmittyFan]

Is expansion joint necessary on concrete slab?

[@ajmueller5871]

Hi! Can I do a clear resin or polyurethane on top of Penny tile? I have marble Penny tile floor but they stick out still after 2 regrouts. We want to have that ‘wet look’ on the black tile/black grout, but also give some protection from feet/knees when bathing our baby. Happy to Venmo you for the answer.

[@ajmueller5871]

@@MrAarobinson89 No, can’t take the risk of it ruins the floors. Stupid marble Penny tile was marked as wall/floor. But it’s mostly just a wall tile because it’s not rounded at the edge, it’s sharpe. Cost too much to risk ruining.

[@rickboerkoel9233]

I’m just not sure how quickly you respond, but my question is do you sanded or non-sanded grout when you grout penny tile?

[@spikefivefivefive]

Unsanded

[@AllBayEveryDay]

Sanded! Never use non sanded grout In high water applications. It will 100 percent of the time deteriorate over time.

[@blackpillrising3164]

Nice

[@samuely5892]

Is it recommended that you don’t back-butter penny tile before you lay it onto the thinset? You don’t mention this step at all and it looks like you didn’t back-butter. Can you address this point? Thx

[@CrzBonKerz21]

You’re also not supposed to install penny tile in schluter base.

[@guycleveland5946]

@@CrzBonKerz21 you're not?

[@CrzBonKerz21]

@@guycleveland5946 no, minimum tile size per schluter guidelines is 2x2”

[@iv__vibe1957]

Very thorough! Thanks

[@chrissimon8403]

Another good job boys!!

[@HomeRepairTutor]

thank you Chris, always appreciate your support!

[@Project_Cummins]

Great informative video

[@HomeRepairTutor]

thank you, hopefully the tips are helpful

[@Project_Cummins]

I do it for a living, it's always appreciated to see other ideas, and tips to do something better, and potentially other ways to do it. Love the channel!!!

[@HomeRepairTutor]

awesome! Always feel free to share your tips, we enjoy learning as much as sharing 👍🏼

[@alexill]

Could you use the Schluter shower pan in combination with a different brand for the walls? Like goboard or cement board?

[@HomeRepairTutor]

anything is possible but different materials most likely cancel Schluter’s warranty.

[@stecjason]

right off the bat, the tile is a medium gray, grey if you hail from the uk. but I like your immediacy - dude get to the point! you do that, and it's appreciated, knowing that longer play time is to your $$$ advantage.

[@mofahrd4641]

maybe not for this but i set black penny pan under white subway tile - any great link of grouting w 2 different colors? The Mosaic was on sheets and was not even, so it must be white where I want my black penny/trim/niche to be black

[@leeg1101]

Great video but I'm still so confused. How do I create a slope for the water in the pan to drain properly. Is that created with thinset?

[@erikaslt]

Lee Gibbs the pan has a pre slope built into it