Waterproof MDF in the ensuite shower room with plywood

[diyobi]

Bit of a real newbie here but stuck on the following predictament, have stripped the shower room including 3 badly plasterboard walls which have been pulled out. The question is what to replace these with:-

Was watching put you money where your house is and noticed that they built a shower room from stratch doing the following:-

waterproof mdf > applied a primer > then put plywood on top and tiled.

That's exactly what I want to accomodate a 900 x 900mm curved quadrant shower.

Any advice from the experts here, really stuck for what to ask for when going into Wickes, etc, sizes.....

Help.

 

[Jasonb]

Don't use MDF not even external grade. The best method for the shower area is to fix aquapanel to your studs then tank with something like the BAL WP1 kit. For areas outside the shower just fix 12.5mm plasterboard to studs and tile straight onto that.

You cannot buy waterproof MDF, you can get moisture resistant MR which has a green core but will still swell if it comes into direct contact with water. Or there is External Grade MDF with a grey core, this has to be sealed on all faces and edges before it can be used in wet conditions but will deteriorate if water gets to the actual board. Your BCO will not be too happy with Ply or MDF either.

Wickes sell the aquapanel which luckily comes in 900mm wide sheets, just right for your quadrant tray.

Jason

 

[diyobi]

Many thanks Jason, just the type of info I needed pal, much obliged.

Presuming get the plumber to fix the thermostatic shower first then use the bal tank stuff? Oh and tank the floor then add the bal tank?

So much of a help coming on here

 

[Deluks]

There's also stuff called hardibacker, which I think is similar to aquapanel. You can get this from builders merchants, in which case it should work out cheaper than aquapanel.

Presuming get the plumber to fix the thermostatic shower first then use the bal tank stuff? Oh and tank the floor then add the bal tank?

Ask again, but in the plumbing section.

 

[Jasonb]

Yes, fix the mixer and run any pipework in the stud wall then fix the Aquapanel with a hole for the mixer, tape & fill the joints with tile adhesive then tank the lot. The floor anly really needs to be done if its a wet room. As its a tray tank down to the floor then use plenty of silicon on the sides of your tray to stick it to the wall, bead of silicon along the top edge, tile & grout then another bead of silicon.

Not so keen on the hardibacker, aquapanel can be cut like plasterboard, score one side with knife, snap and cut the mesh on the otherside. The Hardibacker needs sawing which is hard work and/or dusty.

Take a look at DJ's post here, should all become clear.

Jason

 

[diyobi]

Thanx Jason, got the aquapanels from Wickes today and starting tonight.

Much appreciated for assistance!
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