I am building a bathroom in my basement and installing a corner shower (with a MAAX 36" neo angle base) The back wall of the bathroom is exposed cinderblock (painted of course). The three other walls are stud walls. The shower will installed at the intersection of one of the stud walls and the cinderblock wall. I am planning on using 1/4 hardibacker for the tile substrate on the walls, with 4mil poly sheet for the vapor barrier on the studwall side. I thought about attaching the hardi backer to the cinderblock with tapcons, however I am not sure how to do the vapor barrier. I have seen suggestions to add furing strips and various combinations of redgard, but that is not that desireable as I would like the shower wall to be as flush with the cinderblock as possible.

The floor is concrete, level and not cracked. All plumbing roughed in. Let me know if you need additional information.

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Steve

I would fur out the block wall and make them both flush.
attaching the Hardi to block isn't recommended.
after you build out your block wall with furring strips to match the other wall you can staple up the vapor barrier to the furring strips.

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- Brian -

www.ceramictec.com

Thanks Brian. Can I use 1/4 in furring? That way I get the hardibacker flush with the MAAX pan and have a minimal profile against the exposed block wall. How would you recommend dressing the exposed edge? Caulk (would be a little more than 1/2 inch)? Tile (wall is currently painted and I know that presents a problem).

Thanks a million.

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Steve

using regular screws you would have a hard time screwing into the Hardi, into the furring strip and hitting the block.
you would need Tapcon's again.

I dont know the style of tile you have selected. but there are trim pieces called "mud cap"
A-3602 6x6, A-4200 2x6 or A-4402 4x4

or maybe some travertine edging.

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- Brian -

http://www.ceramictec.com]www.ceramictec.com


Edited by Ceramictec on Sep 2, 2009 at 01:52 PM

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