Leave Gap Tile Shower Wall
This makes the corner joint less noticeable and more aesthetically pleasing.
Leave gap tile shower wall. Here s how to install shower wall tile after you ve prepped the area. Most tile have a recommended grout that works well with them so check your. If your gap is smaller than 1 8 inch in width use regular caulk. Once the thinset has dried for 24 hours remove the spacers and prepare the wall for grout.
Or fill the gap with grout. Some like to use a ledger or other space saver to indicate where your missing row should be. Make sure that you leave a 1 4 inch expansion gap at the bottom. Never fill this gap with grout because tile grout is not flexible.
Then the base to tile interface should be caulked with a mildew resistant caulkk like dap tub and tile caulk but you need to leave a gap in it along each wall about 1 4 wide or so as a drain for any water the gets in behind there throught the grout joints so it does not build up and go stagnant or eventually overtop the base lip. By the way we highly recommend tiling the main shower wall then the side walls. Caulking is the best choice for this application. Fill gaps larger than 1 8 inch.
If you have tile on the wall adjoining the tub select a caulk that matches the color of the grout. For example if tile is being set on the main shower wall then leave a 1 8 expansion joint between the tile edge and adjacent backer board. Instead fill it with an elastic material capable of sustaining the movement of the floor and the movement of the wall.